20+ Soft Food Ideas That Are Actually Satisfying
Updated: Apr. 04, 2023
Put down that third cup of pudding! We have tons of satisfying soft food ideas for anyone on a post-surgery diet.
At some point or another, you may find yourself needing to follow a soft foods diet. But what does a “soft diet” mean? What foods are allowed? And—most importantly—how can you meet your nutritional needs? We break down the answers to these questions (and more)!
Just got braces? Reach for these nutritious soft foods.
Why would I follow a soft foods diet?
There are lots of reasons you may need to follow a soft diet. Oral surgery, difficulty swallowing or GI tract surgery (which affects your esophagus, stomach or intestines) are just a few examples. And with all of these issues, a temporary soft diet helps your body heal without putting extra strain on the affected area.
What are examples of soft foods?
When trying to figure out which foods are considered “soft,” there are a few good rules to follow. The food should be easily mushed with a fork and broken down without a lot of chewing. You’ll want to avoid foods with seeds and skins as well as raw veggies, fruits (unless they are very soft), nuts and tough cuts of meat.
What are some soft foods to eat after oral surgery (or otherwise)?
Here are some great go-to’s that are actually satisfying:
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Smoothies and shakes
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Yogurt, pudding and ice cream
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Avocado
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Smooth soups, or those with very soft chunks
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Mashed potatoes, or a soft baked potato without the skin
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Cooked fruits, like applesauce
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Ripe fruits, like bananas or peaches without the skin
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Peeled veggies, cooked until soft
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Oatmeal and other hot cereals
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Pasta, cooked until very soft
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Soft bread without whole grains, seeds or nuts
- Gelatin desserts (like this smooth lime gelatin salad)
What soft foods are high in protein?
Given that soft food diets are typically recommended after a surgery, eating enough protein is important for the healing process. But seeing as a lot of high-protein foods aren’t considered “soft,” how can you meet your needs? Here are some great options:
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Tender meats, like pot roast, shredded chicken or pulled pork (Gravy is your friend on a soft diet!)
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Yogurt or kefir
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Nut butters, like peanut, almond or cashew
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Smoothies made with protein powder, yogurt, kefir or nut butters
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Soft scrambled eggs and egg salad
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Tuna and shredded chicken salad
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Flaky fish, like salmon
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Cottage cheese and other soft cheeses, like fresh mozzarella
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Refried beans, soft-cooked beans and bean soup
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Silken tofu
While following a soft diet after surgery or with a medical condition can seem intimidating, it’s very attainable (and can also be super delicious)! With some creativity and planning, you can include all of the major food groups and pack in enough protein for proper healing. Make sure you try these high-protein low-carb snacks.
Try These Soft Food Recipes
Mashed Potatoes with CheddarWho doesn’t love fluffy, homemade mashed potatoes? Make them even better with sharp cheddar cheese. To get them really creamy, my mother's secret was to add whipping cream instead of half-and-half. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Mom's Macaroni and CheeseThe wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy Velveeta mac and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother's kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina
Mushroom StuffingI first tried this stuffing a few years ago, and it quickly became our family's favorite. Just flavor a hearty cornbread mix with mushrooms and bacon and taste the spectacular results. —Kathy Traetow, Waverly, Iowa
Slow-Cooker Butternut Squash SoupMuch of the work for this soup can be done in advance, and it keeps all day in the slow cooker. The recipe can easily be doubled if you’re feeding a crowd. Once you’ve tried it, try mixing it up—add sage or savory with the thyme, or replace the thyme with nutmeg. For a vegan version, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. —Jennifer Machado, Alta, California
Favorite Banana Split SmoothiesI try to get as many fruits and veggies into our menus as possible. A smoothie is a great way to load up on nutrients. This banana one is a favorite! —Tiffany Van Zee, Pella, Iowa
Ginger ApplesauceWhen it's apple-picking time, it's also time for all the delightful treats you can make with them, including applesauce. This is my favorite way to prepare it. It's simple to do and it makes the whole house smell like fall. —Renee Pajestka, Brunswick, Ohio
White Cheddar Mac & CheeseMy mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Pumpkin WhipEven though this dessert is quick to fix, it has a creamy pumpkin taste and golden harvest look...just like traditional pumpkin pie. It's a great dessert for both everyday dinners and special-occasion suppers.—Linda Clapp, Stow, Ohio
Ginger Honey Marinated SalmonGinger, garlic powder and green onion blend nicely for this marinated salmon. We've found it tastes even better when marinated in the fridge overnight. We also like to use this versatile mixture when grilling chicken! —Dan Strumberger, Farmington, Minnesota
The Best Ever PancakesI'm not joking when I say I make pancakes every weekend. I love them in any form and variation. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
Beer-Cheese Velvet SoupThis soup was a hit with a group of German exchange teachers who visited our high school. When I don't use bread bowls, I usually serve it with soft pretzels or crusty bread. And it's also an even bigger treat with slices of cooked bratwurst or kielbasa stirred into it. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah
Cherry Fruit SmoothiesYou need just four ingredients to blend together these super-fast smoothies for breakfast. Try whipping them up on a hot summer day for a cool and refreshing treat. —Macy Plummer, Avon, Indiana
Greens and Beans Turkey SoupOn winter evenings, we like nothing better than a piping hot bowl of soup. This one uses the turkey carcass to make a flavorful stock for the soup. —Susan Albert, Jonesburg, Missouri
Cod and Asparagus BakeThe lemon pulls this flavorful and healthy dish together. You can use grated Parmesan cheese instead of Romano if you'd like. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
Red Pepper SoupWhile I don't have scientific proof of it, Red Pepper Soup works for me as a head cold remedy! It is a good gift to take when visiting a sick friend, too. For a pretty touch, top the soup with grated cheese and parsley. We enjoy it with jalapeno cheese buns. You can also serve it with warm garlic bread. —Barb Nelson, Victoria, British Columbia
Dark Chocolate PuddingLife is too short to pass on dessert. This old-fashioned treat is so creamy and comforting! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Thomas Jefferson's Vanilla Ice CreamThe third U.S. president is credited with jotting down the first American recipe for this treat. No vanilla bean on hand? Substitute 1 tablespoon vanilla extract for the vanilla bean. Just stir the extract into the cream mixture after the ice-water bath. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Old-Fashioned ApplesauceWe had all kinds of apple trees in the yard when I was growing up, so I don't know for sure which ones Mother liked best for applesauce. (Today I use Cortlands.) I do know that her applesauce was very white. The secret, she said, was to keep the apples in salt water while she peeled them so that they wouldn't darken. —Doris Natvig, Jesup, Iowa
Creamy Cauliflower Pakora SoupMy husband and I often crave pakoras, deep-fried fritters from India. I wanted to get the same flavors but use a healthier cooking technique, so I made soup using all the classic spices and our favorite veggie, cauliflower! —Melody Johnson, DePere, Wisconsin
Tomato-Orange SoupWho knew orange and tomato were such a good pair? Whenever I serve this, I keep the recipe handy for requests. —Barbara Wood, St. John’s, Newfoundland
Originally Published: May 31, 2019
