Leena Watts
Thickening a diet drink can be done for medical reasons, such as for those with dysphagia, or swallowing difficulties, to prevent choking. There are a variety of thickening agents available, including starch-based and gum-based thickeners, which can be purchased commercially or mixed at home. Starch-based thickeners are easier to mix but are best consumed immediately, while gum-based thickeners can retain carbonation in drinks. Thickeners can be added to a range of drinks, from water to alcoholic beverages, and are available on prescription from healthcare providers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why thicken a drink | To prevent choking, especially for those with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) |
| Who should thicken their drinks | Consult a doctor, dietitian, or healthcare provider, but those with neurological conditions, weak esophageal muscles, or throat cancer may need to |
| Types of thickeners | Starch-based (e.g. corn starch, modified starch) or gum-based (e.g. xanthan gum, guar gum) |
| Commercial thickeners | Thick-It Original, Thick-It Clear Advantage, Nutilis Clear |
| Commercially thickened drinks | Available, but can be made at home with thickeners |
| How to thicken | Mix thickener into drink, stir, and serve |
| Beverage types | Water, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, milk, squash, cordial, fruit juice, smoothies, alcoholic drinks, nutritional supplements |
| Beverage temperature | Hot or cold |
| Beverage consistency | Spoon-thick or extremely thickened liquids will not drip off a spoon |
| Beverage carbonation | Carbonation will be lost with starch-based thickeners, but retained with gum-based thickeners |
| Beverage foaming | Some thickeners may cause foaming, so start with a larger glass |
| Calories | Thickeners add very few calories |
| Nutritional impact | Minimal nutritional impact, but check the label |
| Diabetic-friendly | Yes, but check the label for carbohydrate content |
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What You'll Learn
Starch-based thickeners
One common type of starch-based thickener is cornstarch, which is derived from corn kernels. Cornstarch is a popular choice for thickening sauces, gravies, and custards because it forms a translucent mixture rather than an opaque one. It is also a common ingredient in commercial thickeners like Thick-It Original, which can be easily mixed into hot or cold beverages. When using cornstarch as a thickener, it is important to first mix it with cold water or another liquid to form a smooth paste before adding it to the desired liquid.
Another starch-based thickener is potato starch, which is extracted from potatoes. Potato starch is gluten-free and is often used to thicken soups and gravies. Like cornstarch, potato starch must be dissolved in water before being added to the liquid to be thickened. Potato starch helps sauces remain translucent and is a good option for those with gluten intolerance. However, liquids thickened with potato starch should not be boiled.
All-purpose flour is another starch-based thickener that is widely used. It is made from wheat and is the most popular food thickener. Flour can be used to thicken a variety of dishes, but it tends to create a cloudier appearance in sauces compared to cornstarch or potato starch.
When choosing a starch-based thickener, it is important to consider the type of liquid being thickened, any dietary restrictions, and the desired consistency. Starch-based thickeners are generally safe for diabetics to use, but it is important to check the label for carbohydrate and calorie content. Additionally, starch thickeners can be used to thicken alcoholic beverages, but it is important to note that carbonation will be lost.
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Gum-based thickeners
Thickened drinks are a medical dietary adjustment to prevent choking in people with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia can be caused by a neurological condition, such as a stroke, weak esophageal muscles, or an obstruction. Liquids that are naturally thinner, like water, pose the greatest risk for choking and aspiration in individuals with dysphagia.
There are different types of thickeners available in the market, including starch-based thickeners and gum-based thickeners. Starch-based thickeners are easier to mix but are best consumed immediately. They may also cause carbonated drinks to lose their fizz. Gum-based thickeners, on the other hand, can retain carbonation. However, they may cause the beverage to "foam up," so it is recommended to start with a larger glass to allow for expansion and easy stirring.
Xanthan gum is a commonly used gum-based thickening agent. It is a powder milled from the dried cell coat of a microorganism called Xanthomonas Campestris, grown under laboratory conditions. Xanthan gum has a very stretchy structure, making it excellent for stabilising foams. It also has high viscosity at low concentrations, good freeze-thaw stability, and excellent stability over a wide pH range. Other types of gum-based thickeners include guar gum, gellan gum, and locust bean gum.
Xanthan gum-based thickeners are effective in improving the safety of swallowing and reducing aspiration. They are also superior to starch-based thickeners due to their better texture, cohesiveness, stability, and resistance to salivary amylase. Both powdered and liquid forms of xanthan gum thickeners are clinically safe and effective for improving swallow safety.
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a speech-language pathologist or a nutritionist, to determine the appropriate thickening agent and consistency for your individual needs. Different brands of thickeners may have varying viscosities, and it is essential to follow the recommended thickness for safe swallowing.
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Pre-thickened drinks
There are two main types of thickeners used in pre-thickened drinks: starch-based and gum-based. Starch-based thickeners, such as Thick-It Original, use modified corn starch as their primary ingredient. These thickeners are generally easier to mix, but they should be consumed soon after preparation. On the other hand, gum-based thickeners like Thick-It Clear Advantage and Nutilis Clear contain xanthan gum as their main ingredient. Gum-based options are advantageous when thickening carbonated beverages as they can retain carbonation, although they may cause foaming.
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Natural thick liquids
Thickened liquids are often used to help individuals with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) to prevent choking and aspiration. Thickened liquids move more slowly in the mouth and throat, giving the drinker more control and time to swallow safely and easily.
There are a variety of thickeners available in the market, and they all work well to thicken diet drinks. Thickeners can be either starch-based, with the main ingredient being modified starch, or gum-based, with the main ingredient being xanthan gum. Starch-based thickeners are easier to mix and are best consumed immediately after mixing. Gum-based thickeners, on the other hand, require more careful mixing to avoid clumping and must be mixed well to achieve a consistent fluid thickness.
Some examples of natural thick liquids that can be used to thicken diet drinks include:
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk is a naturally thicker liquid compared to thin liquids like water, coffee, or soda.
- Custard: Custard has a similar consistency to cream and yoghurt, which are naturally thicker liquids.
- Yoghurt: Yoghurt is a naturally thicker liquid that can be used as a base for smoothies or drinks.
- Milk: Milk is thicker than thin liquids like water and can be used as a base for milkshakes or added to coffee or tea.
It is important to note that the best thickness for your diet drink will depend on your individual needs and preferences. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or a speech-language pathologist to determine the appropriate thickness and products for your specific requirements.
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Medical reasons for thick drinks
Thickened drinks are often recommended for people with dysphagia, a disorder that affects the swallowing function. Thickened drinks are also recommended for those with swallowing problems, which can be caused by certain medications, or by age-related weakening of the swallowing muscles in the mouth and throat.
Drinking liquids can be more difficult than eating for people with these conditions because liquids move more quickly in the mouth and throat, making them harder to control. This can cause liquids to enter the lungs, resulting in coughing, choking, or more serious risks such as chest infections and aspiration pneumonia. Thickened drinks move more slowly, giving the body more time to direct the liquid toward the stomach, thereby reducing the risk of aspiration.
A Speech and Language Therapist, or a Speech Pathologist, will recommend one of three different thickness levels: mildly thick, moderately thick, or extremely thick. Mildly thick liquids, also called nectar thick or cream thick, can be drunk out of a cup. Moderately thick liquids, also called honey thick, are similar to milkshakes and are often eaten with a spoon. Extremely thick liquids, also called pudding thick, mousse, or extra thick, cannot be poured and must be eaten with a spoon.
Thickened drinks can be made by adding commercial thickeners to normal drinks. Commercial thickeners come in different textures and flavours, and can be purchased from pharmacies or medical suppliers, or online. Thickeners can be either starch-based, with the main ingredient being modified starch, or gum-based, with the main ingredient being xanthan gum.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to thicken a drink, including:
- Cornstarch
- Xanthan gum
- Guar gum
- Egg yolks
- Pre-thickened drinks or thickening products
It is recommended to thicken all your drinks to the thickness recommended by your Speech and Language Therapist. This includes water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juice, and alcoholic drinks.
Yes, all thickeners are safe for diabetics to use. However, different brands of thickeners may have varying amounts of carbohydrates and calories per serving, so it is important to check the label. Thickeners generally add very few carbohydrates or calories to beverages.
