Chula Researchers Reimagine Thai Food for People with Swallowing Difficulties

Eating should be a source of comfort, dignity, and joy—not fear. That belief lies at the heart of Happy to Swallow, a new cookbook developed by researchers at Chulalongkorn University. The book transforms beloved Thai dishes into safe, nutritious, and visually appealing meals for older adults and people with dysphagia. Featuring 52 easy-to-follow recipes, the book bridges cutting-edge nutrition research with real-life care, helping vulnerable individuals rediscover happiness at the dining table.

Building on the success of “46 IDDSI-Compliant Swallowing Practice Menus”—Thailand’s first cookbook developed under the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI)—Asst. Prof. Dr. Varanya Techasukthavorn of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, and her research team have taken the next step. Their latest publication, “Happy to Swallow: 52 Simple Recipes for Delicious Dysphagia Meals,” translates years of research on texture-modified foods into practical solutions for everyday life.

The book brings together carefully developed Thai main dishes, desserts, and beverages—each tested and refined in a kitchen laboratory—to ensure safety, nutritional adequacy, and enjoyment. Its mission is clear: to improve quality of life and nutritional status for older adults and individuals with swallowing difficulties, allowing them to eat safely while maintaining the pleasure and familiarity of traditional Thai food.

Key Highlights

• 52 Popular Thai Dishes—Reimagined for Safe Swallowing
  Forget bland purées and unappealing mashed meals. This book transforms Thai favorites such as rice porridge with pork and blood tofu, green curry, chicken soup, banana in coconut milk, mango sticky rice, and fresh fruit juices into dysphagia-friendly textures. Each dish is designed to reduce choking risk while preserving authentic flavor and an appetizing appearance.
• Complete and Balanced Nutrition
  Every recipe is developed by professional dietitians to ensure balanced nutrients and adequate energy intake—addressing malnutrition, a major concern among older adults and people with dysphagia.
• Accessible Ingredients, Easy Home Cooking
  The recipes rely on natural, readily available ingredients found in local markets, with minimal additives. This makes the book practical and accessible for caregivers and families everywhere.
• Fully Aligned with International IDDSI Standards
  All dishes comply with the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), the globally recognized framework for testing food texture and drink thickness, ensuring maximum safety for consumers.
• Bilingual: Thai and English
  With Thai cuisine widely enjoyed by international audiences, the bilingual format expands the book’s reach as both a culinary guide and an educational resource. It also supports care for foreign seniors residing in Thailand and enhances cross-cultural communication in healthcare and nutrition.

Research with Real-World Impact

Dr. Varanya explains that “Happy to Swallow: Volume 2” is part of a national research project examining the implementation of IDDSI-based texture-modified diets in hospitals across Thailand. The project is partially funded by the New Faculty Member/New Researcher Grant from the Ratchadapisek Somphot Fund, Chulalongkorn University.

“This book is more than a collection of recipes,” she says. “It is the outcome of research driven by a simple goal—to help older adults and people with swallowing difficulties enjoy eating safely again, especially familiar Thai foods. Proper texture modification allows them to receive complete nutrition, eat with confidence, and feel included in family meals rather than isolated.”

A Practical Guide for Caregivers and Health Professionals

Ultimately, Happy to Swallow serves as an essential handbook for caregivers, dietitians, and healthcare professionals who seek to provide meals that are not only safe and nutritionally sound, but also comforting and delicious.

“It’s about restoring smiles at the dining table,” Dr. Varanya concludes. “Safe textures, real flavors, and the happiness of being able to swallow with confidence—this is what Happy to Swallow truly represents.”

How to Access the Book

• Free download:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rDSsBxb4Vd_L3kTV2PXx-Nj3M2PYqpoP/view?usp=sharing
• Available for purchase:
  Facebook Page: Happy to Swallow
  https://www.facebook.com/happytoswallow/
• LINE Official Account:
  @dysphagiadiet.th

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