Spotlight on: Thickened Liquids and Modified Texture Diets: Challenging the #Challenges

Abstract

The ‘thickened liquid challenge’, where for a period of time health care staff are encouraged to consume only thickened liquids, and subsequent challenges where participants consume only pureed food, have been popular on social media for many years. The #challenges have played a valuable role in highlighting the impact that thickened liquid and modified texture diets have on people. We suggest that recent posts on these challenges, however well-intentioned, show a shift from the original intention of encouraging staff to reflect on the appropriateness of their use. Some seek to promote empathy and awareness; some seem primarily performative. Encouraging staff to try such diets still has a role as a teaching tool for students or for those who doubt the impact of modified diets on intake of food or liquid or on quality of life. However, this should not be an end in itself. Use of modified diets remains unnecessarily high. The real challenge is changing current practice.