Hi Susan, it depends on how much water you add to the rice when cooking. If it is soft, there isn't problem especially if I take a mouthful of rice with other food like melon or soft veggies. If the rice is a bit 'hard', I may need to take some sauce or soup to get it down. I did have problem when I was still fresh from radiation and so I had taken congee for almost 6 months. When I dine out now in Chinese restaurants and if they have both rice and congee, I still order congee. Easier to take.

Karen.