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
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.
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→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→ 
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