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IDDSI Level 7

Easy to Chew / Regular

Everyday foods. Soft and tender at 7 EC; no restriction at 7 Regular.

What it is

Level 7 Regular is normal, everyday food with no texture restriction. Level 7 Easy to Chew is everyday food that is soft and tender, without hard, fibrous, or crunchy textures. Sizes are not restricted.

What it looks like

A normal plate, with tough/crunchy items avoided for Easy to Chew.

The official test
Level 7 Easy to Chew food testingWatch from Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust ↗

Easy to Chew: food should cut or break apart easily with the side of a fork or spoon.

Run the guided fork & spoon tests
Foods that typically fit
  • Tender meats and fish
  • Soft breads (assess individually)
  • Cooked vegetables
  • Soft ripe fruit with skins, seeds, and fibrous parts removed
  • Most desserts without hard inclusions
Products can vary by batch. Always verify with the IDDSI tests before serving.How to test →
Common mistakes
  • Treating 7 EC as “anything goes”. Nuts, crusty bread, and tough meat still fail.
  • Skipping supervision recommendations from your SLP.
Quick answers

Does IDDSI Level 7 Easy to Chew have a food size limit?

No. Level 7 Easy to Chew allows a range of piece sizes. The person must be able to bite off a safe amount and chew soft, tender food without tiring, and the food must break apart easily with the side of a fork or spoon.

Is IDDSI Level 7 Easy to Chew the same as Level 7 Regular?

No. Level 7 Regular has no texture restrictions. Level 7 Easy to Chew still excludes hard, tough, chewy, fibrous, stringy, crunchy, and otherwise unsafe textures. It is also not intended for someone with an identified increased choking risk unless a clinician gives specific written guidance.

Primary sourceIDDSI Level 7 Easy to Chew adult handout ↗
Source checked2026-08-12
Browse verified Level 7 products →
Level 7 answers and recipes
What IDDSI level is easy to chew?Easy to Chew is IDDSI Level 7, usually written “Level 7 EC” to separate it from Level 7 Regular. It is everyday food that is soft and tender, with no piece-size limit — but hard, tough, chewy, fibrous, stringy, and crunchy textures are still excluded.Plain answer→Is bread allowed on IDDSI Level 6?No. The IDDSI Framework allows no regular dry bread, sandwiches, or toast of any kind at Level 6 Soft & Bite-Sized. Bread can form a sticky, doughy lump that is hard to control in the mouth. For bread at this level, IDDSI points to its Level 5 Minced & Moist sandwich recipe, served with a filling that meets Level 6. Ask your SLP before serving any bread.Plain answer→What IDDSI level is a banana?A banana does not have one automatic IDDSI level. Ripeness, softness, preparation, and piece size all matter. For an adult on Level 6, a ripe banana may fit only after it is peeled, cut into pieces no larger than 1.5 cm, and passes the fork pressure test. A whole or uncut banana does not meet the Level 6 size requirement. Level 7 Easy to Chew has no fixed piece-size limit, but the banana still needs to be soft and tender and the person must be able to bite and chew it safely.Plain answer→Slow-Cooker Chicken & Mash4 hr 20 min · serves 4 · ends with the Level 7 check.Level 7 recipe→Tender Beef Casserole3 hr · serves 4 · ends with the Level 7 check.Level 7 recipe→Soft Vegetable Frittata30 min · serves 4 · ends with the Level 7 check.Level 7 recipe→Tender Baked Pear & Custard40 min · serves 2 · ends with the Level 7 check.Level 7 recipe→