You may need to follow a soft diet if you have trouble chewing food, you are a radiation therapy patient or you have had surgery. A soft diet includes foods that are easy to swallow. It is important to follow the diet correctly to avoid discomfort or complications, so consult a nutritionist if you have questions.
Fruits and Vegetables
Foods on a soft diet include all kinds of fruit and vegetable juices and nectars. Only consume raw fruits that are soft, such as bananas and avocados, or that have no pits, skins or seeds such as peeled pears, oranges without the membrane or seedless grapes. Some cooked and canned vegetables are allowed, but avoid them if they have seeds or skins. Do not eat any raw vegetables except lettuce.
High-Protein Foods
Protein foods on a soft diet include well-cooked meats, such as roasted, stewed, creamed or broiled lamb, veal or liver. You can have fresh and frozen fish, such as tuna or salmon, and chicken, but not duck. Do not have any raw or fried meats or eggs, or any nuts or legumes except smooth peanut butter. You can have all dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, except those with added nuts.
Starches
A soft diet can include cooked potatoes, as long as they are peeled, but you should not have potato chips or French fried potatoes. Additionally, do not have whole grains, such as whole-wheat flour or bread, wild rice or whole-grain cereals. Stick with refined grains, such as white rice, pasta, white bread, pancakes and waffles. You can have cereals without nuts or dried fruit. You can also have sweet potatoes.
Other Foods
Foods on a soft diet include almost all sweets; dried fruits, nuts or seeds are not allowed. You can have ice cream, frozen yogurt, pudding and chocolate, as well as candy and baked goods. The National Cancer Institute states that you can have butter, oils, mayonnaise and sour cream, as well as sugars, syrups and honey. A soft diet allows vinegar, soy sauce and tomato sauce, but not garlic, olives, pickles or barbecue sauce. You can consume clear soups, but not chunky soups.
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