Many seniors choose to switch to a soft food diet for a variety of reasons. It can be challenging to get the nutrition you need, while still enjoying your favorite foods. Soft food diets can be particularly difficult around the holiday season. Luckily, there are plenty of soft foods to eat during the holidays that will nourish your body and satisfy your holiday cravings. Check out our holiday favorites and find soft foods to eat year round.
Why Switch to a Soft Food Diet?
Seniors choose soft food diets for a variety of reasons including dysphagia, surgery, and dentures. These conditions can make it difficult to swallow or digest normal foods. Switching to a soft food diet allows you to get the proper nutrition, without the fear of choking or aggravating a health condition. If you’re experiencing problems with chewing or swallowing, or if you’re suffering from digestive issues, consider switching to a soft food diet.
Soft Foods to Eat Year Round
If you’re planning a long-term soft food diet, it’s important to choose options that provide you with the proper nutrition. Eating a healthy diet can help with many medical conditions including memory loss. Unfortunately, soft food diets often cut out foods across food groups that are high in nutrients including raw fruits and vegetables, meats and whole grains. Seniors who choose soft food diets must be more conscious of their consumption to make sure they aren’t depriving their bodies of essential nutrients. Check out these solutions to help you succeed in your soft food diet:
Easy Soft Foods to Eat
There are plenty of soft food options that require minimal preparation. These soft food ideas are perfect for snacks, and they can be combined to create balanced meals. It’s important to note how strict your soft diet will be. Some of these foods may still be too difficult to swallow depending on your condition.
- Eggs
- Jello
- Pudding
- Yogurt
- Avocados
- Soft fish
- Bananas
- Applesauce
- Mashed potatoes
- Oatmeal
- Peanut butter
- Tofu
- Broths and Soups
- Dips
Shakes & Smoothies
If you’re looking for a change of pace from the usual mashed potatoes, consider making your own smoothies or shakes. Protein shakes are great meal replacements. You can add in protein supplements, combine your favorite flavors and add ingredients for calories to ensure that you’re getting the nutrition you need. Consider adding your favorite fruits and veggies, juices, yogurt or seeds. Because everything is completely blended, there should be no swallowing issues.
Pureed Meals
For more flexibility in your soft food diet, consider pureed meals. Pureed meals allow you to consume nearly any food, but it’s important to remember your body’s tolerance for hard foods. If you’re particularly sensitive, you may need to peel hard skins from fruits and avoid hard foods like nuts. Home Care Nutrition sells a variety of pureed options, and the site customizes their products by common medical conditions.
Soft Foods to Eat During the Holidays
It’s easy to become frustrated with your soft food diet around the holidays. Fortunately, the holidays are full of soft food options. These holiday foods are sure to satisfy your holiday cravings, but they should be combined with other food options for a nutritionally balanced meal. Here’s a list of soft holiday favorites:
Thanksgiving
- Cranberry Sauce
- Pumpkin Pie (without the crust)
- Mashed Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Stuffing
Christmas
- Christmas pudding
- Egg Nog
- Chocolate cream pie
- Stuffing
- Cream corn
- Hot Cocoa
- Tea
Thinking about switching to a soft food diet this holiday season? Consider our Home Care options. We’ll help you manage your eating habits and make sure you’re taken care of.
What are your favorite soft foods for the holidays? Comment below!
