At some point you have heard the term soft diet, or worse, you have had to experience it. The reality is that it is not a horror, in fact it is quite beneficial for our health and for facilitating some of our body’s recovery process. Generally speaking, the white diet is a type of diet that is undertaken when our body has been affected by an illness. In this way, a series of “light foods” are chosen to help the digestive system rest after suffering from a pathology. Today in mentta‘s post we tell you what foods to eat in a soft diet.

The purpose of a soft or gastric protection diet is to protect the digestive, oral or laryngopharyngeal mucosa. It is a diet consisting of eating a varied diet of foods that do not irritate the digestive tract. This is done by means of culinary techniques such as steaming, boiling, etc., which contribute to digestion and allow our body to continue its recovery process properly.

What foods can I eat on the soft diet?

 

The foods that should make up the soft diet are those that basically do not give too much work to the digestive system and do not stimulate gastric secretion sufficiently. In other words, foods with a texture that does not irritate the digestive tract. For this reason, one of the star foods are rice, white bread, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cous cous… ” The soft diet avoids an excess of fibre and fats. It is a diet based on cooking that is easy to digest and includes refined cereals, vegetables that are not excessively fibrous, lean meats and white fish, etc.” says Mercè Gonzalo, a graduate in Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

Meat is a basic food in our diet, so it is not left out of the soft diet either, but meat that is easy to digest. These include chicken, turkey and rabbit; beef and pork are excluded from the diet. On the other hand, low-fat foods are perfect, as fat is more difficult to digest and is a strain on the body, so cod, sole, whiting… are ideal fish for the soft diet because of their low fat content.

Eggs are a special case where individual tolerance must be assessed. The yolk contains fats that can be unfavourable to our system in the case of various pathologies, so it is necessary to assess its digestibility beforehand. The egg white can also be consumed without any problem and the yolk can then be introduced. Along with eggs, dairy products are suitable for this type of diet as long as they are low in fat, with no added sugars and no salt.

Finally, our companions, fruit and vegetables, can be consumed as long as they are cooked and in purées. Fruit must be cooked or mashed, with no added sugars, and citrus fruit must be left out.

List of foods

According to Medline Plus, foods suitable for the bland diet are:

• Milk and other dairy products, low-fat or fat-free only.
• Cooked, canned or frozen vegetables
• Canned fruits as well as applesauce, bananas and melon
• Fruit and vegetable juices (some people, especially those with GERD, may want to avoid citrus fruits and tomatoes)
• Breads, biscuits and pasta made with refined white flour
• Hot, refined cereals
• Tender, lean meats, such as poultry, white fish and seafood, prepared by steaming, baking or grilling without added fat
• Creamy peanut butter
• Pudding and custard
• Graham crackers and vanilla waffle biscuits
• Ice pops and jellies
• Eggs
• Tofu
• Soup, especially broth
• Light tea

Buy cooked vegetables at mentta

What foods are forbidden?

 

 

The foods that should be kept away are those that are ultra-processed, such as hamburgers, sausages… But also whole grains and fatty fish, as they are more difficult to digest and require more effort.

Fruit and vegetables, the healthy foods of the pyramid, lose prominence in this diet. Especially raw vegetables and fruit, although cooked fruit is a good accompaniment to the diet, raw pulses and fruit are acidic, irritating or flatulent. To return to normal consumption, it is necessary to introduce them into the diet little by little and check the person’s tolerance towards them.

Acidic juices, coffees, sugary soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, spicy dishes, highly seasoned dishes, etc. should all be eliminated from the diet as they can irritate the digestive tract. Also, in case it wasn’t clear, the cooking technique of choice is boiling, leaving out all fried and battered dishes, as well as baked goods. Why? Because they can damage the walls of the digestive tract.

List of foods

According to Medline Plus, forbidden foods for the bland diet are:

• Fatty dairy, such as whipped cream or high-fat ice cream
• Strong cheeses, such as blue cheese or Roquefort cheese
• Raw vegetables and salads
• Gas-producing vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, green peppers and corn
• Dried fruits
• Bran or whole grain cereals
• Whole-grain crackers, pasta or breads
• Pickles, sauerkraut and other fermented foods
• Strong spices and seasonings, such as chili peppers and garlic
• Foods that contain a lot of sugar
• Seeds and nuts
• Heavily seasoned, smoked or cured fish and meats
• Hard, fibrous meats
• Fried foods
• Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages

Buy fish at mentta

 

How can I adapt it to my vegetarian diet?

For people who opt for a vegan or vegetarian diet, there are also other alternatives. Pureed or peeled pulses, such as lentils. Cooked peas, for example, are also easier to eat than pureed peas. The fact is that any type of legume is suitable for a vegetarian diet, but it is the texture that matters. For this reason, cooking or pureeing is recommended.

Tofu is another great ally, especially white tofu, as its texture does not stimulate gastric secretion too much. In addition, its nutritional properties make it a highly recommended food. Dairy products such as rice milk, almond milk, etc. are also easier to digest.

Buy tofu at mentta

 

References

• Main, P., Medical, E. and Soft, D., 2021. Soft diet: MedlinePlus medical encyclopedia. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: <Soft diet: MedlinePlus medical encyclopedia>.
• abc. 2021. What is a soft diet and what foods can I eat. [online] Available at: <What is a soft diet and what foods can I eat (abc.es)>.