Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

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Eating and nutrition

Texture-modified food

Food prepared softer, smoother or more moist so it is easier and safer to swallow.

What it means

Changing texture rather than changing what the food is. Levels run from soft and bite-sized through minced and moist to fully smooth. There is an international naming system for them, so a recommendation means the same thing wherever it is followed.

Why you might hear it

  • A speech pathologist recommends a level after assessing swallowing.
  • Menus in hospitals and care homes are labelled by these levels.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.