Soft Diet

Because of the importance of not chewing during the process of healing disorders of the jaw, we have prepared the following hints and suggestions for eating during this period.

The only restriction in a soft diet is that of texture.  All foods in such a diet must be soft enough, finely divided enough or sufficiently liquid to be swallowed without chewing.  In other words, the teeth should not be brought together, although foods can be mashed between the tongue and palate.

Such foods can, however, have all the interest, flavor and variation in temperature that you usually enjoy.  Special attention should be given to maintaining adequate protein with this kind of diet since many of the foods that come to mind first are predominately carbohydrates.

If the food is being prepared at home, a blender is a helpful tool in extending the variety of such a diet.  For example, various chewier items can be pureed and still be flavorful.

Other than the flexibility of eating anything pureed or blended, here are examples of suitable foods:

Meals: soups, chilli, stews, pancakes, soft pastas (casseroles, lasagna, spaghetti, etc.), rice, chicken or turkey (well cooked), fish, meatloaf (soft), finely chopped salad, pot pie, cottage cheese, soft cheeses, egg, shakes, hot cereals,.

Fruits & Vegetables: soft fruits (including canned, stewed, mashed or cooked) or well cooked vegetables (including canned, mashed or cooked).

Desserts: puddings, frozen yogurt, ice cream, cakes, pies, jello, yogurt.