Updated: Jun. 03, 2024
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:
Smoothies and shakes
Yogurt, pudding and ice cream
Avocado
Smooth soups, or those with very soft chunks
Mashed potatoes, or a soft baked potato without the skin
Cooked fruits, like applesauce
Ripe fruits, like bananas or peaches without the skin
Peeled veggies, cooked until soft
Oatmeal and other hot cereals
Pasta, cooked until very soft
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:
Tender meats, like pot roast, shredded chicken or pulled pork (Gravy is your friend on a soft diet!)
Yogurt or kefir
Nut butters, like peanut, almond or cashew
Smoothies made with protein powder, yogurt, kefir or nut butters
Soft scrambled eggs and egg salad
Tuna and shredded chicken salad
Flaky fish, like salmon
Cottage cheese and other soft cheeses, like fresh mozzarella
Refried beans, soft-cooked beans and bean soup
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
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Old-Fashioned Chocolate PuddingOne of the nice things about this easy pudding is you don't have to stand and stir it. It's a must for us at Christmas—at Thanksgiving and Easter, too! I also make it into a pie with graham cracker crust that our grandchildren love. —Amber Sampson, Somonauk, IllinoisGet Recipe
Cold-Day Chicken Noodle SoupWhen I was sick, my mom would make me this heartwarming chicken noodle soup. It was soothing when I had a cold, but this soup is a bowlful of comfort on any chilly day. —Anthony Graham, Ottawa, lllinois
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Peach SmoothieWhip up this creamy peach smoothie as a refreshing and nutritious snack or a quick chilled breakfast. Because you can use frozen fruit, you don't have to wait until peaches are in season to enjoy this delicious smoothie. —Martha Polasek, Markham, Texas
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Taste of Home
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
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Bananas Foster OatmealThis oatmeal tastes like bananas Foster, my favorite dessert. If you can’t find rum extract, double the vanilla. —Carol Touchton, Seffner, Florida
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Strawberry Gelato Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Strawberry GelatoYou'll love this smooth and creamy gelato with bright strawberry flavor and just a hint of sea salt and honey. Fresh raspberries or blackberries can be substituted for the strawberries if you prefer. If your berries are tart, add a touch more sugar or honey. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
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Buffet Scrambled EggsThese are my favorite scrambled eggs. The white sauce, flavored with chicken bouillon, keeps the eggs creamy and moist. It's a tasty twist on a morning mainstay.
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Rosy ApplesauceI always end up with lots of rhubarb each summer, but many of the recipes use a lot of sugar. This one lets the fruit sweeten up the rhubarb instead. I refrigerate the sauce overnight to help the flavors blend. —Amy Nelson, Weston, Wisconsin
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Buttermilk PancakesYou just can't beat a basic buttermilk pancake for a down-home country breakfast. Paired with sausage and fresh fruit, these pancakes are just like the ones you get at Cracker Barrel. —Betty Abrey, Imperial, Saskatchewan
Taste of Home
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
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Taste of Home
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
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Frozen Greek Vanilla Yogurt Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Frozen Greek Vanilla YogurtIt's so simple and easy to make your own frozen Greek yogurt, you might even want to get the kids in on the fun. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Taste of Home
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
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As a child I grew up on a farm where eggs and herbs were plentiful in summer. My mother made these eggs and I've made them for my own family. Just add toast!—Patricia Nieh, Portola Valley, California
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Taste of Home
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
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Taste of Home
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
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Grandma's Poultry Dressing Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Grandma's Poultry DressingEvery family seems to have their own favorite dressing recipe that becomes a tradition, and this is ours. It came from Grandma, who passed it down to my mother. Now our children have carried it into their kitchens. This is truly a good old-fashioned recipe. —Norma Howland, Joliet, Illinois
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Taste of Home
My 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
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Taste of Home
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
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Mashed Potatoes with Garlic-Olive OilGarlic mashed potatoes are high on our love list. To intensify the flavor, I combine garlic and olive oil in the food processor and drizzle it on top of the potatoes. — Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia
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Taste of Home
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
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TMB Studio
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
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Strawberry Milkshake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Strawberry MilkshakeCool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this strawberry shake recipe. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Taste of Home
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
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Taste of Home
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
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Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Homemade Strawberry Ice CreamThis creamy, luscious ice cream will remind you of the signature treat served at church ice cream socials. What dessert could be better? —Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin—Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin
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Taste of Home
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
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It's a cinch to jazz up instant mashed potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese, then cook and serve them from a slow cooker. For a special touch, sprinkle this creamy mashed potatoes recipe with chopped fresh chives, canned french-fried onions or fresh grated Parmesan cheese. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan
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Taste of Home
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 fa*glon, Somerset, New Jersey
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Taste of Home
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
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Taste of Home
Dark Chocolate PuddingLife is too short to pass on dessert. This old-fashioned treat is so creamy and comforting! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Thomas Jefferson's Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe photo by Taste of Home
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
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Four-Cheese Baked EggsWhen I created this dish I was thrilled that my husband enjoyed it so much. He normally prefers omelets for brunch, but devoured his first helping of these eggs, then asked for more. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
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Creamy Dill Sauce for Salmon Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Creamy Dill Sauce for SalmonThere's nothing like fresh salmon, and my mom bakes it just right so it nearly melts in your mouth. Plus, the sour cream dill sauce is subtly seasoned with horseradish so that it doesn't overpower the delicate salmon flavor. —Susan Emery, Everett, Washington
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Taste of Home
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
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Apple Pancakes with Cider SyrupTender pancakes are filled with minced apple and raisin, and drizzled with apple cider syrup. They're wonderful in the summer or on a cool fall morning. —April Harmon, Greeneville, Tennessee
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Strawberry Lime SmoothiesPeak-of-freshness strawberries make this thinner, easy drink a summer staple. —Elizabeth Johnson, Greenville, South Carolina
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Taste of Home
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
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Baked Mac and CheeseEven people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson, Dover, Delaware
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Nanny's Parmesan Mashed PotatoesMy grandsons rave over these creamy potatoes loaded with Parmesan. That’s all the endorsem*nt I need. Sometimes I use golden or red potatoes, with skins on. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
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TMB studio
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
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Pineapple-Coconut SmoothieUse fresh or frozen fruits in this coconutty recipe. It's like a pina colada, but better for you and more versatile. —Gunjan Dudani, Bellevue, Washington
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Brown Sugar-Glazed SalmonPop these protein-packed brown sugar salmon fillets in the oven before whipping up a sweet basting sauce. This tangy entree cooks up in minutes, making it a perfect meal for busy families and unexpected weekend guests. —Debra Martin, Belleville, Michigan
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Creamy Skillet Noodles with PeasI’ve made this creamy noodle side for years. Since kids and adults go for it, I keep the ingredients on hand at all times. —Anita Groff, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania
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Dill Chicken SoupI could eat soup for every meal of the day, all year long. I particularly like dill and spinach—they add a brightness to this light and healthy soup. —Robin Haas, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
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Herbed Macaroni and CheeseBesides being a really easy recipe to make, it tastes very good, too! This is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill macaroni and cheese. The herbs and spices, along with the sour cream, give the dish a wonderful flavor. Serving it with toasted pita bread and salad makes this one of our family's favorite meals, and it's been in the family for a very long time! —Nancy Raymond, Waldoboro, Maine
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Strawberry-Carrot SmoothiesMy children resist veggies, but they love this carrot smoothie. It packs in lots of good-for-you fruits and veggies—but to my kids, it's just a super delicious breakfast. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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This creamy mac ’n’ cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
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Fire-Roasted Tomato Minestrone Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Fire-Roasted Tomato MinestroneThis soup was created to accommodate a few of my dinner guests who were vegetarians. It was so good, we all enjoyed it. This can also be cooked on the stove for two hours at a low simmer. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
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