ALS Eating Tips

Our In-Home Caregivers Can Make Mealtime Easier
Because of changes in the ability to swallow, a caregiver to someone living with ALS will need to assist with pureeing or modifying foods. In addition, the person with the disease should be sitting upright during mealtimes.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, causes muscle weakness and affects an individual’s physical function. This includes the ability to swallow and this difficulty can, in turn, lead to malnutrition and dehydration.
People living with ALS need to choose foods that are not only nutritionally appropriate but also have the appropriate textures.
For swallowing difficulties, the ALS Association recommends:
- Tuck the chin while swallowing
- Chew well and eat slowly—don’t eat in a hurry
- Swallow 2-3 times for each mouthful of food
- Avoid foods that are the most difficult to swallow
The team at Homewatch CareGivers® is aware that it may take longer
for someone living with ALS to eat a meal. In the early stages of the
illness, a person may need more time to prepare foods as coordination
skills decrease. There is the risk of aspirating (breathing in) food into
the lungs, and this can possibly lead to pneumonia in someone diagnosed
with ALS. This is one reason that someone living with ALS may opt for
a feeding tube to continue meeting daily nutritional requirements. It
is possible to continue eating solid foods after getting a feeding tube
since it is still possible to enjoy the taste of foods. A health care
provider can advise on the optimum time for an individual with ALS to
consider having a feeding tube placed.
The ALS Association provides a list of a high-calorie and easy-chew-and-swallow
recipes on their website. The list includes pancakes, quiche, lasagna,
soups, smoothies, and more.
Contact us today for more tips on eating with ALS, as well as information about our caregiving services.