The soft food diet consists of foods with soft textures that are easy to swallow and digest.
Oftentimes, this diet is recommended as a transitional diet between the clear liquid diet
and a regular diet. This particular diet may also be referred to as a "gastrointestinal soft
diet."
Who Might Need a Soft Food Diet?
A soft food diet is often recommended to individuals recovering from surgery or gut issues. Ingesting foods that are friendly towards your digestive system may cut down on painful bloat that could be caused by high-fiber foods.
Individuals recovering from dental surgery should also consult their healthcare provider about the soft food diet. Enjoying soft foods may help speed up recovery and encourage proper healing.
Usually, soft food diets are followed for a short period of time, from several days to a few weeks. Adhere to the soft food diet for as long as your doctor recommends.
Two Kinds of Soft Food Diets
The two types of soft food diets are: mechanical soft diet and puréed soft diet. Foods that don't need to be chewed as much are included in the mechanical soft diet. This includes foods that are mashed, grounded, finely chopped, and puréed. The puréed soft diet is a more strict type of diet. Foods included in this diet are liquid or finely puréed foods that require little to no chewing.
Foods Allowed
Enjoy peeled, thoroughly cooked or steamed vegetables that have no seeds. Fruits should be peeled and baked, cooked, mashed, or canned, with their seeds removed as well. For protein, try flaky fish, ground meat, tender cuts, eggs, or tofu. Be sure to choose breads and cereals that are low in fiber.
Foods to Avoid
Leave foods that are high in fiber behind, as they can cause stomach discomforts. Hold off on eating nuts, seeds, and dried fruit for now. Avoid hard, fresh fruits, high-fiber cereals, wild and brown rice, and whole grain pasta. Skip beef jerky, bacon, and other meats that are difficult to swallow. Refrain from eating foods that are hard to chew like chips and jams with seeds, and remove carbonated beverages from your diet.
The Bottom Line
Eating a healthy variety of foods that contribute to a balanced diet is possible with a soft food diet. Presidio Home Care Aides can help you to grocery shop for the freshest ingredients for your meals and create meal plans and recipes that meet your health needs. Our team is trained in food safety and able to adjust flavors to your needs. Contact us today to lchat about care for your loved one.