Soft diet

A Mechanical soft diet is often prescribed in various medical and dental scenarios, encompassing conditions like dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), post-surgery protocols for the jaw, mouth, or gastrointestinal tract, and post-adjustment pain from dental braces. This diet is distinct from the soft diet, which is akin to a regular diet but omits fibers, spicy dishes, and highly fatty foods, sometimes termed a "light diet."

Puré de patates

Soft Ice cream

Soft tofu 2

Puréed veggies

The essence of a Mechanical soft diet is the inclusion of a wide range of foods, albeit in mashed, pureed, sauce-combined, or liquid-simmered forms.

Certain situations warrant additional dietary restrictions. For instance, patients recovering from esophageal surgery for achalasia and needing to mitigate reflux may be advised against consuming reflux-aggravating foods like tomato products, citrus fruits, chocolates, spicy dishes, alcohol, and caffeine.

Many items on this diet can transition to a full liquid diet (distinct from a clear liquid diet) when blended with thinning liquids such as broths, juices, or milk.

Grains/starches

• Baked potatoes, skinless, mashed with sour cream or cream cheese
• Breakfast cereals softened in milk (e.g., Cheerios, Cornflakes, Rice Krispies)
• Cooked hot cereals like oatmeal, porridge, Cream of Wheat
• Couscous
• Lasagne with extra sauce
• Soft-cooked macaroni & cheese
• Mashed potatoes with gravy
• Soft muffins, pancakes, or waffles
• Soft-cooked pasta
• Polenta
• Mashed potato salad
• Quinoa
• Soft-cooked rice with gravy or sauce
• Rice gruel or congee
• Risotto

Protein

• Baked beans
• Canned tuna or chicken
• Chicken or tuna salad
• Chili
• Cottage cheese
• Scrambled eggs
• Steamed, beaten eggs
• Enchilada pie
• Soft-cooked fish
• Ground meat dishes like meatloaf or meatballs
• Nut butters (e.g., peanut, almond, cashew)
• Refried beans with accompaniments
• Sloppy joe
• Tofu
• Yogurt
• Ricotta

Pineapple Juice fruits

Fruits and vegetables

• Applesauce
• Avocados
• Bananas (mashed if necessary)
• Creamed corn
• Creamed spinach
• Fruit juices
• Ripe, cubed melons
• Peeled pears or peaches (ripe or canned)
• Soups with soft vegetables
• Vegetable juices
• Soft, mashed, or pureed vegetables

Desserts

Dessert on display

• Milk-softened cake
• Cheesecake
• Cream pies
• Custard
• Fruit smoothies
• Gelatin desserts
• Milkshakes and health shakes
• Mousse
• Pudding
• Soft pies (e.g., pumpkin pie, key lime pie)
• Smooth frozen desserts

See also

• Dysphagia
• Dietary guidelines
• Nutrition
• Liquid diet
• Soft foods
• Dental care

External links

• NIDCD information on dysphagia
• Soft Diets for Gastroenterological Medicine