this Light diet This is a diet recommended in cases of digestive problems such as gastroenteritis. Does not irritate the stomach or intestines and provides the nutrients needed for recovery. but, What should you know about soft foods? What can and cannot be eaten??We explain everything you need to know, such as types of soft serve, allowed and prohibited foods, some menus and What is the right thing to do?.
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What is soft food?
A soft diet is a type of diet that is recommended for relief Problems related to the digestive systemsuch as ulcers, gastritis, diarrhea, vomiting, reflux, or surgery.
“soft food Include foods that are easy to chew Be easy to digest, use no condiments or spicy foods, avoid fats or acids, and anything else that may irritate the digestive system. Additionally, food preparation is simple: cooked, steamed or grilled“Explains the health sciences expert at the International University of Valencia.
Why eat soft food?
Soft feeding should always be given under medical supervision and only when necessary because This is not a balanced or adequate diet long. Some reasons are:
- when there is a intestinal diseasesThe purpose is to reduce the workload on the stomach and improve digestion, in addition to stopping overly frequent bowel movements.
- When there is tooth or gum problems They show so.
- When there is swallowing problems Due to inflammation of the esophagus or throat.
- in the case of Surgery, Prepare to go through it and/or after going through it.The same is true in other situations, such as when you have to accept colonoscopy, For example.
Who can eat soft food? Regardless of adults or children, as long as the doctor orders it.
What types of soft diets are there?
- astringent. It is designed to solve problems such as diarrhea and stomach pain caused by gastritis.
- Not astringent. It is designed to address chewing or swallowing problems, in this case we are talking about dysphagia, a person who has an inflamed esophagus or throat and is unable to swallow.
- specific. Used for colonoscopies, surgeries, etc.
What can I eat as soft food?
The foods that can be eaten in soft food are generally those They are soft, not too spicy and contain very little fiber. Some of the most suitable ones are:
- milk and other dairy products, only Low fat or fat free.
- cooked vegetables (Preferably carrots, pumpkin or zucchini)
- potatoes or Cook white rice.
- cooked or candied fruitsuch as apples, pears or bananas.
- Tender, lean meat, e.g. chicken, turkey or white fish, Cook, steam, bake or grill without added fat.According to a study conducted in France and published in the journal Nutrientsthese nutrients are important for Maintain lean body mass and avoid strength losses This determines health status.
- Egg Cook or serve in tortillas. For the first few days, it is recommended to consume only egg whites due to their lower fat content, and then gradually introduce whole eggs if our digestive system starts functioning properly. ” explains Mónica Acha, nutritionist, nutritionist and food technologist.
- pudding, custard or Gelatin, sugar-free.
- Tofu, fresh cheese and natural yogurt.
- Soupespecially the broth.
- Drink lots of water.
What can’t be eaten with soft food?
It is important to remember that a soft diet may vary depending on each individual’s clinical situation, but the bottom line is that Avoid foods on the “no” list, Examples include spicy, fried, legumes, raw, fatty, acidic, fermented, whole, dry, sweet or alcoholic foods.
Tips when serving soft foods
- Ask your doctor during how long You must follow this diet, usually for no more than 2 or 3 days, after which you can begin to gradually introduce a more varied diet. If you don’t feel better after these days, talk to your doctor again.
- chew Be careful with each bite, swallow as crushingly as possible and salivate thoroughly, as saliva contains enzymes that help kick-start the digestive process.
- eat A small amount To avoid filling your stomach, eat small meals often.
- take it warm food, Neither hot nor cold, because the temperature is close to that of the body, the stomach works better.
- Diet must be salt deficiency If you use any seasonings, use herbs that aid digestion, such as oregano.
- Staying well hydrated is crucial. sip water Or an infusion that promotes digestion, such as chamomile, lemon verbena or menthol, as we said before, always warm and sipped in small sips.
Next we will show you a Soft food menu example.
soft serve menu
- breakfast. Whole wheat toast, natural turkey breast slices (no starch, no preservatives…), yogurt and digestive juices.
- Mid morning. Place apples in compote or cook in microwave for 5 minutes.
- a meal. White rice, boiled or grilled white fish and grated apple.
- snack. Grated apples and digestive juices.
- dinner. Vegetable cream (carrot, pumpkin, zucchini), French omelette and yogurt.
Does a soft diet help with weight loss?
No, the soft diet is not designed for weight loss. As we have seen, it can improve digestion, help stop diarrhea, end intestinal discomfort or aid swallowing, depending on the situation, but it is not a weight loss diet.