Eating and Drinking Aids
Cups, straws, cutlery and plates that make mealtimes easier for people with a weak grip, tremors, swallowing difficulties or the use of one hand. Shop online from NovitaTech in Adelaide, with delivery Australia-wide.
Which eating or drinking aid do I need?
The right aid depends on what makes eating or drinking hard. Start with the problem, then look at the aids that are designed for it.
| If this is the problem… | Aids that can help |
|---|---|
| Lifting a cup is hard, or you can’t hold one at all | Hands-free drinking systems: Tower and Journey |
| Shaky hands or a tremor | Handsteady Drinking Mug, two-handled mugs, the weighted Good Grips Coated Teaspoon |
| You can’t tip your head back to drink | Flexi Cup (cut-out cup), Dysphagia Cup |
| A weak suck, or straws are hard work | One-Way Straws, Select-Flow Valve, Bear Bottle Kit |
| Spills, or controlling how fast a drink flows | Two-handled mug with spout and splash lids, Sure Grip Mug, feeding cups |
| Mouthfuls are too big, or eating from a spoon is hard | Maroon Spoon, proSpoon |
| Sensitive teeth, or biting down on cutlery | Plastisol Coated Spoon, Good Grips Coated Teaspoon |
| A weak or painful grip, such as arthritis | Foam handled cutlery, Caring Cutlery Set |
| Eating with one hand | Manoy Contoured Plate, Scooper Plate, Non-Slip Mat, spread board |
If you have swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), talk to your speech pathologist before changing cups, straws or spoons. They can advise on posture, food textures and drink thickness, and which aids are safe for you.
Drinking aids
Drinking aids help you drink more easily, more safely and with less help.
- Hands-free drinking systems. The Tower Hands Free Drinking System holds a drinking tube on a flexible neck, so you can sip without lifting a bottle. It mounts to a wheelchair, bed or desk, and a check valve stops liquid flowing back down the tube. The Journey Hydration System is a simpler version with a bite valve and a 91 cm tube.
- Cut-out and dysphagia cups. The Flexi Cup has a cut-out for your nose, so you can drink without tipping your head back. The Dysphagia Cup lets you drink with your chin tucked towards your chest, and has a weighted base.
- One-way straws. A one-way valve keeps liquid at the top of the straw, so each sip takes less effort. Choose One-Way Straws, a Select-Flow Valve that fits most straws, or the Bear Bottle Kit for children learning to drink from a straw.
- Mugs for tremors and weak grip. The Handsteady Drinking Mug has a rotating handle that keeps the cup level. Two-handled mugs give a steadier two-handed grip, with spout lids to control the flow.
Cutlery, plates and bowls
- Feeding spoons. The Maroon Spoon has a shallow, narrow bowl that helps control the size of each mouthful. It is one of our best sellers. The textured proSpoon helps children move from puréed to textured foods.
- Coated spoons. Plastisol Coated Spoons and the Good Grips Coated Teaspoon have a soft coating that protects teeth and lips. The Good Grips teaspoon is also weighted, which can help with tremors.
- Easy-grip cutlery. Foam handled cutlery and the Caring Cutlery Set have thick, built-up handles that are easier to hold with a weak or painful grip.
- Plates and bowls for one-handed eating. The Manoy Contoured Plate and Scooper Plate with Suction Base have a high edge to push food against. Put a Non-Slip Mat underneath to stop plates and cups sliding.
For more detail on choosing cutlery and plates, read our adaptive cutlery and plates guide.
Drinking cups and mugs compared
A quick comparison of our most popular drinking aids.
| Best for | Capacity | Price (inc. GST) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tower Hands Free Drinking System | Drinking without lifting a cup; mounts to a wheelchair, bed or desk | Bottle options vary | From $79 |
| Flexi Cup | Drinking without tipping the head back; learning lip closure | Varies by size | From $3.95 |
| Dysphagia Cup | Drinking with the chin tucked; swallowing difficulties | 200 ml | $102 |
| Handsteady Drinking Mug | Tremors and limited hand movement | 250 ml | $49 |
| Mug with Two Handles | A steady two-handed grip; drinking when you can’t sit fully upright | 300 ml | $28 |
| Sure Grip Mug (temperature lid) | Controlling flow; the lid changes colour when drinks are hotter than body temperature | 200 ml | $48 |
| Feeding Cup, 8 mm spout (2 pack) | Semi-solids and thickened drinks | 250 ml | $26 |
Prices current at time of publishing. Check each product page for sizes and options.
Our best-selling eating and drinking aids
Order online for delivery Australia-wide. NDIS participants can pay with NDIS funds at checkout.
NDIS funding
NovitaTech is an NDIS registered provider. Most eating and drinking aids are low-cost assistive technology, and can often be funded from an NDIS plan when they support your goals. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can choose Pay using NDIS Funds at checkout.
Talk to your therapist
Speech pathologists and occupational therapists often recommend eating and drinking aids. If you have swallowing difficulties, follow your speech pathologist’s advice on which cups, straws and spoons to use, and on drink thickness and food texture.
For schools and care providers
Buying for a school, an NDIS provider or residential care? Order online for delivery Australia-wide, or visit our Hindmarsh showroom in Adelaide to see the range. Need several of something? Contact us.
Eating and drinking aids FAQs
What are eating and drinking aids?
Eating and drinking aids are cups, straws, cutlery, plates and other products designed to make mealtimes easier for people with a weak grip, tremors, swallowing difficulties, limited arm movement or the use of only one hand. They help people eat and drink more independently, with less mess and less help.
What is the best cup for someone with dysphagia?
It depends on the person, so ask a speech pathologist. Cups often recommended include cut-out cups such as the Flexi Cup and the Dysphagia Cup, which let you drink without tipping your head back, and feeding cups with a spout for thickened drinks.
What is a hands-free drinking system?
A hands-free drinking system holds a drinking tube close to your mouth, so you can drink without lifting a cup or bottle. The Tower system has a flexible neck that mounts to a wheelchair, bed or desk. It suits people with limited arm movement or upper body strength.
How do one-way straws work?
A one-way straw has a valve that lets liquid flow up but not back down. The drink stays at the top of the straw, so each sip takes less effort and less air is swallowed. This helps people with a weak suck.
What is the Maroon Spoon used for?
The Maroon Spoon is a feeding spoon with a shallow, narrow bowl that helps control the size of each mouthful. It is often used by children and adults with feeding difficulties such as poor lip closure or oral hypersensitivity.
What cutlery is best for arthritis or a weak grip?
Cutlery with thick, built-up handles is usually easier to hold, such as foam handled cutlery or the Caring Cutlery Set. Weighted cutlery can help if you also have a tremor.
Can I use NDIS funding for eating and drinking aids?
Often, yes, if the aid supports the goals in your NDIS plan. Most eating and drinking aids are low-cost assistive technology. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can pay with NDIS funds at checkout. If you are unsure, talk to your plan manager or support coordinator.
Do you deliver eating and drinking aids Australia-wide?
Yes. Order online for delivery Australia-wide, or visit our showroom at Hindmarsh in Adelaide.
Ask us about eating and drinking aids
Not sure which aid suits you or your client, or buying for a school or care provider? Send us a message and our team will get back to you.