Hetao Lu (Walnut Soup)

Why this works at IDDSI Level 3

Level 3 is moderately-thick, or liquidised — it can be drunk from a cup but is smooth enough to be eaten with a spoon, and it should drip rather than pour off a tilted spoon. There should be no lumps at all, because at this thickness a lump is easy to miss until it is already at the back of the throat.

At 2 servings this recipe delivers 6g of protein and 260 kcal per serving in about 20 min — worth knowing because protein intake, not calories alone, is what limits soft-tissue healing when chewing is restricted. Move up a stage on your surgeon's or speech-language pathologist's timeline rather than by how you feel on a given day: texture that is too advanced is the most common cause of pain, wound irritation and choking risk in the first weeks.

See all liquid-stage recipes →

See it made, or buy it nearby

Texture is hard to judge from written steps alone. Watching someone make it is often the quickest way to see how smooth “smooth” actually needs to be — and on the days cooking is too much, finding somewhere nearby that already makes it is a reasonable substitute.

What makes this easier

High-power blender, flexible recovery straws and 60 cc catheter-tip syringe. The recovery kit explains why each one earns its place, and what to look for when buying.

More liquid-stage recipes

IDDSI 1 · Liquid Mango Lassi Protein Smoothie Indian · 5 min Slightly-thick, sippable, easy on a fresh incision. 44.4g protein383 kcal ▶ 📍

IDDSI 2 · Liquid Silky Butternut Squash Soup Western · 20 min Mildly-thick, strained smooth — no bits. 6g protein210 kcal ▶ 📍

IDDSI 0 · Liquid Pho Broth Sipper Vietnamese · 15 min Thin, collagen-rich broth for early recovery. 10g protein120 kcal ▶ 📍