A soft foods diet can support wellness and recovery when faced with certain illnesses and injuries, and after various surgeries and dental procedures. Opting for healthy soft foods can enhance nutritional wellness. Chilled soft foods provide valuable options if you're experiencing mouth or throat pain. Doctors may recommend soft, bland foods when diarrhea or nausea are present. Guidance from qualified health care professionals can help ensure that your dietary needs are met.
Soft Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide a broad range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants--nutrients that help prevent and fight infections and disease. When restricted to soft foods, you may find certain fruits and vegetables difficult to consume. Soft fruit options include ripe or mashed bananas, applesauce, baked apples, canned pears, canned peaches and fruit-based sorbet. Soft vegetable options include cooked broccoli, cauliflower, peas, winter squash and carrots, mashed potatoes, cooked or mashed sweet potatoes and canned French-cut green beans. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables daily for most adults.
Soft Grains
Grains provide glucose--the body's main source of energy. Bland, soft foods can supply glucose and support recovery from diarrhea, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Examples of bland, soft foods made from grains include instant rice, well-cooked enriched noodles, soft white bread without crust, rice pudding, grits, buttermilk pancakes and hot cereals.
In addition to glucose, whole grains provide rich amounts of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Whole grains are also low-glycemic, meaning they have a mild impact on blood sugar. Whole grain soft foods can support wellness and recovery in people with mouth injuries, long-term medical conditions and people recovering from certain surgeries. Examples of whole grain soft foods include old fashioned or steel cut oatmeal, well-cooked brown rice, well-cooked whole grain pasta, barley soup, whole grain pancakes and soft whole grain bread without crust.
Dairy Products
Dairy products supply protein, carbohydrates and vital nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D. The Duke University Health System recommends soft dairy-based foods, such as low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese and soft cheeses for people recovering from bariatric surgery. Chilled pudding, kefir, milk or yogurt-based smoothies and frozen yogurt provide valuable options for people recovering from tonsillectomies and medical conditions that involve throat or mouth pain.
Beans and Lentils
Beans and lentils are low-fat, nutrient-rich foods that fit well within most healthy diets. The Mayo Clinic recommends beans and lentils as valuable substitutes for meats, which are often restricted in soft foods diets. Soft foods made from beans and lentils include baked beans, refried beans, cooked black beans, lentil soup, Indian-style lentils called dal, vegetarian bean patties, hummus and tofu, which is soybean curd.
Member Comments