Discharge Instructions: Eating a Soft Diet
You have been prescribed a soft diet (also called gastrointestinal soft diet or bland diet). This reduces the amount of work your digestive tract has to do. It also reduces the chance that your digestive tract will be irritated by the food you eat. A soft diet is prescribed for people with digestive problems. The diet consists of foods that are tender, mildly seasoned, and easy to digest. While on this diet, you should not eat fried or spicy foods, or raw fruits and vegetables. Also don't drink alcoholic beverages.
General guidelines
Eat in a calm, relaxed atmosphere. How you eat may be as important as what you eat. Don’t rush while eating. Chew your food slowly and thoroughly, and swallow slowly.
Eat small frequent meals throughout the day, but don’t eat within 2 hours of bedtime.
Don't eat any foods that cause discomfort.
Don’t use NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as aspirin, and ibuprofen. Also avoid medicine that contain aspirin. NSAIDs can cause ulcers and delay or prevent ulcer healing.
Use antacids as needed, but keep in mind that magnesium-containing antacids may cause diarrhea.
Foods to eat
Cream of wheat and cream of rice
Cooked white rice
Mashed potatoes, and boiled potatoes without skin
Plain pasta and noodles
Plain white crackers (such as no-salt soda crackers)
White bread
Applesauce
Cooked fruits without skins or seeds
Mild juices, such as apple and grape
Bananas
Cooked or mashed vegetables without stems and seeds
Carrots
Summer squash (zucchini, yellow squash)
Winter squash (acorn, butternut, spaghetti squash)
Cottage cheese
Mild hard or soft cheeses
Custard
Yogurt without seeds or nuts
Milk (you may need lactose-free milk)
Ice cream without seeds or nuts
Smooth peanut butter
Eggs
Fish, turkey, chicken, or other meat that is not tough or stringy
Tofu
Foods to avoid
Nuts and seeds
Snack foods, such as the following:
Chocolate-containing snacks, candy, pastries, or cakes.
Potato chips (plain, barbecued, or other flavors)
Taco chips or nachos
Corn chips
Popcorn, popcorn cakes, or rice cakes
Crackers with nuts, seeds, or spicy seasonings
French fries
Fried or greasy foods
Whole-grain breads, rolls, and crackers
Breads and rolls with nuts, seeds, or bran
Bran and granola cereals
Berries with seeds, such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries
Acidic fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, and pineapples
Raw vegetables
Mild or hot peppers
Sauerkraut and pickled vegetables
Tomatoes or tomato products, such as tomato paste, tomato sauce, and tomato juice
Barbecue sauce
Spicy or flavored cheeses, such as jalapeño and black pepper cheese
Crunchy peanut butter
Dried cooked beans, such as pinto, kidney, or navy beans
The following meats:
Fried or greasy meats
Processed, spicy meats, such as sausage, bacon, ham, and lunch meats
Ribs and other meats with barbecue sauce
Tough or stringy meats, such as corned beef or beef jerky
Fluids to avoid
Alcoholic beverages
Coffee and regular teas
Colas and other drinks with caffeine
Cranberry, orange, pineapple, and grapefruit juice
Lemonade
Vegetable juice
Whole milk, if you are lactose intolerant
Follow-up
Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.