Madeleine Hull
Soft diets are often recommended to help people heal after surgery or an illness, especially when there are chewing or swallowing difficulties involved. They are typically followed for a few days to a few weeks, but certain circumstances may require a longer duration. Soft diets are usually low in fiber and consist of foods that are easy to digest and swallow, requiring minimal to no chewing. This can be achieved by mashing, grinding, or pureeing foods to achieve a softer texture. To increase calorie intake on a soft diet, it is recommended to consume high-calorie drinks and add butter to liquidized foods. Additionally, having small frequent meals with snacks in between can help boost nutritional and calorie intake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meal frequency | Small, frequent meals with snacks in between |
| Eating pace | Take time to eat meals |
| Food consistency | Soft, tender, moist, and well-chewed |
| Food texture | Puréed, liquid, mashed, ground, or chopped |
| Food type | Stews, casseroles, sauces, gravies, custard, ice cream, yoghurt, mousse, jelly, full-fat dairy, butter, milk, cream, eggs, fruits, and vegetables |
| Food preparation | Long, slow cooking to soften food |
| Drink type | High-calorie drinks, milkshakes, and dairy products |
| Drink temperature | Warm or cold |
| Drink quantity | 8-10 glasses of water or liquid per day |
| Eating posture | Sit upright during and after meals |
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What You'll Learn
Eat calorie-rich snacks between meals
A soft food diet is often recommended to help people heal after surgery or an illness. It is also used to treat swallowing disorders, collectively known as dysphagia. Soft diets are also used as transitional diets between full liquid or pureed diets and regular diets.
If you are on a soft diet, it can be difficult to eat a wide variety of foods and get enough calories to stay healthy and maintain your weight. Eating calorie-rich snacks between meals can help you increase your calorie intake and ensure you are getting adequate nutrition.
- Natural peanut butter or other nut butter on a sliced apple or banana.
- English muffin with a tablespoon of nut butter, which typically adds around 250 calories to your diet.
- Energy balls made with peanut butter, toasted quinoa, and almond date.
- No-bake chocolate peanut butter cookies incorporating peanut butter and ground almonds.
- Avocado on toast, which will add about 250 calories.
- Avocado brownie bites, a rich and healthy snack option with about 165 calories each.
- Greek yogurt, which has a rich, creamy texture and about twice as much protein as traditional yogurt, along with more calories.
In addition to snacks, you can also have high-calorie drinks to boost your calorie intake.
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Drink high-calorie drinks
If you are looking to increase your calorie intake while on a soft diet, drinking high-calorie drinks is an effective way to do so. Here are some ideas for drinks that can help you boost your calorie intake:
Milkshakes
Milkshakes are a great way to increase your calorie intake. You can make milkshakes with ice cream, bananas, chocolate, or strawberries. For example, you can make a strawberry milkshake with fresh strawberries and ice cream, or a chocolate milkshake with chocolate syrup and milk. You can also add ice cream to your milkshakes for extra calories. Additionally, you can experiment with different combinations of fruits, ice cream, and dairy products to create your own unique milkshake flavors.
BOOST® Very High Calorie Nutritional Drink
BOOST® offers a range of high-calorie nutritional drinks that are designed to help with weight gain or maintenance. Each 8-fluid-ounce serving of BOOST® Very High Calorie provides 530 calories, 22 grams of high-quality protein, and 26 vitamins and minerals. These drinks are available in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. You can consume them as a snack or with a meal, and they are suitable for fluid-restricted diets as well.
Protein Shakes and Smoothies
Protein shakes and smoothies are an excellent way to increase your calorie intake while also providing your body with essential nutrients. You can make protein shakes with various ingredients such as full-fat Greek yogurt, nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables, protein powders, and healthy fats like avocado or flaxseed oil. These shakes can be tailored to your taste preferences and nutritional needs. Additionally, you can include caffeine in your protein shakes, such as coffee, to create a pre-workout drink that jump-starts weight gain.
Kefir-Based Smoothies
Kefir is a fermented milk beverage that has a similar taste to yogurt and is loaded with beneficial bacteria. You can use full-fat kefir as a base for your smoothies to boost the calorie content. Combine kefir with other calorie-dense and nutritious ingredients to create a well-rounded and tasty smoothie.
Remember to always consult with a healthcare professional or dietitian before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have any medical conditions or dietary restrictions. They can provide personalized advice and ensure that your increased calorie intake aligns with your specific needs and health goals.
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Add butter to liquidised foods
A soft food diet is often recommended to help people heal after surgery or an illness. It can also be used to treat swallowing disorders, or dysphagia, which is common in older adults and those with neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Soft diets are also used as transitional diets between full liquid or pureed diets and regular diets.
If you are on a soft diet, you can add butter to liquidised foods to increase your calorie intake. You can also use milk or cream instead of water when mashing or liquidising foods.
- Take your time when you eat your meals and make sure you chew your food well.
- Take sips of liquid between mouthfuls.
- Eat more stews and casseroles. Long, slow cooking softens meat, beans, pulses and vegetables.
- Use more sauces, gravies, cream, butter, milk or custard to soften foods. Moist food is easier to swallow than dry food.
- Make milkshakes (banana, chocolate, strawberry) and add ice cream for extra calories. Use dairy-free alternatives if required.
- Mince or finely chop meat and vegetables in a food processor before or after cooking. Liquidise meat or vegetable casseroles or curries to make tasty soups.
- Avoid foods that need a lot of chewing or are harder to swallow.
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Eat more stews and casseroles
If you are following a soft diet, eating more stews and casseroles is a great way to increase your calorie intake. A soft diet is often recommended to help people heal after surgery or an illness, and it can also help with swallowing disorders, collectively known as dysphagia.
Stews and casseroles are ideal for a soft diet because the long, slow cooking process softens meat, beans, pulses, and vegetables, making them easier to chew and digest. To increase the calorie content of your stews and casseroles, consider the following tips:
- Use a variety of ingredients: Include a mix of meats, beans, pulses, and vegetables in your stews and casseroles. For example, you can make a hearty beef stew with dumplings, a chicken stew, or a vegan stew with vegetables and plant-based proteins.
- Add high-calorie ingredients: Boost the calorie content of your stews and casseroles by adding ingredients such as butter, cream, milk, or cheese. For example, serve a stew with a warm cheese scone on the side.
- Use fattier cuts of meat: Instead of opting for lean meats, choose fattier cuts that will increase the calorie content of your dish. For example, use regular chicken breasts instead of low-fat ones in a chicken casserole.
- Include dense carbohydrates: Carbohydrates like potatoes, rice, or couscous can add calories to your stews and casseroles. For example, make a risotto-like stew with bacon, veggies, and rice or couscous.
- Top with extras: Add extra calories by topping your stews and casseroles with ingredients such as toasted pine nuts, grated cheese, or a dollop of butter.
Remember, it is important to speak to a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have specific dietary restrictions or requirements. They can provide personalized advice and ensure that your dietary choices align with your health goals.
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Eat dairy products with high protein content
Dairy products are a great way to increase your calorie intake on a soft diet. A soft diet is often recommended to help people heal after surgery or an illness, and to treat swallowing disorders. Dairy products are a good source of protein, which is key for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function. They also provide calcium, which is essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth.
To increase your calorie intake, choose dairy products with a high protein percentage. This will ensure that you get enough calories from protein rather than fats and carbs. For best results, choose foods with a protein percentage of 35% or more. For example, plain nonfat Greek yogurt has a high protein percentage, but low-fat and full-fat Greek yogurt are also excellent choices.
Other high-protein dairy products include cottage cheese, which can provide up to 14 grams of protein per half-cup, and cheese, with cheddar cheese containing about 7 grams of protein per ounce. Whey protein, derived from milk, is also a complete protein that is quickly digested and supports muscle recovery. It is a popular choice among athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
In addition to Greek yogurt and cheese, milk and whey protein are also good sources of protein. Lactose-free milk is an option for those who are lactose intolerant, offering 8 grams of protein or more per serving. By incorporating high-protein dairy into your diet, you can support muscle growth, aid in recovery, and promote overall health.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to increase your calorie intake while on a soft diet. You can add butter to liquidised foods, have plenty of high-calorie drinks, and eat more soft snacks between meals.
You can make milkshakes with bananas, chocolate, or strawberries and add ice cream for extra calories.
You can eat ice cream, yoghurt, mousse, or jelly between meals.
You can eat more stews and casseroles. Long, slow cooking softens meat, beans, pulses, and vegetables. You can also use more sauces, gravies, cream, butter, milk, or custard to soften foods. Moist food is easier to swallow than dry food.
