It can also be beneficial for sick and too weak people to chew regular foods or are making the transition from liquid diets to everyday foods.
The Basics of a Smooth, Mechanical
Diet
For the most part, most foods can be included in a mechanical soft diet, as long as they are cooked, chopped, mixed, ground, or shredded. This means that you will be able to get some fiber and protein in your diet.
The main rule is to avoid all foods that are difficult to chew, including hard meats, raw, and dried fruits and vegetables, bread with a thick crust, nuts, and seeds.
You can eat cooked fruits and vegetables, ground meats, cheese, and other dairy products, and softened bread and cereals. Any liquid is fine too.
Legumes are OK as long as they are adequately cooked. Anything that is chopped should be smaller than 1/4 inch. Bread and cereals can be suspended, which means softening with some liquid before eating.
Foods Allowed in
A Mechanical Soft Diet
✱ Tuna, egg,
seafood, or chicken salad (diced or cut into small pieces) with no added raw
vegetables
✱ Ice cream,
sorbet, ice cream, or frozen yogurt (no nuts, flavored chips, or other larger
pieces)
✱ Nut-free
cereals or dried fruit (serve with milk or soy milk and let soak before eating)
✱ Delicatessen
finely shaved, such as turkey or chicken (chopped into small pieces)
✱ Soft boiled
vegetables (without seeds or skins and chopped into small pieces)
✱ Clear, creamy
soups with chopped or shredded meats and vegetables
✱ White bread and
crackers (may need to be softened with liquid)
✱ Mashed potatoes
or sweet potatoes (without the skins)
✱ Jams, jellies,
and fruit preserves (best without seeds)
✱ Soft cookies
(no nuts, French fries, raisins, or candy)
✱ Apple compote or other cooked and pureed fruit
✱ Almond or another
nut butter (also smooth)
✱ Soft fruits
like bananas and ripe peaches
✱ Ground chicken,
turkey, beef, or pork
✱ Soft cheese and
cottage cheese
✱ Cream milk and
cream cheese
✱ Cooked white
rice or noodles
✱ Pudding and
custard
✱ Butter or
margarine
✱ Sauces and
gravies
✱ Peanut butter
✱ All liquids
✱ Yogurt
✱ Eggs
✱ Tofu
Sample Menu for
A Soft, Mechanical Diet
Here is an idea of foods you can eat on a soft mechanical diet. The amounts can be adjusted to match your appetite and calorie needs.
It can be not easy to have a healthy, balanced diet, so talk to a dietician or nutritionist if you need to maintain a soft mechanical diet for more than a few days.
Breakfast
- One glass of fruit juice
- One cup of cooked oatmeal with sugar or honey and milk
- One glass of water or coffee
Morning snack
- One cup of yogurt with honey
- One cup of tea
Lunch
- One cup of boiled vegetables
- 1/2 cup of tuna salad
- One piece of white bread (put on hold if necessary)
- One cup of cow's milk or soy milk
Afternoon snack
- One cup of ice cream
- One glass of water
Dinner
- One cup mashed potato
- One cup boiled disintegrated ground beef moistened with gravy
- One cup cow's milk, soy milk, or your favorite drink
Night snack
- One piece of cake with frosting
- One glass of cow's milk or soy milk
You may have additional dietary restrictions, so it is best to talk to your doctor about this diet, especially if you have any health problems or concerns about specific diets.