A soft diet usually serves as a transitional period between a liquid diet and a regular diet for patients who are recovering from surgery or undergoing radiation treatments on the throat or stomach. Your doctor may also prescribe a soft diet to control symptoms of certain chronic diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease.
Basics
A soft diet consists of foods that are easy to chew and swallow. These foods may be naturally soft or become soft after blending, pureeing, grinding or mashing. Most foods on the soft diet are bland. The absence of spices and seasonings makes these foods easier on your digestive system. The purposes of a soft diet are to reduce digestive symptoms, such as gas, cramping and bloating and reduce stress on your digestive system.
Recommended Foods
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center provides a list of foods, categorized by food group, that are permitted on a soft diet. When choosing grains, opt for cereal that does not contain nuts or seeds, refined breads, pasta and white rice. Most vegetables should be cooked, although you may eat raw salad greens and tomatoes. You may consume fresh, raw fruit, but only without the skin. All milk, milk beverages, yogurt and cheeses are permitted. When choosing meats, opt for soft meats such as poultry and fish. You are also allowed ice cream, chocolate, eggs, creamy peanut butter and all beverages.
Foods to Avoid
Don't eat any cereals or whole-grain breads that contain nuts, seeds or pieces of dried fruit. Avoid wild rice, whole-grain rice and whole-grain pasta. Raw vegetables are gas-forming and are not permitted on a soft diet. You may not consume deli meats, nuts, seeds, popcorn or raw fruits that contain the skin. Spicy foods and fried foods should also be avoided.
Considerations
A soft diet not only focuses on what foods to eat and what foods to avoid, but it also requires changes in your eating habits. While following a soft diet, you must take small bites, chew food thoroughly and eat slowly. Doing so will optimize the amount of digestion that occurs in your mouth and reduce the amount of stress on your stomach and bowels. It may also be beneficial to eat five to six small meals throughout the day rather than three large meals. Doing so can reduce the amount of stress on your stomach as well as keep you full throughout the day so you do not crave foods that are not permitted.
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