A soft food diet is typically prescribed to patients transitioning from a liquid to solid diet after surgery or illness. It is also helpful to those with difficulty chewing and swallowing due to dental diseases or other conditions. Food that can be mashed with a fork is usually considered soft enough, according to MayoClinic.com. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist before creating your soft food menu as some diets may require you to limit your salt, sugar or fat intake.
Meat and Protein
Medline Plus explains that protein helps your body make new cells and repair damaged cells, so make sure you are getting enough each day. The amount you need depends on your age, weight and other factors, but aim for at least two to three servings a day. Soft meat that is ground, shredded or cubed is allowed on the soft food diet, according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. This includes boneless fish, chicken, turkey and tender beef. Poached or scrambled eggs or baked beans are good choices for those who don't eat meat. Most dairy products contain protein, including yogurt and soft cheeses. Some people can tolerate creamy peanut butter, but the sticky texture may cause problems for others. Avoid fried foods, nuts, seeds, cold cuts and shellfish.
Starches
Many types of breads, pasta and other starches are permitted on a soft food diet. Thoroughly cooked spaghetti, macaroni and noodles topped with different smooth sauces help add variety to your diet. Oatmeal and other cooked cereals are allowed as long as they don't contain nuts or dried fruit. Although saltine crackers by themselves are off limits, you can add them to soups or other drinks to soften them, according to Drugs.com. Muffins and pancakes are okay, but avoid bagels and hard breads such as sourdough or pita.
Fruits and Vegetables
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain that fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that help prevent chronic diseases. Recommended daily requirements vary depending on your age, sex and physical activity. Applesauce, canned peaches, ripe bananas and smoothies are good fruit choices on a soft food diet. Avoid berries with seeds or fruits with hard peels. Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology recommends eating tomatoes, soft potatoes and canned vegetables--with the exception of whole corn kernels. Avoid vegetables known to cause gas, such as broccoli and cabbage.
Dessert
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, desserts can be part of your soft food diet when eaten in moderation. Ice cream, soft-baked cookies without nuts, pudding and cake are all possible choices. Cheesecake, cream pies and tarts made with seedless fruit are also fine if you remove the crust. Avoid coconut, candy and hard desserts such as peanut brittle.
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