Soft Food Diet Menu Options
Easy to Chew and Swallow Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks
Aug 26, 2008
For various reasons, such as illness or post-surgery, doctors may prescribe a “soft food” diet in which patients must limit their food choices to ones that are easy to chew and swallow. This is also sometimes referred to as mechanical soft.
Chewing and swallowing takes strength and coordination. The following food suggestions are not for individuals that need completely pureed food. The suggestions apply to those that:
- can eat soft protein such as tuna, but not chicken breast or steak
- can eat soft bread but not toast or bagels
- can eat mashed potatoes or other mashed vegetables, but not cooked or raw vegetables
The menu may also be suitable for young children or those who have just had dental work.
Breakfast
Yogurt – nutritious and easy to eat, yogurt is a great way to start the morning. Look for flavors such as vanilla, lemon or key lime, which don’t have any fruit pieces in them, or try fruit-on-the-bottom varieties but don’t mix in the fruit.
Scrambled eggs – Soft eggs can be scrambled into very small pieces and eaten with jam or jelly for extra softness.
White bread – Soft, crustless white bread can be spread with cream cheese and seedless jelly, a great alternative to a morning bagel.
Cold cereal – Flaky rice-based cereals such as Rice Krispies or Cocoa Pebbles soak up milk and become mushy.
Lunch and Dinner
Soup – Tomato or other “cream of” soups pack nutrients and are simple to swallow.
Mashed potatoes – There are various types of instant mashed potatoes available at supermarkets, from family-sized boxes to individual servings. Try flavored potatoes, such as sour cream and chives, or top plain potatoes with cheese or gravy. Consider mashing other vegetables as well.
Baked potatoes – Available in the frozen food aisle, there are now microwave-ready baked potatoes that come skinless and are even a bit softer than a regular baked potato. In flavors such as cheddar, just top with sour cream.
Soft shell pasta – Pasta shells that are small and not chewy are the best bet. Add marinara sauce (make sure there are no chunky tomato bits, though) or pesto sauce for extra flavor.
Macaroni and cheese – Stouffer’s microwave mac and cheese is softer and easy to eat than the Kraft version, which, although marketed to children, is chewier. Lean Cuisine also makes a light, soft option. Tastes good with applesauce and Ranch dressing.
Spaghetti-O’s – The childhood favorite is tasty for adults, too. The tomato sauce is surprisingly light and the pasta O’s incredibly soft.
Cheese ravioli – There are many types, but a good choice is Lean Cuisine’s cheese ravioli, quick to make and easy to eat.
Quiche – Again found in the frozen aisle, quiche are warm and soft, and come in various flavors such as spinach or cheese.
Turkey wraps – Buy super-thin deli turkey (such as Deli Select, available in the lunch meat aisle) and roll with mayo, avocado and finely grated cheese. Eat as finger food or cut into tiny pieces.
Tuna salad – Make with a little extra mayo to ensure that tuna is soft as can be.
Egg salad – Cut up the egg into tiny pieces and avoid “extras” such as celery bits.
Chicken salad – Chicken salad can be soft if the chicken is shredded into small pieces and the dressing is creamy enough.
Sides and Dessert
Applesauce – A good source of fruit, eat regular applesauce or try other flavors such as strawberry.
Cottage cheese – Small curd cottage cheese is tasty with shredded Mandarin oranges on top.
Pudding – Don’t stick to solely chocolate and vanilla. Try banana and butterscotch, too.
Ice cream – The obvious choice never gets old. Sorbets and ices are refreshing as well.
Tarts or cream pies – If the crust is soft enough, eat that too; otherwise just eat the filling.
Muffins – Muffins (baby muffins are a good choice) are even softer spread with margarine or jelly.
Oreo Cakesters – These new Oreo “cookies” are the consistency of the softest cake.
Chocolate – Hooray, chocolate is on the list! Plain chocolate bars (no nuts) melt in the mouth; Reese’a Peanut Butter cups are another option.
Foods to Avoid
The following foods may seem easy to eat but can be surprisingly difficult:
Rice – Even creamy risotto or tiny couscous can be scratchy and hard to swallow. Stick to potatoes or pasta instead.
Beans – Individual black beans aren’t that hard to chew, but parts of their skin tend to get stuck in teeth.
Chicken breast – Even the softest chicken breast is a challenge when it’s hard to chew and swallow. Opt for chicken salad.
