People who've had strokes often have problems with chewing and swallowing. Throat and mouth muscles may be weakened, or there may be damage to the connection between these muscles and the brain. Talk to the doctor or nutritionist about his specific needs. You can also follow these general guidelines:
- Serve soft foods cut into small pieces or chopped in a food processor. You can also add juice or broth to solid foods to make them easier to chew and swallow.
- If the person you're caring for tends to choke while drinking, adding a little powdered nonfat milk to liquids may make them easier for him to swallow.
- Avoid gooey foods like peanut butter, dry foods like crackers or popcorn, and chewy or very hard foods. Foods with tough skins may need to be peeled before serving.
