Living with dysphagia or swallowing difficulties doesn’t mean you have to compromise on enjoying meals and staying properly hydrated. Food thickeners have become essential tools for managing these challenges safely, and the dysphagia community has spoken about their favorite products this year. Let’s explore what makes a good food thickener and which ones are worth considering for your needs.
What Is A Food Thickener?
A food thickener is a product designed to modify the consistency of liquids and soft foods to make them safer to swallow.
For people with dysphagia or swallowing difficulties, thin liquids like water, juice, or coffee can be particularly challenging and risky because they flow too quickly through the throat. Food thickeners solve this problem by transforming these thin liquids into thicker textures that move more slowly and give you better control during swallowing.
These products are used daily by millions of people who need help managing dysphagia, whether due to stroke, neurological conditions, aging, or other medical reasons. They allow individuals to safely enjoy beverages and maintain proper hydration.
Food Thickener Types Based on Textures
Not all food thickeners work the same way. They differ based on their base ingredients, which affects how they mix and how stable they remain in different food and beverages. Here are the three main types of food thickener:
1. Starch-based thickener
The first one you will frequently meet is starch-based thickeners, traditional options made from modified starches like cornstarch or maltodextrin. They’re generally more affordable and widely available, making them accessible for long-term use. They mix well into most beverages and foods, providing reliable thickening
2. Xanthan gum-based thickeners
Synthetic but highly stable products that thicken quickly and maintain their consistency over time. They work well with both hot and cold liquids and remain stable even in acidic beverages like orange juice or coffee. These thickeners provide clear results, so your beverages keep their original appearance.
3. Gel-based thickeners
This type of food thickener offers pre-measured convenience and consistent results every time. They’re particularly useful for on-the-go situations, dining out, or travel. The squeezable format eliminates measuring and mixing, making them ideal for quick preparation.
6 Favourite Food Thickeners Recommended by the Community
Choosing the right food thickener can feel overwhelming with so many options available, but you don’t have to navigate this alone. These are some most favourite food thickeners tested and trusted by a lot of people with dysphagia:
1. SimplyThick EasyMix Gel Thickener
SimplyThick uses xanthan gum as its primary ingredient, making it a gel-based thickener that works instantly. This product is particularly good for people who need consistent, predictable results every time. The community recommends it because it doesn’t continue thickening over time like starch-based products do, and it maintains clarity in beverages so you can still see what you’re drinking.
The gel format is ideal for individuals who struggle with measuring powder accurately or those with arthritis who find bottles easier to handle than mixing powders. While gel-based thickeners do cost more per serving than powder alternatives, many users find the convenience and consistency worth the extra expense, especially for on-the-go situations.
2. Thicken Up Clear Instant Food & Drink Thickener
This xanthan gum-based powder thickener lives up to its name by keeping your beverages clear rather than cloudy. It’s tasteless and odorless, which is excellent for maintaining the enjoyment of your meals. Compared to SimplyThick’s gel format, this powder gives you more control over the exact consistency you need, making it easy to adjust to your personal preferences.
The instant mixing formula means you won’t have lumps to worry about, and it remains stable in both hot and cold liquids. This versatility is particularly helpful with acidic drinks like orange juice or coffee, where some starch-based options might thin out slightly over time.
3. SimplyThick EasyMix Sachet (Honey and Nectar-Like Thickness)
For those who prefer portion-controlled convenience, SimplyThick offers individual sachets pre-measured for specific consistency levels. The nectar-thickness sachets create a syrup-like consistency that’s easier to swallow than thin liquids but still flows relatively freely.
The honey-thickness version provides a thicker consistency similar to honey, moving more slowly and offering more control during swallowing.
These sachets are perfect for dining out, traveling, or for caregivers who want to ensure consistent preparation every time. They’re particularly popular among users who need different thickness levels throughout the day, as you can easily pack exactly what you need. While the per-use cost is higher than bulk containers, the pre-measured accuracy eliminates guesswork and ensures you’re getting the right consistency recommended by your healthcare provider.
4. Thick-It Original Instant Food and Beverage Thickener (Non-Concentrated and Concentrated)
Thick-It Original is a modified cornstarch-based thickener that’s been a trusted name in dysphagia management for years, and many people in the community appreciate its reliability and widespread availability.
The non-concentrated version (the one with yellow packaging) is the original formula that’s been helping people for decades. It comes in a generous 36-ounce canister and works beautifully for those new to using thickeners. It mixes smoothly without much effort, and you can find it in most pharmacies, making it convenient when you need a refill quickly.
Meanwhile, the concentrated version (the blue one) is a game-changer for regular users. Because it’s more potent, you only need about half to two-thirds the amount of the non-concentrated version to achieve the same consistency.
Both concentrated and non-concentrated are kosher/halal and gluten-free. They work well with hot and cold beverages, and the taste impact is minimal. The powder format also gives you flexibility to adjust consistency to your exact preferences.
5. Purathick Natural Thickener
Purathick stands out for its focus on natural ingredients, using plant-based gums rather than synthetic alternatives. This appeals to individuals who prefer more natural products in their diet. The individual sachets make it easy to achieve consistent results, and it works reliably across various temperatures.
Compared to other options on this list, Purathick is particularly suitable for people who are sensitive to artificial ingredients or prefer cleaner labels on their food products.
6. Gel-Based Thick-It
This newer gel formulation from Thick-It combines the brand’s trusted reputation with the convenience of pre-measured gel packets. Compared to the original Thick-It powder (both concentrated and non-concentrated), the gel version eliminates mixing time and ensures consistency. You simply squeeze the desired amount into your beverage or food, no measuring spoons or stirring needed.
Is it better than the powder versions? That depends on your priorities and lifestyle. The gel format costs more but offers unmatched convenience and consistency, making it a favorite for busy days or when you’re away from home.
Use Commercial Thickener or Create It Yourself at Home?
This is a question many people ask, especially when managing dysphagia on a tight budget. The honest answer is that while homemade options like cornstarch, pureed fruits, or potato flakes can thicken liquids, they come with some real challenges. Getting consistent thickness every single time is tricky, and consistency matters when it comes to safe swallowing.
Commercial thickeners have been specifically designed and tested with dysphagia management in mind. They provide predictable, standardized consistency levels that align with what speech-language pathologists and dietitians recommend.
At the end of the day, choosing the right food thickener is deeply personal. What works for your friends might not feel right for you, and that’s okay. Give yourself permission to experiment with different food thickeners (whether it’s commercial or do-it-yourself) until you find what fits your lifestyle, budget, and preferences.
Managing dysphagia is a journey, and you deserve support every step of the way! Stay tuned to DysphagiaLiving.com for more practical tips, product reviews, and real-world advice from the community. We’re here to help make living with swallowing difficulties a little easier, one meal at a time.
