IDDSI Level 4 (Puréed) Diets
Available Options
Chicken
Fish
Vegetarian
Indian Vegetarian
Level 4 Puréed diet
A Level 4 Puréed diet is intended for individuals who have significant difficulty chewing or swallowing. It helps prevent choking and aspiration by providing a smooth, uniform texture that is easy to manage in the mouth and safe to swallow.
Key Characteristics:
Food Texture
Completely smooth, cohesive, and lump-free.
Consistency
Should not be runny or liquid; should hold its shape on a spoon and slide off with minimal effort.
Moisture
Moist enough to swallow without chewing, but not so thin that it flows like a liquid.
No Separations
Food should not separate into layers (e.g., watery and solid).
Testing Method
Should pass the IDDSI spoon tilt and fork drip tests.
Examples
- Pureed chicken, fish, beef, tofu
- Scrambled eggs (blended with milk or sauce)
- Pureed rice or porridge
- Blended mashed potatoes with gravy
- Pureed pasta with sauce
- Well-cooked and blended vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, spinach
- Smooth fruit purees like banana, applesauce, mango
- Pureed soups (no chunks)
- Custard, mousse, pudding (smooth only)
This diet is commonly used in hospitals, long-term care, or home settings for patients recovering from strokes, surgeries, or living with neurological or swallowing disorders.