Nutritional Soft Diet for After Surgery

Patients recovering from most forms of surgery generally start out with a liquid diet. As the patient recovers, soft foods are introduced and the menu is expanded to ensure that the patient receives adequate nutrition while recovering. A soft diet is useful when you no longer require a liquid diet but aren't ready for heavier solid food. Work with a nutritionist or dietitian to develop a special diet that addresses your specific needs.

Breakfast

A nutritional soft diet after surgery can include cereals such as Cream of Wheat, oatmeal and puffed rice but should stay away from bran and whole grain cereals.

Eggs can be included as long as they are soft boiled, scrambled, hardboiled or poached, never raw or fried.

Most breads can be tolerated well, including white bread, seedless rye, French toast, pancakes and waffles, and biscuits. Again, avoid whole grain bread and anything with seeds, such as pumpernickel and seeded rye bread.

Dairy products including milk, milkshakes, pasteurized eggnog, cottage cheese, yogurt, mild-flavored cheese, ice cream and custards can be included as long as there is no problem digesting milk.

Butter and margarine are allowed, along with cream and cream substitutes, sour cream and mayonnaise.

Most fruits, such as cantaloupe, watermelon, peaches and pears, and fruit juices, including fruit nectars and vegetable juice, are permissible. Bananas and avocados are all right, but other raw fruits such as pineapple, grapes, plums and rhubarb are not advised.

A nutritious soft breakfast might include fruit juice, an egg--scrambled, hard-boiled or poached--toast with butter or margarine and jelly, and a beverage.

Lunch

Clear soup, such as bouillon, broth and consomm, are easily digested, but stay away from onion soup, chowder, or chili.

Most vegetables, as long as they are cooked, can be safely eaten. These include carrots and beets, spinach and squash. Avoid raw vegetables.

A light, nutritious lunch might consist of fruit juice with an entre of meat, fish or poultry along with a vegetable, and bread with butter or margarine.

Dinner

Meats such as beef, lamb or veal are allowed as long as they are served in soft form such as baked, broiled, stewed or roasted. Cold cuts and fried or smoked meats are not recommended. Chicken and turkey should be tolerated well. Fish--fresh, cooked, frozen or boneless--is good, but fried fish and shellfish, herring and sardines are not recommended.

Starches such as baked, boiled, creamed, and mashed potatoes can be included, along with rice and pasta. Avoid French fries, potato salad, hash browns, and bread stuffing.

A dinner menu could include an entre of meat, fish or poultry along with a potato and other vegetable, bread or a roll with butter or margarine, and dessert and a beverage.

Desserts and Snacks

Ice cream, sherbet, custards and gelatin are fine for dessert. Small amounts of candy such as fudge and mints, along with honey, jelly, and syrups are allowed, but candied fruits, marmalade and jams are off limits. A soft diet should not include popcorn and potato chips, barbecue, or anything spicy or with seeds or nuts.