A soft diet, according to the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, is a diet designed to eliminate foods that are difficult to chew and swallow. It also eliminates foods that are spicy, fried or gas-producing. Foods in a soft diet are both naturally soft and easy to digest, or they can be mechanically softened by mashing, chopping or pureeing. Foods that are routinely eliminated include tough meats, raw fruits and vegetables, chewy and crispy breads, nuts and seeds. Your physician might require you to follow a soft diet for a variety of medical procedures or illnesses.
Chemotherapy
One side effect associated with patients on chemotherapy is diarrhea because the medications kill the cells that line the intestine. Because of this, it becomes important to allow the bowel to rest. To do this, your physician might prescribe a soft diet that is easily digestible. On the other side, chemotherapy can also cause constipation and possible bowel obstruction in some patients. According to ChemoCare, a soft diet might be prescribed in this case to avoid complications and increased risk of obstruction. The National Cancer Institute says that changing your food consistency to that of a soft diet can also fuel a sluggish appetite by making it easier to consume food and nutrients.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, is a condition which causes a person to experience difficulty and pain when swallowing. Dysphagia is caused by any condition that weakens the nerves and muscles used for swallowing. These conditions can include cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, stroke or a head injury. For patients with dysphagia, a soft diet is recommended to make swallowing easier and avoid a possible blockage of your airway.
After Surgery
Following a surgical procedure, especially one that involves the gastrointestinal tract, your physician might prescribe a soft diet. Eating softer foods at this time will allow your intestinal tract to heal and recover. Your physician or dentist might also recommend a soft diet after having oral surgery or dental work as chewing might be painful or difficult. In this case, a soft diet will allow you to get the nutrition you need without causing pain or damage to surgical work that has been done.
Intestinal Obstruction
An intestinal obstruction is a complete or partial blockage in the bowel that prevents contents and waste to pass. Obstructions come in two forms, known as a mechanical obstruction, in which something is in the way, or a condition called Ileus, in which the bowel does not function as it should. Mechanical obstructions can be caused by a variety of conditions, including scar tissue from surgery, hernias, impacted stool, tumors or volvulus, or a twisted intestine. Treatment for a bowel obstruction can involve surgery or the placement of a tube through the nose and into the stomach to relieve the obstruction. A soft diet is routinely prescribed while the obstruction clears and the intestinal tract heals.
References
- University of Pennsylvania Medical Center; "Soft Diet"; March 2011
- ChemoCare: Chemotherapy Diet Resources: Diets That You May Follow During Chemotherapy Treatments
- National Cancer Institute; "Eating Hints: Before, During and After Cancer Treatment"; September 30, 2009
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; "Dysphagia"; October 2010
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology; "Soft and Mechanical Soft Diet"; Frank Jackson
- MedlinePlus; "Intestinal Obstruction"; June 29, 2010
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