The inability to eat solid foods can be caused by several reasons, for example, following gastrointestinal operations, jaw or mouth operations, removal of wisdom teeth, installation of orthodontic braces, or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). A soft diet doesn't have to be boring and bland, nor should it be experienced as torture. Remember that this is a temporary situation and that you will soon be able to eat solid foods again.
Steps
Step 1. Find out about the cause of the restrictions and what foods are allowed and what are forbidden
For example, if your doctor prescribes you a soft diet due to illness or after surgery, the restrictions may be more extensive than just chewing difficulties. Of course, you need to follow your doctor's advice, but knowing the specific restrictions helps you be more creative.
- Know the duration of the soft diet.
- Know if there are any foods you need to avoid.
- Find out which soft foods you can "chew" safely by squeezing them between your tongue and palate.
- Find out if you can eat pureed or pureed solid foods.
Step 2. Start with a clear fluid diet
Your doctor may order a liquid (or clear liquid) diet if you have a laceration or incision in your mouth, compromised digestive system, or for other reasons. In this case, the doctor will tell you the duration of the diet. A clear liquid diet is a type of diet characterized by the exclusive consumption of clear liquids, such as apple juice or other pulp-free fruits, jelly sweets (even if they are solid at room temperature), clear carbonated drinks, tea and broth. Popsicles are also considered clear liquids, as long as they don't contain pulp or sorbets.
Step 3. Add "other liquids" as appropriate
Other liquids include suspended solids or clear liquids. If the doctor gives you the green light, you can consume various liquid nutritional supplements, milk, milkshake, yogurt (mixed well and without pieces of fruit), hot cereals without lumps, such as oats, juices with pulp, and puddings.
Step 4. Look for foods that are already soft
For example: hot grains without lumps (like oats), pureed or squeezed soups, applesauce, milkshakes, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, vanilla cream, cottage cheese, and other foods soft enough not to be chewed.
Step 5. Let the blender and fork chew for you
Cut the well-cooked pasta into small pieces with a fork; blend the minestrone; crush or blend the potato salad, the filling of the burrito or the meat sauce.
- If there are any unmashed bits left, that's fine, as long as you can swallow them without chewing.
- Blenders are more efficient if they contain enough liquid. If the potato salad does not blend well and pieces remain on the sides of the blender, add a drop of milk, yogurt, water or salad dressing. Try to add liquids that go well with the food you blend. Use broth, water, barbeque sauce, or ketchup for the meat. The addition of liquids also helps you to suck food with a straw.
- Some foods are better in smoothies than others. If you are unsure, try a small amount first.
Step 6. Cook the food until soft
Fresh, crunchy celery and carrots need to be chewed, however, if cooked in a soup they will become soft enough to melt between the tongue and palate; in addition, they are perfect for blending.
Step 7. Melt the food
If you crave bread but can't chew it, try making "bread pudding" or reheating pancakes with a lot of syrup.
Step 8. Vary the foods as much as possible by choosing from those allowed and be creative
Any type of fruit or vegetable can be blended to the point where you don't have to chew them and even other main courses. Try to balance starches, proteins, fruits, vegetables, fats and indulge in a dessert from time to time, as if you were following a normal diet.
Step 9. Eat the dessert
Sweets usually have a lot of calories, so add them to your diet if you're worried about not getting enough calories.
Step 10. Avoid hard-to-chew foods
While tuna and softened chicken can be eaten without chewing by grinding them, the same is not true for steak.
Step 11. Take steps to add calories as needed
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
- Go for whole milk, dairy products and cream.
- Add protein and milk powders, powdered supplements, and even chocolate syrup.
Step 12. Take care of your teeth on a soft or liquid diet
Crunchy foods help clean teeth and stimulate gum tissues. Ask your doctor or dentist if you can brush your teeth or, if it is impossible, if you can rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after meals.
Advice
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Swallowing problems should be evaluated by a doctor or specialist. People with this medical condition may run the risk of inhaling or inhaling foods, especially liquids.
- There are commercially available thickeners to mix with liquids, changing their consistency similar to "nectar" or "honey", facilitating swallowing.
- Following a medical examination to assess swallowing ability, the doctor may recommend that you change the position of your body and head (if possible, sit upright with your chin down) and avoid the use of straws. If in doubt, ask for more information.
- Talk to your doctor or nutritionist if you're not sure what foods to eat or avoid. If you have just had surgery or if you have put on orthodontic braces, your doctor will be able to advise you on the best diet to follow.
- Over time, as your nutrition becomes less restricted, make a slow transition. Start with small portions of foods similar to the ones you've eaten so far and gradually move to a less restrictive diet.
- If you usually eat meat, add it to your diet a little at a time when possible. A meat-based and a meat-free diet can be safely followed, however, switching from a meat-free diet and reintroducing it after a set period of time will burden the digestive tract.
