May 2018

IN THIS BITE:
  • IDDSI addresses FAQs
  • Bread
  • The #IDDSIchallenge
  • Webinar Series
  • Translations
  • IDDSI on the Move
IDDSI addresses more Frequently Asked Questions
IDDSI has received many questions from clinicians regarding the use of the IDDSI framework when working with people who may need softer choices of a regular diet with no particle size restriction for reasons other than dysphagia where there is a risk for aspiration or choking.

Currently this food choice would fall under IDDSI Level 7/Regular with no particle size restriction as opposed to Level 6/Soft and Bite sized, which specifies particle size restriction. IDDSI Level 7/Regular includes normal, everyday foods of various textures that are developmentally and age appropriate. This may include hard and crunchy foods as well as those which are naturally soft.  Softer choices of a regular diet with no particle size restriction are often required in  residential or age-care facilities or in community.  

The IDDSI Board of Directors has had extensive discussions regarding this issue and a survey will be circulated in the near future to our IDDSI global community seeking a label for soft foods without particle size restriction.   Through these discussions, the IDDSI Board has determined the following guiding principles to consider when responding to our survey.

  • The IDDSI Framework is intended to be used for people with dysphagia, where there is a risk of aspiration or choking.
  • The IDDSI Framework is NOT intended for people without dysphagia or recognized choking risk.
  • The IDDSI framework mirrors previous/existing national dysphagia diets that define a particle size for ‘soft’ food to reduce choking risk. 
  • The determination as to whether a person has choking risk and requires “Level 6 Soft and Bite-Sized food” requires clinical assessment, decision-making and documentation.
  • There are some situations where people who do not have dysphagia or an increased choking risk might still benefit from ‘soft’ food. When there is no increased risk of choking, the particle size specification is not needed. Just as it is possible to order a therapeutic diet that involves specifications like “diabetic” or “renal”, we appreciate it is important to be able to order regular foods (without a particle size restriction) that are soft...

We encourage everyone to watch for and respond to this survey!!
What to do about Bread?
Bread is a food found in most places around the world and is often a staple in many people’s diets.  It is however a challenging food and as a general rule is considered a Level 7 regular food.  It requires the ability to both bite and chew and the literature on choking has often identified bread as a cause of choking. 


Finding a ways to still offer bread and sandwiches to those with dysphagia has been an ongoing dilemma.

There are a number of possible ways to address this and IDDSI would also like to share one of our newest resources – a video on how to make a Level 5 minced and moist sandwich (opens in a new window) :
The #IDDSIchallenge happens June 1-15, 2018
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Have you come up with a creative solution for the “bread dilemma” or any other IDDSI recipe? 

The National Foundation for Swallowing Disorders and the IDDSI present the first IDDSI recipe challenge as part of the National Dysphagia Awareness month. 
 
This contest is open to all individuals, families, healthcare organizations, corporations, students and any other creative chefs!  It offers an opportunity for you to show the world how you have been creating culinary delights using the IDDSI Framework.  Share a 1-minute video demonstrating your creation between June 1st and June 15th on social media using #IDDSIchallenge  for your chance to win a $100 and show the world that modified diets can be delicious.

For more information, including rules and judges, click here .
Missed our latest webinar?

No problem – we recorded it ! All our previous webinars are now available on the Resources page of our website, which takes you to our official YouTube channel .  We hope these videos will help supplement your education efforts on implementation for a variety of audiences/sectors. 
IDDSI Translations
Several languages are currently up for peer review. Please take a moment and see if a language you are fluent in is available for review. Check out out Translations tab.

Your comments, thoughts and suggestions are always appreciated!
IDDSI on the Move
  • May 2018, Dietitians Association of Australia National Conference, Sydney, Australia,
  • May 2018, Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, Adelaide, Australia
  • May 2018 – Nourishing Knowledge - Optimizing Nutrition in Continuing Care – Red Deer, AB, Canada
  • June 2018 – Dietitians of Canada Conference – Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • June 2018 –Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists – Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • June 2018 – Canadian Society of Nutrition Management Conference – Moncton, NB, Canada
  • July 2018 – Food Oral Processing Conference – Nottingham, UK
  • July 2018 – New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology Annual Conference – Hamilton NZ
  • Aug/Sept2018-Dietitians New Zealand Conference-Auckland NZ
  • Sept 2018- New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists Association Conference –Dunedin NZ


Please let us know what you are doing in your part of the world. We would be happy to share it with the rest of the world.
Connect with us on social media & let us know your thoughts!