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Thick-It
Thick-It Clear Advantage Unflavored Thickened Water Mildly Thick 64 oz. Liquid
Package Count: 4. Thick-It Clear Advantage thickened water helps individuals who have difficulty swallowing to stay hydrated throughout the day. It consists of pure artesian mineral water and has no artificial sweeteners. This thickened water is...
$33.46 -
Thick & Easy
Thick & Easy Hydrolyte Lemon Thickened Water Mildly Thick 4 oz. Liquid Cup
Package Count: 24. Thick & Easy clear hydrolyte thickened water meets the special needs of individuals with swallowing difficulties like dysphagia. Because it contains xanthan gum and a hint of lemon, this drink offers an improved and refreshing taste...
$24.92 -
Thick & Easy
Thick & Easy Hydrolyte Lemon Thickened Water Moderately Thick 4 oz. Liquid Cup
Package Count: 24. Thick & Easy clear hydrolyte thickened water meets the special needs of individuals with swallowing difficulties like dysphagia. Because it contains xanthan gum and a hint of lemon, this drink offers an improved and refreshing taste...
$25.15 -
Thick & Easy
Thick & Easy Clear Unflavored Food & Drink Thickener Mildly Thick 1.4 Gram Powder Packet
Package Count: 100. Thick & Easy Instant Food & Beverage Thickeners are easy to use and safe for those with swallowing difficulties. Thicken all varieties of hot and cold foods and liquids to be enjoyed without affecting the taste.Mildly thick or nectar...
$43.62 -
Thick & Easy
Thick & Easy Hydrolyte Lemon Thickened Water Mildly Thick 46 oz. Ready to Use
Thick & Easy Hydrolyte thickened water meets the special needs of individuals with swallowing difficulties, i.e. dysphagia.Mildly thick or nectar consistency (IDDSI-2) as rated by the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Provides 100%...
As low as $13.75 -
Thick-It
Thick-It Clear Advantage Unflavored Thickened Water Mildly Thick 8 oz Ready to Use
Keep up your hydration with the beverages you enjoy with Thick-It Clear Advantage Thickened Water, Mildly Thick, Nectar Consistency. This easy-to-swallow, flavorless drink is made with pure artesian water and is ready to serve. Blend Thick-It thickened...
As low as $10.24 -
Thick-It
Thick-It Clear Advantage Unflavored Thickened Water Moderately Thick 8 oz Ready to Use
The Thick-It Clear Advantage Thickened Water allows individuals who have trouble swallowing meet their nutritional needs and stay hydrated. It's made from artesian clear mineral water and has no sweeteners added to ensure a pure taste. Thick It Aquacare...
As low as $10.41 -
Thick & Easy
Thick & Easy Hydrolyte Lemon Thickened Water Moderately Thick 46 oz. Ready to Use
Thick & Easy Hydrolyte thickened water meets the special needs of individuals with swallowing difficulties, i.e. dysphagia.Provides 100% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin C Releases 98% of available fluid after consumption Reliable...
As low as $12.90 -
Thick-It
Thick-It Clear Advantage Unflavored Thickened Water Mildly Thick 46 oz. Ready to Use
Stay hydrated while managing throat conditions with Clear Advantage Thickened Water. Mixed with xanthan gum, it has a nectar-level consistency to make it easier to swallow, and to prevent accidental inhalation. Thick-It AquaCareH2O thickened water is...
As low as $11.69 -
Thick-It
Thick-It Clear Advantage Thickened Beverage Moderately Thick Ready to Use
Oral hydration for the management of dysphagia. Enjoy it chilled, over ice, or freeze it into a cold, refreshing ice pop. Clear Advantage Thickened Beverages make a full-flavored accompaniment to any meal or snack.Moderately thick or honey consistency as...
As low as $10.34 -
Thick & Easy
Thick & Easy Unflavored Food & Drink Thickener 8 oz Powder
Thick & Easy Clear Instant Food & Beverage Thickener is a powder for individuals with swallowing difficulties. Added to comestibles, it creates appetizing-looking, swallowable food. Added to beverages, it creates clear, swallowable drinks.Thicken all...
As low as $11.40 -
Thick & Easy
Thick & Easy Unflavored Food & Drink Thickener Mildly Thick 4.4 oz Powder
Individuals with dysphagia can enjoy tasty, nourishing foods so they can remain hydrated and well-fed. Thick & Easy Clear Instant Food & Beverage powder thickeners are easy to use and make food and drink safe for those with swallowing difficulties...
As low as $21.44
Thickeners
Thickeners
Food thickeners are food additives — usually starch- or gum-based — that increase food consistency and make it easier to consume for people with swallowing issues, a condition known as dysphagia. Thickening decreases the likelihood of choking on or inhaling food or beverages.
While there are a variety of pre-thickened products such as nutritionals on the market, thickeners will work with any food or beverage. Food thickeners are available in powder and liquid form, both of which have unique pros and cons. What type of thickener you should choose depends on what you will thicken and your desired result.
Powder Thickeners
Powder thickeners may be starch- or gum-based and made from modified vegetable starch or methylcellulose gum. Powder products are more budget-friendly than liquid thickeners. These starch-based thickeners can change some foods and beverages' appearance and/or texture, though.
Starch-based thickeners
Gum-Based Thickeners - Xanthan or Cellulose Gums
Gel Type Thickeners
Xanthan gum is usually the core ingredient in gel thickeners, and the properties are similar to gum-type powders. They require whisking into liquid, and they will not continue to thicken when sitting. Unlike starch-based thickeners, they don't change the flavor of foods and beverages.
Liquid Thickeners and Pre-Thickened Products
Liquid food thickeners are more expensive than their powder cousins but are easier to use and are more versatile (they’re a better option for carbonated beverages, for example). Liquid thickeners will not affect the appearance of foods and beverages and will not impart a grainy texture. While pre-thickened products are more expensive than making your own, their sheer convenience can make them the best option for many people. In addition, pre-thickened products will be more consistent in quality than their homemade counterparts.
Benefits of ready-to-drink products
Drawbacks of ready-to-drink products
Food thickeners are food additives — usually starch- or gum-based — that increase food consistency and make it easier to consume for people with swallowing issues, a condition known as dysphagia. Thickening decreases the likelihood of choking on or inhaling food or beverages.
While there are a variety of pre-thickened products such as nutritionals on the market, thickeners will work with any food or beverage. Food thickeners are available in powder and liquid form, both of which have unique pros and cons. What type of thickener you should choose depends on what you will thicken and your desired result.
Powder Thickeners
Powder thickeners may be starch- or gum-based and made from modified vegetable starch or methylcellulose gum. Powder products are more budget-friendly than liquid thickeners. These starch-based thickeners can change some foods and beverages' appearance and/or texture, though.
Starch-based thickeners
- Mix them into virtually any liquid, though they will cause carbonated liquids such as soft drinks to lose their fizz
- May form lumps if not immediately and thoroughly mixed in
- It can be more difficult than liquid thickeners to mix into high-protein shakes or hot drinks
- May cause clear liquids to appear cloudy
- Can cause a slightly grainy texture when added to some liquids
- Most products take 1-3 minutes to reach desired consistency; check the manufacturer's instructions for your product
- May thicken more over time and are best when consumed right away
- Least expensive type of thickener
- Most products have a shelf life of up to 36 months if unopened; check the labeling for specifics.
- Safe for diabetics
- Modified corn starch is usually the thickening agent
- Can thicken foods; check manufacturer’s recipe
Gum-Based Thickeners - Xanthan or Cellulose Gums
- Xanthan gum is likely to form lumps when properly used
- It can be more difficult than liquid thickeners to mix into high-protein shakes or hot drinks
- May take up to 5 minutes to reach desired consistency
- Do not generally continue to thicken after 5 minutes, so it is possible to thicken liquids ahead of time
- Slightly more expensive than starch-based thickeners but more versatile
- Most products have a shelf life of up to 36 months if unopened (there may be some variation; check the specifics of the product you're considering)
- Safe for diabetics
Gel Type Thickeners
Xanthan gum is usually the core ingredient in gel thickeners, and the properties are similar to gum-type powders. They require whisking into liquid, and they will not continue to thicken when sitting. Unlike starch-based thickeners, they don't change the flavor of foods and beverages.
Liquid Thickeners and Pre-Thickened Products
Liquid food thickeners are more expensive than their powder cousins but are easier to use and are more versatile (they’re a better option for carbonated beverages, for example). Liquid thickeners will not affect the appearance of foods and beverages and will not impart a grainy texture. While pre-thickened products are more expensive than making your own, their sheer convenience can make them the best option for many people. In addition, pre-thickened products will be more consistent in quality than their homemade counterparts.
Benefits of ready-to-drink products
- Extremely convenient
- Do not require mixing — open and use
- Do not require time to thicken; pre-thickened products are advertised consistently right out of the box
- Will not change consistency over time
- Many popular products such as juices, milk, and even water available
- Options for pureed heat-and-eat meals and individual foods available
Drawbacks of ready-to-drink products
- Are more expensive than powder, gel, or liquids used to thicken your own foods
- Many products are not reheatable — heat may change the consistency
- Clear liquids may appear cloudy
- Consistency may be slightly thicker chilled than at room temperature