I started with simle things that wouldnt choke me like shakes and ice cream. The coldness helped and also had alot of calories plus with the tube feedings. A few times a week I would try dabs of other kinds of food like pasta in very small pieces, or slick foods that would go past the throat area fairly easily. Hamberger was hard becuase it would hang up.Saucy foods seem to be best. Pudding was also a treat. I am a year out almost to the day and thought i would never be able to eat again. Tastes are diffrent for me now, I used to hate rice and mushrooms and now i cant get enough. Be very careful of spicy foods....OUCH. good luck and be patient, easy for some to say I know, but it will come around. It might not be the same as before but adjustments can and will be made and life will begin to get back on track.