How I Navigate My Culinary World.
A Journey of Taste and Texture.
Have you ever found yourself standing in the grocery aisle, overwhelmed by the choices, and wondering how to navigate the world of food after a life-changing event like head and neck cancer treatment?
I certainly have.
Let me take you on a journey through my experience with IDDSI, the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative, and how it has transformed my culinary adventures.
When I first heard about IDDSI, I was intrigued but also a bit skeptical. Why hadn't my speech language pathologist mentioned it? Why wasn't it a part of my post-treatment plan? As someone who developed dysphagia after cancer treatment, understanding food textures became crucial. The IDDSI framework, which categorises food from flowing like water to extremely thick or pureed, offered a new perspective on how I approached eating.
In 2019, the same year I underwent treatment, IDDSI was introduced.
Unfortunately, it wasn't recommended to me at the time, I doubt the ‘team’ were aware of it if I am being honest, it’s underfunded and we need to change that.
Fast forward to today, and I find myself swinging between different IDDSI levels daily. Knowing these levels allows me to respond to my eating needs effectively. However, it's not without its challenges. Recently, a blood test revealed low globulin levels, likely due to my limited diet.
It's a reminder that while IDDSI provides a framework, it's essential to ensure nutritional balance.
One of the most enlightening moments in my journey was asking for a barium test and having a speech language pathologist use a model to show me what was happening in my oesophagus.
As a visual learner, this was a game-changer. It helped me understand the different textures and thicknesses of the food and drink I was consuming.
The lesson here?
Knowledge is power. Understanding IDDSI and how it relates to food standardisation gives you a solid grounding when menu planning or shopping. It empowers you to make informed decisions, whether you're in your local supermarket or exploring new culinary adventures. I know I used it in conjunction with my chef and nutrition knowledge when hiking, when in a foreign country and with unfamiliar food. It is for me, (I dislike this term) but a literal game changer, visualising texture when selecting food - which is what we all do in the end. Why not have a system to help guide you.
I certainly found that so and I don’t believe it should be left solely to the benefit of SLP’s but be shared with HNC patients like you and me if for no other reason than to provide a start point on the long culinary journey back to some sort of reasonable eating life, if that’s been made available to you.
For those of you navigating similar challenges, I encourage you to explore the IDDSI framework. It's not just about survival; it's about thriving and finding joy in food again. And if you're looking for more guidance, check out my latest workshop, where I delve deeper into these topics and share practical tips for meal planning and shopping.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey.
Embrace the adventure, savour the victories. Life after cancer treatment is a whole new chapter, and with the right tools and mindset, it doesn’t have to only consist of the constraints of what you know.
Eat well.
Here’s my personal IDDSI Meal planner/ Food Shopping Guide
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