Introduction
This resource will help you choose foods that are soft, moist and easy to chew. These eating guidelines may be helpful if you have undergone head, neck or mouth surgery, or have had recent dental work.
Steps You Can Take
- Choose soft moist foods. Chop, finely mince, grind, mash or puree foods to a texture you can easily chew.
- Soften bread products or crackers in soup, milk or tea; or spread with non-hydrogenated margarine, syrup or honey.
- Use milk, cream, or broth to mash vegetables like potatoes, yams, squash or carrots.
- Blend banana, melon, or frozen fruit into milkshakes or smoothies.
- Use gravy, broth or sauce to moisten meat, poultry or fish.
- Use cheese sauce to moisten vegetables, noodles or rice.
- Top foods with butter, margarine, oils, salad dressings or sour cream to moisten foods and enhance flavours.
- For overall health, eat balanced meals each day. Choose foods from all 4 of the food groups in "Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide" www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-food-guides.html. Aim to include at least 3 of the 4 food groups at each meal.
The table below will help you choose foods from each food group that are soft and easy to chew.
| Food Group | Choose | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
|
Vegetables and Fruit 7-10 servings per day 1 serving =
|
Canned or well cooked vegetables or fruit Mashed or pureed fruit or vegetable, such as applesauce, mashed potatoes Soft, well ripe fruit or vegetable, such as banana, peach, avocado Fruit or vegetable juice |
Fresh grapefruit and oranges Cherries Grapes Pineapple Pan-fried potatoes, potato skins, French fries Any fried or crispy vegetables Dried fruit or vegetables unless cooked until soft |
|
Grain Products 6-8 servings per day 1 serving =
|
Soft breads, pancakes, muffins and baked goods Oatmeal or cream of wheat Cold cereal that becomes soft with milk Soft cooked noodles, pasta, rice, or quinoa Crackers softened in soup or milk |
Breads or buns with tough crusts Baked goods and cereals made with dried fruits, nuts or seeds Cereals that stay crunchy in milk Crisp crackers or biscuits |
|
Milk and Alternatives 2-3 servings per day 1 serving =
|
Milk, chocolate milk or milkshakes Cottage cheese, ricotta cheese or cheese sauce Soft, grated or melted cheese Plain or flavoured yogurt, custards, puddings or ice cream |
|
|
Meat and Meat Alternatives 2-3 servings per day 1 serving =
|
Stewed or braised tender, cooked beef, pork, lamb, chicken or turkey (ground, minced or moist, thinly sliced meats) Fish without bones Casseroles made of ground meat, beans or lentils Smooth peanut butter Tofu Eggs |
Hot dogs, sausage, bacon slices Dry or tough cuts of meat Poultry with skin Crunchy peanut butter Whole nuts and seeds |
| Other Foods | Choose | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
|
Soups |
Clear broth soups Blended soups Creamed soups and chowders |
Soups with big pieces of meat or crunchy vegetables |
|
Sweets |
Plain jelly Jelly with soft fruits Honey Sugar Sugar substitutes Syrup |
Granola bars Chewy candy Crunchy cookies Caramel |
Meal Ideas
- Macaroni and cheese
- Shepherd's Pie (made with ground beef and well cooked vegetables)
- Meatloaf
- Perogies
- Lasagna/cannelloni/pasta dishes
- Omelettes
- Chili
Other Tips
- Remove skins and seeds from fruits and vegetables before cooking.
- Don't eat foods or drinks made with raw eggs, as these can cause food poisoning.
- If your appetite is small, eat more often - 5 or 6 times a day.
- If you are losing weight, talk to a registered dietitian.
Additional Resources
HealthLinkBC www.HealthLinkBC.ca Medically approved non-emergency health information and advice.
Last updated: February 2012
