5 Best Pureed Meals for People with Dysphagia or Trouble Swallowing of 2024

If you’ve ever cared for a loved one with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, mealtime can be challenging. Even if your loved one sits upright and chews their food well, the risk of choking and other complications is high. 

Tired of worrying? Enter purees. These pre-packaged meals are easy to swallow and are packed with nutrition. Plus, their nectar-like consistency reduces the risk of coughing, choking, and aspiration.

What should I consider when making a meal for someone with dysphagia?

If your loved one has dysphagia, food consistency is the first thing to consider at mealtime. Thin liquids, like chicken broth, are easy to choke on, whereas thicker liquids, like gravy, trickle slowly down the throat and are less likely to enter the windpipe and cause choking. 

Do I need to make pureed meals from scratch?

That’s up to you! It’s easy to find puree recipes online, but in this article, we’ll focus on five of our best-selling pureed meals from Thick & Easy. 

A registered dietician creates Thick & Easy purees specifically for those with swallowing difficulties and/or diet restrictions. The purees are pre-prepared and don’t require any chopping or blending. Just open the box, microwave, and serve.

Which Thick & Easy purees are best sellers?

At Carewell, our five best-selling Thick & Easy purees include:

1) Thick & Easy Purees - Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots

Roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots is the definition of comfort food. Made with real white chicken and fresh vegetables, it’s no wonder this dish is a caregiver favorite.

Each meal is 250 calories and has 14 grams of protein. The mashed-potato-like consistency moves slowly down the throat, reducing the risk of choking. 

Key Benefits & Features:

• Takes one minute to heat up and serve

• Has a shelf-life of up to 18 months

• Sold in a pack of seven, 7 oz. trays

2) Thick & Easy Purees  - Turkey with Stuffing and Green Beans

If you or your loved one has difficulty swallowing, holiday meals may lose some appeal. What’s there to be excited about if you can’t have your favorite side or dessert?

Thankfully, the good folks at Thick & Easy haven’t forgotten about holiday meals. Our second best-selling pureed meal is turkey with stuffing and green beans. It’s the perfect holiday treat, with no basting or carving required.

Key Benefits & Features:

• Delicious, high-quality meal option that’s perfect for home care

• Packed with vitamins, protein, and fiber

• Mashed-potato-like consistency that’s easy to swallow

Pro tip: Make your pureed meals more filling (and nutritious) by adding freshly blended vegetables to the dish.

3) Thick and Easy Purees - Beef with Potatoes and Corn

Many people with dysphagia struggle to eat meat, especially beef. The stringy texture and high-fat content of some cuts require lots of chewing. If that sounds like something you or a loved one deal with, try this puree. 

Key Benefits & Features:

• Only 260 calories per serving

• Contains beef and beef broth

• Ready to eat after one minute in the microwave

4) Thick and Easy Purees - Scrambled Eggs with Potatoes and Bacon

Don’t let swallowing problems keep you from starting the day off right. This puree is the next best thing if you can’t eat regular bacon. It’s incredibly tasty and takes one minute to cook, and there’s no bacon grease to clean up.

Not a fan of the texture right out of the microwave? Family caregivers tell us that adding a dash of milk makes a big difference.

Key Benefits & Features:

• Made with natural ingredients, including real bacon, cheese, and eggs

• 14 grams of fiber in each serving

• Cooks in one minute

5) Thick & Easy Purees - Maple Cinnamon French Toast

Closing out our list of top five delicious pureed meals is maple cinnamon french toast. The pre-prepared product is a pudding-like consistency that’s easy to chew and swallow. It has traditional flavors, like cinnamon and maple, but our users say the spice isn’t overpowering.

Key Benefits & Features:

• Smells and tastes just like french toast

• Comes in a package of seven meals

• Shelf-stable for up to 18 months

Need help choosing pureed meals? You’ve come to the right place!

If you need help choosing pureed meals, our friendly Care Specialists are here to assist. Call (800) 696-CARE or send an email to support@carewell.com. The team speaks English and Spanish. They can answer your questions, alleviate your concerns, and help you determine the best product.