A soft food diet consists of soft foods that are easy to digest and is commonly prescribed for patients who are transitioning from a liquid diet back to eating solid foods after gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.
Soft food diets prioritize foods that are easy to chew and digest, such as apple puree, cooked pears, mashed potatoes or squash, and shredded chicken.
Soft food diets should be done under the guidance of a registered dietitian who can adjust the diet based on health status and specific nutritional needs.
Foods to include
Examples of foods to include as part of a soft food diet are:
- Rice pudding;
- Mashed potatoes or plantains;
- Squash or carrot puree;
- Fruit juices or purees, making sure to remove the seeds and the skin and strain well before drinking;
- Milk, yogurt, and low fat soft cheeses (such as ricotta or cottage cheese);
- Fish and white meat, such as shredded chicken and turkey without the skin;
- Scrambled or hard boiled eggs;
- Tofu;
- Gelatin (Jell-O), fruit-flavored ice pops (Popsicles), fruit preserves, honey, and pudding;
- Butter, peanut butter, olive oil, and coconut oil;
- Sliced bread without the crust.
It is important to eat small portions of these foods throughout the day and to chew your food well to help with easier digestion. Make sure that food is well cooked and avoid lying down for 2 to 3 hours after eating.
A soft food diet is more appetizing and better tolerated when foods are separated on the plate instead of being mixed together.
Foods to avoid
Foods that should be avoided with a soft food diet are foods that are hard, raw, and high in fat or fiber. These include:
- Nuts: walnuts, pistachios, cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts;
- Seeds: chia seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, and sunflower seeds;
- Whole grains: whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole grain crackers, and whole wheat pasta;
- Red meat;
- Hard cheeses;
- Cured and smoked meats: sausage, bacon, linguiça, prosciutto, and hot dogs;
- Dehydrated fruits: raisins, prunes, and dried apricots;
- Legumes: peanuts, beans, lentils, green peas, and chickpeas;
- Foods high in fat: fried foods, sauces, chicken nuggets, ice cream, pizza, and frozen lasagna;
- Processed foods: packaged cookies, fast food, and cakes;
- Foods that can irritate the stomach: pepper, coffee, condiments, and alcoholic beverages.
Depending on the indication, a registered dietitian may also include other necessary restrictions like eliminating gas-producing foods like broccoli and cauliflower, for example. See foods that cause flatulence.
Meal plan
The following table is an example of a 3-day meal plan that can be included as part of a soft food diet:
The quantities and types of foods recommended in this meal plan may vary based on a person's weight and health status. For this reason, it is always recommended to consult a registered dietitian before starting this or any type of diet.
Diet indications
A soft food diet may be indicated in the following situations:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, such as bariatric surgery or gastric or intestinal resection;
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing due to inflammation, wounds, or structural or motor changes in the mouth or throat;
- Maxillofacial surgery;
- Esophageal or intestinal stenosis;
- Esophageal varices;
- GI infections like gastroenteritis or diarrhea;
- Severe developmental disability;
- Colostomy;
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
- Diverticulitis;
- Inflammatory bowel disease;
- Colonoscopy prep.
A soft food diet may also be recommended by a doctor or registered dietitian for people with conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), for example.
Soft food recipes
Recipes that can be included as part of a soft food diet include:
1. Bread pudding
Bread pudding is simple to make and can be used for snacks as part of a soft food diet.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon;
- 2 tsp sugar;
- 1 pinch salt;
- 1 piece of sliced bread, torn;
- 1/2 cup milk;
- 1 egg, lightly beaten;
- 2 drops vanilla extract.
Directions:
Combine the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl. Grease a mini cake pan with butter or oil. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture over the bottom of the pan and add the bread. In another bowl, mix together the milk, egg, vanilla, and salt. Pour the mixture over the bread and mix well. Place in a double boiler and cook for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pudding comes out clean.
2. Chicken vegetable soup
This creamy soup is easy to digest and can be eaten for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
- 3 medium potatoes;
- 2 cassava roots;
- 2 small carrots;
- 1 small onion;
- 500 g (1 lb) shredded chicken breast;
- Chives or parsley to taste;
- Olive oil to taste;
- 3 garlic cloves;
- Salt to taste;
- Grated cheese (optional).
Directions:
Peel and chop the vegetables. Add the olive oil and garlic to a pressure cooker followed by the chopped vegetables. Add enough boiling water to cover the vegetables and put the lid on the pressure cooker. Let cook for 8 minutes. Transfer the vegetables and broth to a blender and blend for 2 minutes.
In a pot, saute the chicken breast with the olive oil, onion, and salt to taste. Pour the blended mixture over the chicken and mix well. Remove from the heat and add the fresh herbs on top. If necessary, blend the chicken mixture in the blender as well before combining. Serve immediately with grated cheese on top, if desired.
3. Banana smoothie
Banana smoothies can be used as a cool, refreshing snack that also satisfies your sweet tooth.
Ingredients:
- 1 slice mango;
- 1 cup plain yogurt;
- 1 frozen banana, sliced;
- 1 Tbsp honey.
Directions:
Remove the banana from the freezer and let if defrost for 10 to 15 minutes, or place the frozen banana slices in the microwave for 15 seconds to make them easier to blend. Add all the ingredients to the blender or use a hand mixer.