Flavour Confidence Starter Pack.
7 Day Challenge - Mini Guide
I was asked the other day, did you lose your taste buds?
The answer was “yes” and I said to my surgeon “I know where you live” so you best make sure I come out of this with the same flavour profiling I went in with!
I was joking of course (sort of).
You know I am a foodie and although I use to baulk at that term, I have come to be more forgiving of it as I age. Foodie for me really means I pay attention to the detail in food, what it does in my mouth, how it makes me feel emotionally and physically.
I am definitely not one of those people who only eat for sustenance, although I have changed my thinking on that ever so slightly with dysphagia.
When in Spain.
This morning I purchased a small white sourdough at my local cafe - it weighs the same as a small newborn, warm, soft on the inside and golden crunch on the outer.
I cut it into 3 sections and freeze two.
Spain taught me to grate a room temperature tomato and that lovely fresh pulp is piled on to toasted sourdough (easier toasted for me) but not before I rub a fresh garlic clove over the hot toast, drizzle with good quality grassy olive oil and then top with fresh tomato pulp. I sprinkle that with himalayan salt a tiny bit of sugar (dad taught me that trick) and a little oregano and that my friends is a gourmet brekkie served with a piping hot cup of tea.
Grating tomato was a revelation for me, it does not remove seeds but it does remove the more worrying skin. (see image above) As I travel I am building a great library of food ideas for dysphagia.
I have my taste back and I pushed the boundaries to enable chilli (a little), vinegar, citrus and garlic back into my eating repertoire.
Here’s a 7 Day Challenge for you to start your journey if you are struggling.
If you read my previous post on “habits” you can start to incorporate that here too.
Food is more than just fuel; it’s an experience, a story, and a journey.
This 7-day challenge is designed to help you explore new textures and flavours, building confidence in your ability to enjoy eating again. Each day includes a theme, a suggested food or texture to try, and space for reflection.