Thickening Liquids With Xanthan Gum Powder

• You can make your own thickening gel from xanthan gum powder. First, try using products like SimplyThick and Thick-It. If they do not work, you can try this method.
• Homemade gel can work well, but recipes vary. You must test the thickness of your liquid using the IDDSI gravity flow test. This ensures that your liquid meets the medically recommended thickness guidelines. IDDSI stands for the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative. For more information, visit iddsi.org.
• We will give you IDDSI testing supplies if you want to make homemade xanthan gum gel for thickening. Please ask your feeding therapist if you need help.

Xanthan gum is a common ingredient in many foods like salad dressings, baked goods, sauces and gravies you buy in stores.

You can use it to make a gel that thickens drinks and other liquids for your child.

Find xanthan gum powder in many grocery stores or online.

• First, add the powder to water to create the gel. Then add the gel to liquids to thicken them.
• Buy a syringe at your local drug store or online to measure the xanthan gum gel. After each use, wash the syringe with soap and warm water. Do not use boiling water or the dishwasher. Heat can remove the measuring lines, so you will need to replace the syringe.

Please note that measurements below are in different units.

1. Mix 1 level teaspoon (tsp) of xanthan powder into 4 ounces (oz) of water.
2. Mix or shake well. It will still look lumpy after mixing. This recipe makes about 4 oz of gel.
3. Store mixture overnight in the refrigerator. It will turn into a smooth gel.
4. Throw away unused gel after 2 days. Do not use if it’s more 2 days old.
5. Figure out how much gel you will need each day. This is based on how thick your child’s liquids should be and how much total liquid they drink daily. For example, if your child is on a mildly thick liquid diet and drinks 20 oz of water a day, you will need 100 milliliters (ml) of gel.

1. Fill the syringe with the exact amount of gel needed.
2. Add the amount of gel based on the recipes below to 4 oz of liquid. Your child’s feeding therapist or doctor will tell you how thick to make the liquid.
3. Shake for about 10 seconds to combine the gel and liquid. Use a container with a lid, so you can shake it hard to mix it.
4. If you are thickening a liquid besides water, whole milk or PediaSure, talk with your feeding therapist or follow the recipe for water. Be sure to test it, so it meets the IDDSI flow test.

• We made these gel recipes using Bob’s Red Mill Xanthan Gum powder. We did not test gel made from other brands of xanthan gum powder.
• If you make gel with other brands of xanthan gum powders, you will need to test your liquid viscosity using the IDDSI gravity flow test.

See these IDDSI handouts for more information.

• Mildly thick liquids (IDDSI level 2)
  iddsi.org/images/Publications-Resources/PatientHandouts/English/ Paediatrics/2_mildly_thick_paeds_consumer_handout_30jan2019.pdf
• Moderately thick (IDDSI level 3)
  iddsi.org/images/Publications-Resources/PatientHandouts/English/ Paediatrics/3_moderately_thick_paeds_consumer_handout_30jan2019.pdf

• If your child is an infant under 12 months of age or has a significant medical issue, only use xanthan gum thickeners if a medical provider tells you to. For all other children, tell their medical provider you are using thickeners.
• Every time, wash your hands and the syringe before you make or use the xanthan gum gel.
• If your child does not tolerate xanthan gum gel or has concerning digestive symptoms, stop using it right away.
  
  • Call your child’s primary care or specialty provider for an urgent assessment.
  • Call your feeding therapist to schedule a follow-up appointment to talk about other options for thickening.