The ability to tolerate food across the continuum of sensory processing and development including sight, smell, taste, touch or texture, the ability to bite, chew and ingest food for intake and nutritional purposes. Swallowing refers to muscular movement transferring a bolus of food from the oral cavity to the esophagus.
(SOS Approach to Feeding, Pediatric Feeding Specialist, Pediatric Psychologist President, Toomey & Associates, Inc, 2010)