Medical professionals often prescribe special diets to help people recover from certain medical procedures or bouts of illness.
Soft diets are commonly used in the clinical setting and include foods that are soft and easy to digest.
If you are prescribed a soft diet, you may wonder what foods you should eat and avoid and why you were put on this diet in the first place.
This article explains everything you need to know about soft food diets.
Soft food diets consist of soft, easily digestible foods and are prescribed to people who cant tolerate normally textured or highly seasoned foods.
Healthcare providers commonly prescribed these diets to people with certain medical conditions or who are recovering from surgery.
Soft food diets are used in many settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and in the home. Theyre typically followed for short periods of a few days to a few weeks, though some circumstances may require the diet to be followed for a longer period.
Soft diets are often used to treat swallowing disorders, collectively known as dysphagia. Dysphagia is common in older adults and those with neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases (1, 2).
In 2002 the American Dietetic Association published the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD), which includes several levels of dysphagia diets (3, 4):
Although the point of texture-modified diets is to reduce the risk of aspiration and pneumonia in people with dysphagia, current research suggests that modifying food texture may result in a worsened quality of life and undernutrition, highlighting the need for more research (2).
In addition to dysphagia, soft diets are prescribed to people who have recently undergone mouth or jaw surgery that has affected their ability to chew.
For example, people who have undergone wisdom teeth removal, major jaw surgery, or dental implant surgery may need to follow a soft diet to promote healing (5).
Soft diets are also used as transitional diets between full liquid or pured diets and regular diets in people who have undergone abdominal surgery or are recovering from gastrointestinal illness to allow the digestive system to heal more effectively (6).
Additionally, soft diets can be prescribed to people who are too weak to consume regular foods, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, as well as to people who have lost feeling in their face or mouth or cant control their lips or tongue due to a stroke (7).
Although soft food diets used in both the clinical and home setting can vary, most that are used in the short term are low in fiber and bland to ease digestibility and the comfort of the person eating the diet (8).
Keep in mind that some people have to be on soft food diets for longer periods. In these cases, the diet may be higher in fiber and more flavorful than soft diets used in the short term.
Soft diets consist of foods that are easily chewed and digested. Theyre often prescribed to people with swallowing difficulties, those who have undergone abdominal surgery, and people with other medical issues.
Soft diets are used when regular-textured or highly seasoned foods cant be tolerated, which can happen for a number of reasons.
Soft diets should not be confused with pured diets. Although pured foods are allowed on soft food diets, pured diets are entirely different.
Overall, soft diets should consist of foods that are soft, as well as easy to eat and digest.
Here are some examples of foods that can be enjoyed on most soft diets (7, 8):
Keep in mind that there are different variations of soft food diets, depending on the condition theyre being used to treat. Some people with further restrictions may not be able to tolerate certain foods for various reasons.
Therefore, its always best to consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if youre following a soft diet and have questions about what foods youre permitted to eat.
Cooked fruits and vegetables, easily chewable proteins, and soft starches can be enjoyed when following a soft food diet.
Many foods should be avoided when following a soft food diet. Hard to digest foods, as well as those that are tough to chew, should be restricted. Typically, spicy and very acidic foods are also off-limits.
The following foods are commonly restricted on soft diets (7, 8):
Note that your healthcare provider may recommend further restrictions depending on your medical condition. Its important to have a good understanding of the diet thats prescribed and your individual dietary needs.
Foods that are difficult to chew and digest, as well as spicy and acidic foods, should typically be avoided when following a soft food diet.
Following any restrictive diet can be frustrating, especially when many healthy foods like raw fruits and vegetables are off-limits.
Still, there are many tasty meal and snack options for those following soft diets.
Here are some ideas for meals that can be eaten by people following soft diets:
In addition to meals, many people following a soft diet may want to include one or more snacks throughout the day.
Some snack ideas include:
Its important that all meals and snacks be as balanced as possible and include high protein foods, especially for those who have recently undergone surgery or have higher nutrient needs, such as those with cancer (9, 10).
Its possible to consume healthy and tasty meals and snacks when following a soft diet. Meals and snacks should be nutrient-rich to promote healing and overall health.
Although consuming a diet consisting of only soft foods can be difficult, the following tips may make following such a diet easier (7, 8):
Typically, soft diets are used as transitional diets for short periods until a person is ready to start eating a regular-consistency diet again.
Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on how long you should follow a soft food diet, while a registered dietitian can provide you with any other pertinent information.
If you have any questions or concerns about following a soft food diet or how to transition back to a regular-consistency diet, ask your medical provider for advice.
Choosing nutritious foods, focusing on protein, planning ahead, eating small meals frequently, and taking your time while eating are all smart tips for people following soft food diets.
Healthcare providers commonly prescribe soft food diets to help people recover from surgery and illness and make chewing and digesting food easier.
When following a soft food diet, its important to choose soft, easily digestible foods and avoid foods that are hard to chew or digest. Spicy and potentially irritating foods should likewise be avoided.
Although a soft food diet can be difficult to follow, its used to promote recovery, so its important to follow your healthcare providers instructions and comply until youre ready to transition back to a regular diet.
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Soft Food Diet: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid - Healthline
