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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

Thickened fluids

Drinks made thicker with a powder or gel so they move more slowly and are easier to control while swallowing.

What it means

Thin liquids move fast and are the hardest thing to swallow when the throat is weak. Thickening slows them down, giving more time to close the airway. Levels are named on the same scale as food textures.

Why you might hear it

  • The level is specified by a speech pathologist rather than judged by eye.
  • It usually follows a swallowing assessment.

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.