AY Honors/Home Nursing/Answer Key

A soft diet is recommended in many situations, including some types of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), surgery involving the mouth or gastrointestinal tract, and pain from newly adjusted braces.

In some situations, there are additional restrictions. For example, patients who need to avoid excessive reflux, such as those recovering from esophageal surgery for achalasia, are also instructed to stay away from foods that can aggravate reflux, which include ketchup and other tomato products, citrus fruits, chocolate, mint, spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine.

Many of the foods listed here can be adapted for a "full liquid" diet (not a "clear liquid" diet) by processing in a blender with an appropriate thinning liquid, such as a meat broth, fruit or vegetable juice, or milk.

Grains/starches

• Pasta cooked soft
• Rice cooked soft
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Oatmeal and other cooked cereals
• Macaroni & cheese
• Bread should be AVOIDED

Proteins

• Tofu
• Cottage cheese
• Yogurt
• Scrambled eggs
• Fish cooked soft
• Meat loaf, meatballs, and other soft dishes made of ground meat
• Cottage Pie
• Waffles & Spagehetti
• Hamburgers, steak and ribs should NOT be eaten

Fruits and vegetables

• Applesauce
• Bananas
• Peeled pears or peaches
• Avocados
• Creamed spinach
• Many kinds of soup
• Carrots, broccoli, or other vegetables cooked soft or processed in the blender

Desserts

• Cheesecake
• Pudding
• Fruit smoothies
• Milkshakes
• Ice cream

See also

NIDCD information on dysphagia

Dysphagia Online

British Dental Health Foundation