If you are planning on being admitted to the hospital, you may require a soft diet during your stay. Your doctor will order one for you and the hospital's dietitian will help you make food choices that will meet the requirements of the diet.
Considerations
A soft diet is comprised of foods that are a step between a liquid diet and regular food. Your soft diet should have little protein connective tissue, such as meat with gristle, or difficult to digest dietary fiber. Soft diets usually are prepared in the hospital kitchen without spices other than a little salt, if it is not contraindicated.
Significance
If you ability to chew, swallow and digest food is impaired, your doctor will order a soft diet. This is ofter the case after surgery or following a diagnostic test. Soft diets are also useful for those who have certain conditions that reduce their ability to manage food. An example of this may be someone recovering from a stroke. If you will be having surgery, a soft diet allows your body to recover and slowly adjust to your regular diet again.
Soft Foods
Tell your dietitian if you are on any dietary restrictions before making your choices. For example, if you are on a low-sodium diet, discuss that with the dietitian. Expect so see milk and other dairy products, such as ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, pudding, custard and sour cream on your menu of choices. Your cereal, starch and grain choices may include soft bread and rolls, cooked cereals, potatoes and pasta. Fruits and vegetable juices are available, as well as some cooked and canned fruit and vegetables, applesauce, bananas, melon and other other soft items without seeds. Protein options include canned fish, cooked soft poultry, cream-style peanut butter, scrambled eggs and meats. Hospitals also try to include appropriate choices based on their geographic location. For example, if you are admitted to a hospital in the southern United States, you will likely see grits as a choice on your soft diet menu.
Soft Menu
When you are in the hospital, you will not be offered spicy, very hot or cold foods. You will not see items such as nuts, rice, whole grains, toast or grilled meat. Your menu may include scrambled eggs or soft cooked cereal for breakfast accompanied by a banana. For lunch, you may be offered pasta, mashed potatoes, a soft cooked meat or poultry stew and fruit juice. Your dinner choices may be close to the lunch offerings and may also include desserts such as pudding, ice cream or custard. You will be able to have most liquids as long as they are allowed by your doctor. Tea, coffee, juice, water, and milk are usually allowed on a soft diet in the hospital.
Tip
If you will be having elective surgery, talk with your doctor about any dietary needs or cultural preferences. For example, if you are vegetarian or follow a kosher diet, let your doctor know in advance so he can order a soft diet that meets your needs. The hospital dietitian will work with you to include foods that meet your requirements. Some hospitals allow you to speak with the dietitian if you have special needs before you are admitted. Call the hospital where you will have your procedure to determine if this is an option for you.
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