A pureed diet is a diet of foods that are either soft in consistency or softened by mashing, blending or cooking. According to Jackson-Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, this type of diet is usually prescribed to persons who are having difficulty chewing due to dental problems; persons who have undergone chemo or radiation therapy to the neck, head or abdominal area; or persons who have difficulty swallowing due to throat problems or dysphagia, a swallowing disorder caused by underlying conditions such as Parkinson's Disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Restricted Foods
Although most foods can be eaten on a pureed diet, there are certain foods that should be limited or avoided altogether. Foods such as chewy breads, tough meats and raw fruits and vegetables are harder to chew and swallow and should be avoided. Soups, whole-grain cereals and breads and gas-forming vegetables like cauliflower or broccoli should also be limited or avoided. You also want to avoid eating greasy fried foods and spicy or highly seasoned foods if you have a gastrointestinal problem that could be aggravated by eating these foods.
Dairy
You can have dairy foods such as ice cream, smooth yogurt or pudding, cottage cheese or mild-flavored cheese. The Seattle Children's Hospital advises avoiding textured puddings like tapioca or any yogurt or ice cream containing fruit, seeds or nuts.
Breads/Cereals/Starches
Breads and cereals can be pureed using gelatin slurry, which consists of 1 tbsp. of gelatin mixed with 2 cups of a liquid such as water or milk, according to the University Pittsburgh Medical Center. You can also eat cooked cereal such as grits or Cream of Wheat; pureed pancakes, waffles or French toast; pureed pastries or sweet rolls; and instant oatmeal without fruit. Avoid all dry cereals and those cooked cereals, sweet rolls or pastries with seeds or lumps.
Starches
Pasta can also be pureed and eaten, as can dressing, stuffing, rice porridge or casseroles. Potatoes can be eaten mashed and/or mixed with gravy, margarine, butter or sour cream to make them softer. Avoid lumpy mashed potatoes; cooked grains such as couscous, fried or steamed rice; and lumpy casseroles.
Fruits and Vegetables
You can eat soft or cooked fruits and vegetables without lumps, pulp, seeds or chunks, as well as watery pureed fruits and vegetables. Avoid tomato paste with seeds or any non-pureed fruits and vegetables.
Meats and Proteins
A pureed diet can include soft and tender pureed meats, legumes or hummus; pureed scrambled eggs or pureed tofu. Avoid whole or ground meats, poultry or fish; non-pureed legumes or lentils; non-pureed scrambled, fried or hard-boiled eggs; and peanut butter.
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