Simple Soft Diet Meal Plan [Free PDF]

“Simple Soft Diet Meal Plan [Free PDF]” was written by Nicole Kuperus & edited/reviewed by Aly Bouzek, MS, RDN. Nicole is a dietetic intern at Saint Elizabeth University. 

Are you having trouble chewing or swallowing food? Or has one of your loved ones been prescribed a soft diet? Are you looking for a simple soft diet meal plan? 

If this is you, then you are in the right place. This article will give you some ideas for foods and meals that you can include in a soft diet, as well as a free simple soft diet meal plan PDF. 

What is a Soft Diet?

A soft diet is a diet that consists of foods that are soft, tender, and moist so that they are easier to chew and swallow. 

What are the first food items that you think of when you hear “soft diet?” Do your first thoughts go to Jell-O and chicken broth? 

The purpose of this article is to help you realize that it is possible to eat a well-balanced diet of soft foods with flavor and variety. It may take a little creativity and planning, but there is no need for a soft diet to be boring or lacking in nutrition. 

Soft Foods and Soft Diet

Soft foods are the food items that make up a soft diet. There are four main soft food diets:

1. Easy-to-chew: this method does not have specifics on the size of the food pieces. For easy-to-chew foods, you should be able to bite off pieces of soft and tender food and choose bite-sizes that are safe to chew and swallow without tiring easily. 

Do not choose foods that are: hard, tough, chewy, fibrous, have stringy textures, pits/seeds, bones, or gristle. 

2. Soft-and-bite sized: this method is soft, tender and moist, but with no thin liquid leaking/dripping from the food. If the food is the right consistency, the ability to bite off a piece of food is not required. Food should be able to be mashed/broken down with pressure from a fork (a knife is not needed to cut this food).

3. Minced and moist: this method is soft and moist, but with no liquid leaking/dripping from the food. Biting is not required, though minimal chewing is necessary. 

Lumps can be mashed with the tongue. Food can be easily mashed with just a little pressure from a fork. Should be able to scoop food onto a fork, with no liquid dripping and no crumbles falling off the fork. 

4. Pureed: this method does not require chewing. The food should have a smooth texture with no lumps, and it should hold its shape on a spoon. It should also fall off a spoon in a single spoonful when tilted, should not be sticky, and liquid (like sauces) cannot separate from solids.

Additional Information

Additional information on these diets can be found at the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI). For more details on each of the specific diets, the resources page linked here will bring you to where you can find more information.  

Disclaimer: If you are having issues with chewing or swallowing, always consult with your doctor first. Your prescribed diet will be individualized for your needs. This content is intended to be informational only and is not medical advice.

Who Needs a Soft Diet?

Soft diets are for individuals who are having difficulty chewing or swallowing and need to find a way to get enough calories and nutrition through easy-to-chew, soft and bite-sized, minced and moist, or pureed foods. 

A soft diet can be beneficial for individuals who have:

1. Declining oral health, no teeth, or poorly fitting dentures
2. Mouth discomfort after a tooth extraction or dental implant surgery
3. Difficulty swallowing (i.e., dysphagia), which may be caused by head and neck cancer
4. Esophageal disorders
5. Neurological conditions, like stroke, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease
6. Neuromuscular disorders, like myasthenia gravis (MG)
7. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the head or neck area
8. Mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as that caused by acute gastroenteritis, or those recovering from a surgery or debilitating illness

Disclaimer: talk to your healthcare team about your individual needs. A swallow study and evaluation by a Speech Language Pathologist is needed for those with swallowing difficulty.

What is a Soft Diet Meal Plan? 

A soft diet meal plan is a guide to help with planning daily meals and snacks consisting of soft foods. 

Why Might You Need a Soft Diet Meal Plan?

A soft diet meal plan may be needed if you or a loved one is prescribed a soft diet, and you are in need of ideas for foods you can safely eat. 

Or, maybe you have been regularly eating the same soft foods and are looking for more variety. You may even be struggling to figure out what to eat to maintain a balanced diet.  

Why is it Important to Make a Meal Plan?

Meal plans help keep you organized when preparing meals, stay on track while grocery shopping, and keep meals interesting. Healthy eating is important at every age. 

A meal plan can also help prevent diseases, such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. For older adults, it is especially crucial to consume adequate protein to prevent additional muscle loss due to aging. 

To meal plan, start with these tips: 

1. See what you have. Plan meals around foods you already have in your refrigerator, freezer, and cabinets. 

2. Map out your meals. Write out the meals and snacks you plan to eat for the week to use as a guide. 

3. Find balance. Plan your meals so that you eat from all five food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy or fortified soy products) every day. 

When planning, be aware of added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium by reading the Nutrition Facts label on food products. 

4. Think about your schedule. Prepare meals and sides on the weekends when you may have more time. This will help save time and mental energy during busy weekdays. 

5. Make a grocery list. Start by listing ingredients for the meals you plan to make, and then cross off items you already have. Planning out and buying food for a week can help you make fewer shopping trips. 

6. Love your leftovers. Prepare extra portions of your meals to eat multiple times during the week, or freeze some to enjoy at a later time. Making leftovers part of your plan can save you time and money.

Guidelines for Soft Diet Meal Plans 

• Soft Textures: The main characteristic of a soft diet is the texture of the food. All foods should be soft, tender, and easy to chew. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that may be difficult to swallow or irritate the digestive tract.
• Cook and Process Foods: Many foods can be softened by cooking or processing them. Boiling, steaming, baking, and slow-cooking are excellent methods for preparing soft foods. Blending, pureeing, or mashing can also create smooth textures.
• Nutrient Balance: Aim to include a variety of nutrients in the soft diet to ensure adequate nourishment. Include sources of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
• Hydration: Encourage adequate fluid intake, but avoid very hot or very cold beverages, as they may cause discomfort.

Always consult a registered dietitian or healthcare professional before starting a soft diet, as individual needs may vary based on health conditions and personal circumstances. 

Foods to Include

• Protein: soft eggs (scrambled, poached, egg salad), soft tofu, finely minced or ground meats (chicken, turkey, beef), nut butters (smooth only), soft fish, well-cooked beans and legumes
• Carbohydrates: cooked & moist cereals (oatmeal, cream of wheat), extra cooked & moist rice, pasta, polenta, quinoa, couscous, mashed potatoes, soft bread without crusts (rolls, pancakes, etc.)
• Fruits: canned or cooked fruits (peaches, pears, apples), fruit puree (applesauce), ripe bananas, fruit juices without pulp, jelly
• Vegetables: cooked and mashed vegetables (carrots, peas, sweet potatoes), vegetable purees, smooth guacamole, well-cooked greens
• Dairy: milk, smooth yogurt, pudding, smoothies, soft cheeses, melted cheeses, cottage cheese
• Soups and Broths: smooth, pureed soups and broths (egg drop, tomato, chowder, split pea, lentil, broccoli cheddar, etc.) 

*Note: This list is not exhaustive. Use caution in which foods you select or avoid based on your individual situation.

If you are interested in learning about more ideas for soft foods (including specific foods to eat), then check out these articles:

• 13 Great Tasting Soft Foods for the Elderly
• 101 Soft Foods to Eat When Chewing Hurts
• 15 Foods You Can Eat Without Chewing

Foods to AVOID

On a soft diet, it’s important to avoid certain types of foods that could be difficult to chew, swallow, or digest.

Dry Foods: Generally speaking, dry foods require more time chewing so that they become moist enough to swallow. Add extra sauce or moisture to dry foods to make them more suitable. 

Avoid bread with thick and hard crusts, al dente pasta, any tough or chewy grain (i.e., whole grains may be too dense and hard to chew). Avoid hard cheeses as well.

Crunchy & Chewy Foods: Crunchy foods can be a choking risk and/or make oral or dental pain worse. Cooking and/or breaking down foods into small pieces can often make them safe to eat. Steer clear of foods that are hard, crunchy or chewing, as they can be difficult to chew.

Sticky & Hard Foods: Foods like caramel, taffy, chewy candies, and hard candies should be avoided.

Protein: Avoid tough and fibrous meats such as steak, pork chops, or under/overcooked meat. Choose tender, ground, or finely minced meats instead.

Fruits and Vegetables: Avoid raw vegetables and raw fruits with tough skins, as they can be hard to chew and may cause discomfort. Cook or steam them to soften before eating. Note: even when cooked, some vegetables can remain fibrous and hard to chew.

Avoid vegetables like broccoli, green beans, asparagus, and corn on the cob.

Nuts and Seeds: Small seeds and nuts can pose a choking hazard and may be difficult to chew properly. Avoid foods with seeds, like strawberries, and nuts in their whole form.

Remember, a soft diet should still be nutritionally balanced.

Focus on soft, easy-to-chew alternatives that provide essential nutrients. If you have specific dietary restrictions or medical conditions, consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized recommendations.

FREE 5-Day Simple Soft Foods Diet Meal Plan

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FREE Blank Soft Foods Diet Meal Plan

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Soft Diet Meal Plan Ideas

Breakfast Ideas

• Scrambled egg with cheese and spinach, cantaloupe on the side
• Soft-boiled eggs with smooth yogurt 
• Hot cereal such as oatmeal, grits, cream of wheat, with a smoothie to drink
• Cold cereal softened with milk, with a protein shake to drink
• Soft breads or pancakes with syrup and pureed fruit

Lunch Ideas

• Lentil soup with soft bread or mashed sweet potato
• Egg salad sandwich with applesauce
• Tuna salad sandwich with yogurt
• Mac and cheese with small beef crumbles and steamed broccoli
• Tomato soup with cheesy garlic breadsticks
• Burrito bowl with soft Mexican rice, black beans, avocado, lime, and salsa
• Mexican polenta with soft (or refried) pinto beans, guacamole, and salsa
• Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans
• Soft Dinner Ideas

• Pasta marinara with canned chicken and steamed broccoli
• Poached salmon, mashed or baked skinless sweet potato, and well cooked green beans
• Spinach quiche, mashed cauliflower (cook cauliflower to soft and mash with butter, milk, salt and pepper)
• Baked or poached tender fish (e.g., tilapia, sole) seasoned with herbs and lemon juice with steamed or mashed carrots
• Soft tofu stir-fried with well-cooked zucchini and bell peppers
• Baked, tender chicken breast shredded and mixed with steamed, mashed broccoli

Snack and Dessert Ideas

• Pound cake with strained seedless berry puree
• Pudding cups with whipped cream
• Ice cream with chocolate sauce
• Cottage cheese with mashed peaches or pears
• Greek yogurt with blended berries (avoid seeds) or applesauce
• Avocado mashed on soft bread

Simple Soft Diet Meal Plan Conclusion

Key takeaways:

1. A soft diet is a diet that consists of foods that are soft, tender, and moist so that they are easier to chew and swallow. 
2. The simple soft diet meal plan that we’ve provided will, hopefully, demonstrate that it is possible to eat a well-balanced diet consisting of soft foods with flavor and variety. 
3. Planning ahead or following a meal plan can be a great way of keeping meals exciting and varied, while keeping you satisfied with nutrient-dense soft foods. This USDA resource on meal planning is a great resource!
4. Lastly, remember to customize the plan to fit your dietary needs and restrictions, and always consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian if you have specific health concerns.