5 Ways To Use Thick-It Powder

Thick-It Powder is the world’s first healthcare food and drink thickening product. It debuted in 1987 and in the more than 30 years since has become a go-to ingredient for family caregivers, registered dietitians, and those with difficulty swallowing.

If you’re new to Thick-It Powder, you’ve probably wondered about the best ways to use it. Here, we explain what Thick-It does and provide 5 recipes you can use at home.

Thick-It Food & Drink Thickener, Unflavored

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Why Would Someone Need Thick-It Powder?

Thick-It Instant Food and Beverage Thickener is a cornstarch-based powder that changes the consistency of foods and drinks. It’s a must-have if you care for someone with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). 

Researchers estimate that 13.5% of people have dysphagia, but it’s most common in seniors. Unfortunately, dysphagia increases the risk of other health problems. For example, folks with dysphagia are more likely to choke, which can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and weight loss. Similarly, in severe instances, dysphagia can cause aspiration pneumonia. If food or drink gets into your loved one’s airways, it can result in a bacterial infection and chest inflammation. 

Thick-It reduces these risks by making foods and beverages thicker, so they’re less likely to present a choking hazard.

5 Ways To Use Thick-It Instant Food and Beverage Thickener at Home

1. Water, Juice, Milk, Tea, and Coffee

The most obvious way to use Thick-It powder is in your loved one’s drinks. 

Thickened drinks support proper hydration because they’re easier to swallow and less likely to cause choking. Plus, since Thick-It can be mixed into any beverage –– hot or cold –– your loved one doesn’t have to miss out on their favorite drinks.

Here’s how to mix Thick-It into a drink:

Ingredients

• Thick-It Powder

• 4 ounces (½ cup) of your loved one’s favorite drink

Instructions

• Pour 4 ounces (½ cup) of your loved one’s favorite drink into a glass.

• Pour the desired amount of Thick-It into the beverage and stir it with a fork or whisk while doing so. (Follow the instructions on the product label. The amount of Thick-It needed will depend on your desired drink consistency.) 

• Stir rapidly until the Thick-It dissolves.

• Before serving, let the drink sit. For water and juice this takes about a minute. Thicker liquids, like milk and nutritional shakes should sit for 5-10 minutes.

• Stir the drink one last time and serve.

For optimal taste and texture, encourage your loved one to drink their beverage within 30 minutes of preparation. 

Caregiver Tip: Only mix Thick-It Powder with noncarbonated beverages. Mixing Thick-It with carbonated drinks, like soda and seltzer water isn’t recommended.

2. Pureed Vegetables

A balanced diet is essential for good nutrition, but vegetables can be difficult to chew and swallow, especially when fresh. Making a puree and adding Thick-It powder provides a thicker consistency that makes mealtimes easier. 

Here’s how to use Thick-It to make pureed vegetables:

Ingredients

• 1 quart of fresh or frozen vegetables

• 2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons of margarine

• 3 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon of vegetable broth

• 2 Teaspoons of Thick-It Powder

Instructions

• Wash the vegetables and cook them until tender

• Place the carrots and margarine in a blender or food processor and mix until there are no large chunks or pieces remaining. 

• Heat broth to a minimum of 165 degrees Farenheit. Then, combine it with Thick-It powder, using a whisk or fork to mix until the powder completely dissolves.

• Let the broth and Thick-It mixture sit for one minute.

• Add the broth and Thick-It mixture to the vegetables and blend together until moist.

• Serve

Caregiver Tip: Moisture varies between fresh and frozen vegetables. You might need to use more Thick-It Powder to achieve your desired consistency.

3. Pureed Fruit

Fresh and canned fruit is refreshing and nutritious, but like vegetables, it presents choking risks. Happily, Thick-It can help here, too. A fruit puree is easier to serve and less likely to cause aspiration.

Here’s how to use Thick-It to make pureed fruit:

Ingredients

• 1-2 quarts of fresh, frozen, or canned fruit

• 5 Tablespoons - ¾ cups of Thick-It Powder (The amount varies depending on the type of fruit used. For instance, canned peaches require a lower amount, but more watery fruits, like cantaloupe and watermelon, need more). 

Instructions

• Wash fresh fruit, cut into bite-sized pieces, and place in food processor or blender. (If using canned or frozen fruit, simply empty the contents into the blender or food processor).

• Blend or process until the fruit is a puree consistency.

• Add the Thick-It Powder and continue blending or processing until smooth.

• Scrape down any fruit on the sides with a rubber spatula or spoon and blend or process for another 30 seconds.

• Empty mixture into a bowl and serve.

Caregiver Tip: If the mixture is too runny, don’t be afraid to add more Thick-It Powder. It often takes some trial and error at first to achieve the desired consistency.

4. Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs are a breakfast classic, but their runny texture makes them potentially dangerous for those with dysphagia. Incorporating Thick-It Powder into the egg and seasoning mixture before cooking adds volume and reduces the risk of choking.

Here’s how to use Thick-It when making scrambled eggs:

Ingredients

• 2-3 large eggs

• 1 ½ Tablespoons of milk per egg (whole, 2%, or skim is fine)

• ⅝ of a Teaspoon of Thick-It Powder per egg

• 1 Tablespoon butter

Instructions

• Mix the eggs, milk, and Thick-It Powder into a bowl. Let the mixture sit for 1 minute.

• Add the butter to a frying pan and turn on burner to medium heat.

• Pour the egg, milk, and Thick-It mixture into the frying pan, scramble, and cook.

• Once the eggs firm up, test their consistency.  

• If the desired texture, transfer to a plate or bowl and serve.

• If the eggs are too runny, add another pinch or two or Thick-It Powder, being careful not to overdo it.

5. Ice Cream (Really!)

Nothing’s more refreshing on a hot summer’s day than a bowl of ice cream. Sadly, many folks with swallowing difficulties avoid the sweet treat because it tends to melt quickly, increasing the risk of choking. Thick-It Powder to the rescue!

Here’s how to mix Thick-It Powder into ice cream:

Ingredients

• Thick-It Powder

• 3 ounces (¾ cup) of cold water

• Ice cream

• Blender

Instructions

• Mix the cold water with the desired amount of Thick-It Powder. (Look at the “usage chart” on the label to determine your desired consistency. In this case, extremely thick/pudding) 

• Rapidly stir the mixture with a fork or whisk until it’s smooth with no lumps.

• Let the mixture stand for 2-3 minutes until it thickens into a pudding-like consistency.

• Take the ice cream out of the freezer and let it thaw for 10-15 minutes.

• Scoop the desired amount of ice cream into the blender and add the Thick-It mixture.

• Blend the ice cream and Thick-It until the desired consistency.

• Pour mixture in blender into a bowl and refreeze.

• Remove from freezer when ready to serve.

Caregiver Tip: Mastering the perfect consistency takes some trial and error. Don’t be discouraged if you’re unhappy with the first batch. Working with a registered dietician or another nutrition expert can help you master the use of Thick-It Powder quickly.

Have Questions About Food & Beverage Thickeners? Contact Us!

Incorporating food and beverage thickeners into your loved one’s diet can be confusing, especially if you’ve never used them before. Don’t worry! Our friendly Care Team is here to help. They’re fluent in English and Spanish and available 24/7. Whether you have specific product questions or simply want to make sure you’re using thickeners correctly, we’re here to assist. Call (800) 696-CARE or email support@carewell.com.