Every bite helps. I eat my hamburger rare, had one last Ning, as a well as other fatty cut meat, med rare, if that. If cooked too much, it's difficult to swallow, unless stew type meats, chuck, flank, oxtails, short ribs cooked for several hours. I still need plenty of water, but can eat most anything not over cooked, except vegetables, I don't like them raw or aldente, but cooked through so its easier for me to chew, swallow. Fat in oil, butter helps with taste and swallowing. Good luck.