The Full Liquid Diet
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Mild tea, without cream or milk.
This diet has a greater range of items than the clear liquid diet. It may be used as a transition from clear liquids to solid food after surgery or when recovering from a flare up.
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Mineral, bubbly, or plain water.
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Clear soft drinks like ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or club soda. (No cola or root beer.)
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Clear sports drinks.
Foods Allowed •
Everything on the Clear Liquid Diet
Soup:
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Cream
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Ice Cream
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Italian Ice
Desserts:
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Fruit juices
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Milk
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Puddings
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Cooked refined cereals
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Strained Soups
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Vegetable Juices
Foods Omitted •
Breads
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Cheese
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Fruits
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Meats
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Vegetables
Clear Liquid Diet GENERAL INFORMATION: What is a clear liquid diet? •
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A clear liquid diet is made up of clear liquids and foods that are liquid at room temperature. Some examples of these foods or liquids are apple juice, clear broth, gelatin dessert, and weak tea. The clear liquid diet provides liquids, salt, and some nutrients for a few days until you can eat normal food. The clear liquid diet does not provide all the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, or calories that your body needs. A clear liquid diet may be used before a test or surgery to make sure your digestive tract is empty. The digestive tract is the path that food takes through your body as it is digested. You may also need this diet after stomach or bowel (small and large intestines) surgery, or if you have problems with eating solid food. The goal of this diet is to provide liquids and part of the calories you need until you can eat solid food. Clear liquids are easily digested (broken down) and do not put a strain on your stomach or intestines.
What can I eat and drink while on a clear liquid diet? Beverages (drinks): •
Clear juices (such as apple, cranberry, or grape), strained citrus juices or fruit punch.
Clear broth, bouillon, or consommé.
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Plain popsicles. Avoid popsicles with pureed fruit or fiber in them.
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Hard candy.
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Flavored gelatin, such as Jell-O® without fruit. You may also drink gelatin as a warm beverage before it sets.
Other: •
Sugar, honey, jelly or syrup.
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Herbs, mild seasonings, or salt.
What should I avoid eating and drinking while on a clear liquid diet? Beverages: •
Any beverage that you cannot see through.
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Beverages containing alcohol.
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Dairy products such as milk, hot cocoa, buttermilk, and cream.
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Fruit smoothies, nectars, fruit juices with pulp and prune juice.
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Tomato and vegetable juices.
Soup and desserts: •
All other soups besides broth, bouillon, or consommé.
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All other desserts not listed above.
Sample menu for a 270 mL (90 ounces) clear liquid diet: One cup is equal to 8 ounces of fluid.
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Breakfast: One cup of juice, three fourths of a cup of clear broth, one popsicle (equals about two ounces of liquid), and one cup of herbal tea with honey or sugar.
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Morning snack: One cup of a clear sports drink.
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Lunch: One-half of a cup of juice, threefourths of a cup of clear broth, three-fourths of a cup of lemon-lime soda, one-half of a cup of lemon gelatin.
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Afternoon snack: One popsicle (equals about two ounces of liquid).
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Evening meal: One-half of a cup of juice, three-fourths of a cup of clear broth, threefourths of a cup of ginger ale, one-half of a cup of flavored gelatin, and one cup of herbal tea with honey or sugar.
Choose a variety of items on this diet to avoid getting tired of having the same items everyday. Keep the purine food list in your kitchen to remind you about the diet.
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Carry the purine food list with you to remind you about the diet when you are away from home. Tell your family or friends about this diet so that they can remind you about it.
Evening snack: One cup of flavored gelatin.
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Ask your caregiver, a dietitian, or a nutritionist any questions you may have about your diet plan. A dietitian or nutritionist works with you to find the right diet plan for you.
Risks: If you do not follow this diet before your test or surgery, your test or surgery may need to be scheduled for another time. You may have to follow a clear liquid diet because your body cannot digest (break down) solid foods. If you do not follow this diet as ordered, you may have diarrhea (loose, watery stool), nausea and vomiting (throwing up), gas, or bloating. The clear liquid diet does not provide all the nutrients you need. You should not follow this diet for more than two or three days unless your caregiver tells you to. You may have to drink a clear liquid nutrition supplement if you have to follow this diet for more than three days.
What foods contain purine? A variety of foods contain purine in different amounts. Below is a food list that shows which foods are high, medium and low sources of purine. Avoid the high-purine foods. High-purine foods:
Low Purine Diet GENERAL INFORMATION: What is a low-purine diet?
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A low-purine diet consists of foods which are low in purine content. Purine is a substance that is found in foods and is produced naturally by the body. Purines are broken down by the body and changed to uric acid. The kidneys normally filter the uric acid and the uric acid leaves the body through the urine. However, people with gout sometimes have a build-up of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid may build up because the body makes too much. It may also build up because the body does not get rid of enough uric acid through the urine. High levels of uric acid can cause urate crystals to form in the joints. The buildup of these crystals causes swelling, which is called a gout attack or gout pain. Gout attacks may be treated and prevented with medicine. Making dietary changes such as limiting the amount of purine may also help to treat and prevent gout attacks. Other lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and increasing liquids may also help to prevent gout attacks.
How can I make low-purine foods a regular part of my diet? Limiting the amount of purines in your diet is a change that may help you to manage gout. You may need to make these changes part of your daily routine. Changing what you eat and drink may be hard at first. Think of these changes as "lifestyle" changes not just "diet" changes.
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Anchovies.
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Roe (fish eggs).
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Fish such as herring and mackerel.
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Sardines.
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Scallops and mussels.
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Game meats, like goose, duck, and partridge.
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Organ meats: brains, heart, kidney, liver, and sweetbreads.
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Meat extracts.
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Mincemeat.
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Broth, bouillon, and consomme.
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Gravy.
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Yeast (baker's and brewer's) taken in the form of a supplement.
Medium-purine foods:
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Fish and shellfish not on the high purine list above.
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Poultry foods not on the high purine list above.
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Beef, lamb, pork, and other red meats not on the high purine list above.
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Dried beans, peas, lentils.
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Fats and oils in small amounts.
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Asparagus.
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Sugar, syrup, and other sweets in small amounts.
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Mushrooms.
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Spinach.
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Cauliflower.
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Green peas.
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Oats and oatmeal.
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Wheat germ and bran.
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Whole grain breads and cereals.
Low-purine foods and beverages: ○
Eggs (limit to 3 to 4 per week).
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Nuts and peanut butter: limit if trying to lose weight.
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Low-fat and fat-free cheeses and ice cream.
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Pudding.
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Milk: skim or 1% (limit to 24 ounces per day).
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Cream-style soups made with lowfat milk.
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Soups made without meat extract or broth.
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Vegetables not on the lists above
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Fruits and juices.
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Breads and cereals: low fiber, white flour, or refined grain types.
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Pasta and macaroni.
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Rice.
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Soda.
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Coffee and tea.
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Gelatin.
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Cake and cookies in small amounts.
Risks: Following a low-purine diet may help to decrease gout attacks. If you do not limit high-purine foods and alcohol, you may have gout attacks more often.
Regular Diet GENERAL INFORMATION: What is a regular diet? •
A regular diet is a diet that includes a variety of foods. A healthy, regular diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat dairy foods. It also includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts. A healthy regular diet is low in unhealthy fats, salt and added sugar.
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You will need a regular diet if you do not have any health problems that require a special diet. A healthy regular diet and healthy lifestyle may reduce your risk of certain diseases. Some of these include heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis (brittle bones), and some types of cancer.
What foods should I eat and drink while on a regular diet? Eat a variety of foods from each of these food groups every day. Try to eat the number of servings suggested by your dietitian or nutritionist. The amount of each item listed is one serving. Breads and starches: Most people need six to eleven servings per day from this list. Eat at least three servings of whole grains each day.
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Whole grains: ○
One-half of a cup of cooked brown rice.
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One-half of a cup of oatmeal.
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One slice of 100 percent whole wheat or rye bread.
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Three-fourths of a cup (one ounce) of whole-grain dry cereal.
Other breads and starches: ○
One-half cup of cooked rice or pasta.
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One-half of a hot dog or hamburger bun.
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One-half of a small bagel.
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One six-inch tortilla or pita bread.
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One small dinner roll.
Fruits: Most people need two to four servings per day from this list. Eat a variety of fruits each day. Choose fresh, canned, or dried fruit instead of fruit juice as often as possible. •
One half-cup (four ounces) of a cup of fruit juice.
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One half-cup of chopped, cooked, or canned fruit.
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One medium size apple, peach, orange, or banana.
Vegetables: Most people need three to five servings per day from this list. Eat more dark green and orange vegetables.
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A serving of vegetables is: ○
One half-cup of cooked or raw vegetables.
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One-half cup of vegetable or tomato juice.
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One large egg (limit eggs to three a week).
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Three-fourths of a cup of cooked dried beans, peas or lentils.
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Three to four ounces of any lean meat, fish, or poultry.
Fats: Choose healthy fats such as polyunsaturated (pol-ee-un-SACH-er-ay-ted) and monounsaturated (mo-no-un-SACH-er-ay-ted) fats most of the time. Unhealthy fats are saturated (SACH-er-ay-ted) fats, trans fats and cholesterol (koh-LES-ter-ol).
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Polyunsaturated fats: soybean, corn, and safflower oil.
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Monounsaturated fats: canola, olive, and sunflower oil and nuts.
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Dark green vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, romaine lettuce, collard, turnip and mustard greens. Orange vegetables: Carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash and pumpkin.
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Other vegetables: Tomatoes, lettuce, green beans, onions.
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Starchy vegetables: White potatoes, corn, and green peas.
Dairy Foods: Most people need two to three servings per day from this list. Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy foods. •
One and one-half ounces of low-fat cheese.
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One cup (eight ounces) of low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt. One-half of a cup of low-fat frozen yogurt.
Meat and other protein sources: Most people need two to three servings per day from this list. Choose lean meats and poultry. Bake, broil, and grill meat instead of frying it. Eat a variety of protein foods. •
One-half cup of soy tofu or tempeh.
A serving of a healthy fat is:
One-eighth of an avocado.
One teaspoon of oil (canola, olive, corn, safflower, soybean).
One teaspoon of tub, stick or squeeze regular margarine.
One tablespoon of low-fat margarine (30 to 50 percent vegetable oil).
One teaspoon of regular mayonnaise or one tablespoon of low-fat mayonnaise.
One tablespoon of regular salad dressing or one and one-half of a tablespoon of low-fat salad dressing.
One cup of raw or leafy vegetables (such as a tossed salad).
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One and one-half ounces (about two tablespoons) of nuts or two tablespoons of peanut butter.
What foods should I limit while on a regular diet? Try to limit the following types of foods in each group whenever possible. They are high in total fat, unhealthy fats, sugar or calories. Breads and starches: •
Cookies, donuts, or fried pastries.
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Croissants, store-bought muffins, or other high-fat breads.
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Fried potatoes or French fries.
Fruits and vegetables: •
Fruit in pastries, ice cream, or rich desserts.
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Fruits and vegetables that are fried or prepared with extra fat.
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Vegetables made with cream sauces or topped with cheese.
Dairy foods: •
Cream and regular hard cheeses.
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Regular and premium ice cream and regular yogurt.
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Whole milk, half and half, and regular eggnog.
Meat and other protein sources: •
Fried or deep fried meats, seafood, or poultry.
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Meats made with sauces or gravies that contain fat.
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Organ meats such as liver.
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Regular sausages, lunch meats, cheeses, and spare ribs.
Fats: •
Bacon, lard, and shortening.
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Visible fat on any meat, fish, or poultry.
Soft and Mechanical Soft Diet Purpose The soft diet serves as a transition from liquids to a regular diet for individuals who are recovering from surgery or a long illness. It can help to ease difficulty in chewing and/or swallowing due to dental problems or extreme weakness, and it is sometimes recommended to relieve mild intestinal or stomach discomfort. The soft diet can be especially helpful to patients who are undergoing treatments like chemotherapy, or radiation to the head, neck or abdominal areas, which may cause digestive problems or make the mouth and throat very sore. The soft diet limits or eliminates foods that are hard to chew and swallow, such as raw fruits and vegetables, chewy breads, and tough meats. In some cases, high-fiber foods like whole-grain breads and cereals and "gas-forming" vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower may be restricted to ease digestion. Fried, greasy foods and highly-seasoned or spicy foods may also be limited for this reason. Foods may be softened by cooking or mashing. Canned or soft-cooked fruits and vegetables may be used in place of raw or dried varieties. Refined breads and cereals are usually recommended over coarse, whole-grain types. Moist, tender meats, fish, and poultry are permitted; it is not necessary to grind them unless desired. Eating small, frequent meals can help to reduce gas or bloating.
The mechanical soft diet is a close cousin of the soft diet. It gets its name from the fact that household tools and machines, like a blender, meat grinder, or knife, are used to make foods easier to chew and swallow. In contrast to the soft diet, the mechanical soft diet does not restrict fat, fiber, spices, or seasonings. Only the texture and consistency of foods are changed. Fruits and vegetables may be soft-cooked or pureed. Meats, fish, and poultry can be cooked, ground, and moistened with sauce or gravy to make chewing and swallowing more comfortable. Breads and crackers may be limited at first, as they can be dry and difficult to swallow. Milk and other dairy products like pudding, custard, and smooth yogurt may not need to be changed at all! The mechanical soft diet is appropriate for patients who are recovering from head, neck, or mouth surgery, who have dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), narrowing of the esophagus (food tube), or who are too ill or weak to chew. The diet also benefits those who have poorly fitting dentures, no teeth, or other dental problems. Guidelines for the Soft Diet Food Foods Allowed Foods to Avoid Group Beverage all none s Soups mildly seasoned bean, gumbo, split broth, bouillon, pea, or onion soup; or cream soup; chunky soups or strained chowders vegatable soup Meats any moist, Fried chicken or fish; tender meats, fish with bones; fish, or poultry shellfish; fried, (lamb, veal, salted, or smoked chicken, turkey, meats; sausage; tender beef, cold cuts; raw or liver stewed fried eggs; dried pork); eggs (see beans; nuts and exceptions); seeds creamy peanut butter Dairy all low-fat milk (avoid milk if products, lactose-intolerant), smooth yogurt, yogurt with nuts or mild-flavored seeds, sharp or cheese, cottage strong cheeses, cheese cheeses with whole seeds or spices Fruits cooked or all raw fruit (except canned fruit, banana or avocado), soft, fresh dried fruit (dates, banana or raisins), coconut avocado, fruit juice Vegetabl soft-cooked or gas-forming es canned vegetables (broccoli, vegetables (see brussel sprouts, exceptions), cabbage, fresh lettuce or cauliflower, tomato, cucumber, green potatoes pepper, onion (mashed, turnip), whole kernel baked, boiled, corn, raw vegetables
or creamed), vegetable
Grains
(excerpt lettuce or tomato), fried vegetables french fries, hash browns whole-grain breads and cereals (bran, rye with seeds, or whole wheat); breads or rolls with coconut, raisins, nuts, or seeds
refined cooked or ready-to-eat cereal; refined white, wheat, or rye bread, rolls, or crackers; plain white rice; pasta Fats butter, Spicy salad margarine, mild dressings, fried salas dressing, foods mayonnaise, gravy, cream, cream substitute, sour cream, vegetable oil Desserts smooth ice desserts or candy & Sweets cream, ice milk, made with dried or frozen fruit, nuts, coconut; yogurt; sherbet; candied fruit; peanut fruit ices; brittle custards; pubbings; cake or cookies made without nuts or coconut Seasonin ketchup; garlic, horseradish, gs cheese, cream, chili powder, whole tomato, or white or seed herbs and sauces; soy spices, barbeque or sauce; chopped cajun seasonings, or ground leaf worcestershire herbs sauce
Special Considerations As one person may tolerate foods that cause discomfort to another, advice for both the soft and mechanical soft diets will vary according to what is appropriate for each individual patient. Guidelines for the soft diet are looser today than they were in the past, especially with regard to the elimination of high-fiber foods like whole grains and vegetables. The mechanical soft diet may also vary according to what textures of food the patient can best chew or swallow. As everyone's case is different, it is best to get a personalized recommendation on either diet from a physician or registered dietitian.