1. After 2 weeks on the Puree Diet, you will no longer have to blend your foods. You can slowly add foods that are soft in consistency. Soft foods can be cut easily with a fork.
2. You will remain on the Soft Diet for 2 weeks. Remember to try one new food at a time.
3. For better portion control, use smaller plates and baby spoons and forks. Stop eating when you feel full.
4. Keep yourself hydrated! Drink 6-8 cups of water and low calorie beverages between your meals. Don't drink with your meals. Don't drink 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after meals.
5. Continue to take your supplements as prescribed.
6. Continue to keep track of the kind and amount of protein you eat every day. Remember, your goal is a minimum of 60 grams of protein each day.
The following are examples of foods from each food group that can be included on the Soft Diet.
Meat Group (7 grams protein per serving)
2 Tbsp (1 ounce) cooked lean meats: skinless chicken, fish, turkey, ground beef (moist meats are usually tolerated best, beef is usually least tolerated)
2 Tbsp (1 ounce) water packed tuna or chicken
¼ cup egg substitute or 1 egg scrambled
¼ cup fat free or 1% cottage cheese
1 oz (1 slice) low fat mild cheese
1 tbsp CREAMY peanut butter
Milk Group (8 grams protein per serving)
1 cup fat free or 1% milk
¾ cup no sugar added/low fat "lite" yogurt (no fruit pieces)
1 cup sugar free pudding made with fat free or 1% milk
1 packet of no sugar added instant breakfast made with fat free or 1% milk (12 grams protein)
1 cup cream soup made with milk (no tomato, no mushroom or corn pieces)
Starch Group (3 grams protein per serving)
1 slice of bread (toasted)
4-6 crackers
½ cup cooked cream of wheat/rice/oatmeal
½ cup mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash
1 cup broth based soup
Fruit Group (0 grams protein per serving)
½ cup canned peaches or pears (in own juices or water packed)
½ soft banana
½ cup unsweetened, diluted fruit juice (limit to ½ cup a day)
Vegetable Group (2 grams protein per serving)
½ cup soft cooked carrots or green beans (no skins or seeds)
Important Tips:
1. All foods should be cooked without added fats. Bake, grill, broil, or poach meats. You may season meats with herbs and spices instead of fats.
2. Moist meats are tolerated better at this phase. Add chicken or beef broths, fat free gravies and low fat cream soups to moisten meats. Finely dice meats and chew well .
3. Add 1-2 Tbsp of a new food at a time, if you feel nauseated or bloating after eating then you are not ready for this food. Wait a few days before trying this food again. Everyone progresses differently. Listen to your body.
