Tips for Eating and procedure to eating for tracheostomy patients

Planning meals

Follow your diet instructions. Follow all diet directions given by your healthcare provider or speech therapist. For example, you may be told to not have certain foods or drinks that are hard to swallow.

Ask how to prepare your tube.

If you have a cuffed tracheostomy device, ask your healthcare provider if you should deflate it before you eat. Also ask if you should suction your tube before you eat.

Eat plenty of fiber.

This can help prevent bowel dysfunction. It can be a problem when you have a tracheostomy tube. And because you can't hold your breath, it can be harder to push so you can poop. Good sources of fiber include whole-grain foods, pieces of grain, fruits, vegetables, and beans.

Check your food with expiration dates.

You may not be able to smell when food goes bad. Your sense of smell may be affected by the tracheostomy. This is because you are mainly breathing through your neck, not your nose.

Safety when eating

Eat carefully. When eating

Sit up straight.

Take small bites.

Eat slowly.

Chew food well before you swallow.