Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, or TMJ, cause tenderness and pain in the temporomandibular joint that is on each side of the head where the lower jawbone meets the skull, according to the Mayo Clinic.com. TMJ, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, can be caused by arthritis, jaw injury, or muscle fatigue from clenching or grinding your teeth. Since it is the temporomandibular joint that aids with chewing, those with TMJ may need to be placed on a soft diet in order to lessen the pain associated with chewing.
About the Soft Food Diet
A soft food diet, according to Drugs.com, contains foods that are easy for individuals to chew or swallow, and is often recommended for those with head, neck, or stomach surgery, or dental or mouth problems. Soft food diets include not only foods that are naturally in liquid form, but also foods that can be processed or pureed to make them easier to consume. In addition, adding broths, gravies, and sauces to certain solid food such as meat and vegetables can make them easier to eat with minimal chewing, and therefore may be allowed on the soft diet in some cases.
Soft Diet Starchy Foods
Starchy foods that can be eaten on a soft diet include potatoes that are mashed or pureed, cooked pasta, rice, barley, or cereal, as well as soft rolls, bread, muffins, pancakes, or waffles, according to Colgate. In addition, plain cereal in milk or crackers softened in soup may also be easily consumed by those with TMJ.
Soft Diet Fruits and Vegetables
According to Drugs.com, fruit and vegetable juices, as well as well-cooked vegetables without seeds or skin are acceptable to eat on a soft diet for someone with TMJ. In addition, pureed fruit such as applesauce, fruit smoothies, cooked fruits, ripe banana, or soft melon cubes, may also be eaten on a soft diet.
Soft Diet Protein-Rich Foods
Protein-rich foods such as poached, scrambled, or cooked eggs, tofu, as well as well-cooked legumes may be consumed on a soft diet for those with TMJ. In addition, according to Colgate, dairy products such as yogurt, milk, milk shakes, ice cream, and cottage cheese may also be consumed on a soft food diet. Meat, fish, and poultry may be acceptable to eat on a soft diet in cases where meat is cooked until very moist and tender, or is set in gravy, sauce, or soups to become tender enough to consume with minimal chewing.
Soft Diet Other Allowed Foods
Other foods that may be allowed on a soft diet include soups, broths, or soft dessert items such as gelatin, moist cake, or soft cookies that are moist or set in milk to make them soft. In addition, puddings, custards, and soft pies and cobblers may also be consumed on a soft food diet. According to Colgate, it is also recommended that any solid foods consumed by individuals with TMJ should be cut into small pieces in order to give the jaw as much rest as possible.
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