If you have difficulty chewing, you may benefit from a soft diet. A soft diet may also be recommended if you have recently had surgery or are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment to your head or neck. In general, a soft diet consists of foods that are low in fiber and easy to chew. A variety of options are available from each of the food groups, making it easy for you to meet all of your nutritional needs.
Grains and Breads
The best grain and bread choices on a soft diet include cream of rice cereal; cream of wheat; refined-flour ready-to-eat cereals; white bread and rolls; refined flour crackers, such as saltine crackers; white rice; and refined flour pasta. Look for brands fortified with vitamins and minerals to help meet your nutritional needs. Avoid any breads or cereals with added nuts.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables make a healthy addition to any diet by providing vitamin C, vitamin A and potassium. The best soft fruit choices include canned fruits packed in their own juices, soft cooked fruits without skin or seeds, bananas, avocados and juices. The best soft vegetable choices include cooked vegetables, fresh lettuce, tomatoes and mashed, boiled or baked potatoes. The Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology group suggests you avoid any gassy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage when following a soft diet.
Meats
Any meats that you choose for a soft diet should be moist, easy to chew and fork tender. The best choices include chicken, turkey, fish, stewed beef and stewed pork. Adding gravy may help to moisten meats. Scrambled and soft cooked eggs, along with creamy peanut butter, also make good choices on a soft diet.
Dairy Foods
Dairy foods provide calcium and vitamin D for bone health. Choose low-fat products to limit your intake of saturated fat. High intake of saturated fat can increase your blood cholesterol levels -- a risk factor for heart disease. Best choices include low-fat milk, low-fat and nonfat yogurt without seeds, cottage cheese and mild cheeses such as Muenster.
Soups
Soups make a good choice for people with difficulty chewing. Best soup choices according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology include mildly seasoned broth, cream soups and strained vegetable soups. Avoid any chunky, bean or chowder soups.
Sweets and Desserts
In moderation, sweets are allowed on the soft diet. Best choices include ice cream without nuts, sherbet, frozen yogurt, fruit ices, custard, pudding and cakes.
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