Food
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are Some Soft Foods?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Soft foods are any type of food options that are easy to ingest. While many people enjoy these types of foods along with other foods that require more chewing and time to digest, there are situations when planning a diet consisting mainly of softer foods is necessary.

One of the more common reasons to go with a soft food diet is because of surgery that impacts the jaws or the mouth. During the recuperation period, chewing may be completely out of the question. Obtaining essential vitamins and nutrients each day is especially important, as the body needs energy to heal. If moving the jaws even a small amount is painful, pureed foods that are thin enough to be sucked through a straw are an excellent option. Thin soups, such as tomato soup, may also add some variety to the diet as well. For a treat, a protein powder mixed with milk will often suffice for a dessert.

Baby food is a type of soft food.
Baby food is a type of soft food.

A soft diet may also be a good idea just after braces are placed on the teeth. Initially, the teeth and gums are often sore from the installation of the braces, making chewing an unpleasant experience. Fortunately, there are foods for braces that require little or no chewing. Mashed potatoes are an excellent example of a soft food that will not cause a great deal of distress. While not quite as good an option, dishes such as macaroni and cheese require very little in the way of chewing. Make sure to cook the pasta a little longer so that the macaroni is very soft.

Protein powder can be added to milk for a soft food treat.
Protein powder can be added to milk for a soft food treat.

Soft foods for babies can also be helpful for people who need to observe a soft diet for a short period of time. While few adults prefer baby food to regular fare, this option does provide a great deal of variety in choices of vegetables and fruits. Further, baby food is filling and contains nutrients that are needed by adults as well as babies. To make the vegetables more palatable to adult tastes, use finely ground spices to enhance the flavor.

A soft diet may also be a good idea just after braces are placed on the teeth.
A soft diet may also be a good idea just after braces are placed on the teeth.

When then teeth and gums are sensitive, soft foods can also come in handy. Generally, foods for sensitive teeth need to be free of acid content and served at room temperature. Even if the food is soft, the use of cold or hot foods can cause a great deal of pain. Go with cream soups that can be cooked and cooled to room temperature, along with pureed vegetables that are allowed to reach room temperature. For a dessert, go with powdered milk that is made with slightly warm water and a dry chocolate mix.

Soft foods can include pureed vagetables.
Soft foods can include pureed vagetables.

Soft foods for older individuals can include a great deal of variety, assuming that the teeth or gums are not sensitive and the ingestion of soft food is more a matter of preventing indigestion from taking place. Here, it is possible to cook down fruits and vegetables until they require very little chewing and are not likely to cause acid reflux or to become lodged in the throat. Puddings and flavored gelatins are also good options that are less likely to cause any issues. Even bread may be an acceptable choice, after taking care to soak the bread in a small amount of milk. Older people also benefit from using a juicer to create healthy beverages loaded with all the nutrients of various fruits and vegetables but without the bulk.

Some kinds of cheeses are soft.
Some kinds of cheeses are soft.

The choice of soft foods depends a great deal on the reasons behind the diet. What will work well for an individual who has undergone facial reconstructive surgery is likely to be different from the foods needed by someone with sensitive teeth. By taking into consideration the specific needs of the individual, it is possible to prepare the foods in a manner that will be easy to ingest, contains the essential nutrients, and will not cause a great deal of discomfort.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon264027

And yes baby food tastes good. I am having a tonsillectomy and wisdom teeth removed so I think I am looking forward to eating soft foods.

anon54485

I have not had oral surgery or any of the other reasons described. I had polyps removed during a colonoscopy and one was rather large and had to have a clip installed where it was removed. My doctor recommended a soft diet to keep the clip in place. I appreciate your info on soft foods, but there are other reasons for a soft diet than oral problems.

anon48464

How can baby food taste good?

overreactor

Macaroni and cheese is definitely a soft food since in this dish macaroni are better when overcooked than undercooked. Al dente pasta might be good for some other pasta dishes but not for macaroni and cheese.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Baby food is a type of soft food.
      By: Coprid
      Baby food is a type of soft food.
    • Protein powder can be added to milk for a soft food treat.
      By: lculig
      Protein powder can be added to milk for a soft food treat.
    • A soft diet may also be a good idea just after braces are placed on the teeth.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      A soft diet may also be a good idea just after braces are placed on the teeth.
    • Soft foods can include pureed vagetables.
      By: Serghei Velusceac
      Soft foods can include pureed vagetables.
    • Some kinds of cheeses are soft.
      By: Anna Bobrowska
      Some kinds of cheeses are soft.
    • Soft foods might help someone who is being treated for dental issues.
      By: sergmar
      Soft foods might help someone who is being treated for dental issues.
    • Mashed potatoes are a nutritious, soft food.
      By: anjelagr
      Mashed potatoes are a nutritious, soft food.
    • Cold foods can cause pain for those with sensitive teeth or gums.
      By: Dan Race
      Cold foods can cause pain for those with sensitive teeth or gums.