An excerpt from my upcoming book GULP. Taking A Seat Back At The Table After Head And Neck Cancer.

I will be presenting at the IDDSI Conference - Monday 20th October 2025.

Details here

Chapter 2

The Rosetta Stone: IDDSI

We Need to Talk About IDDSI: International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative

Transitioning from a PEG tube back to oral eating is confusing, scary, and fraught with stress and uncertainty. It’s not just about swallowing safely; it’s about rebuilding your entire relationship with food.

For many patients, eating more by mouth while maintaining weight and hitting nutritional targets is anything but straightforward. I discovered it involves your mind, your food, and your body - three elements that intertwine and rely on one another for success. I came to realise this firsthand as I stumbled my way through the chaos, trying to make sense of what was happening to me.

The Missing Conversation in Dysphagia Care

Caring for your thoughts, understanding your options for medical and allied health support, and getting your kitchen, shopping lists, and recipes aligned all matter. Add in the methods required to chew and swallow safely, and you’ve got a full-time job before you even sit down to eat.

I documented exactly how I transitioned from 15 months of no oral food - relying solely on my PEG tube - to eventually eating orally again (despite ongoing dysphagia) and completing an 800km hike across Spain, eating whatever I could find on the road.

That journey revealed something critical: Dysphagia is one thing, transitioning from PEG to oral food is another beast entirely, and for patients without a love of food, nutrition, or cooking, the hill is even steeper.

GULP will be available on Amazon and on my site - ensure you are signed up here when its live.

Eat Well.

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