The soft diet is the main recommendation that the doctor usually makes us in case of gastroenteritis. But it is not the only one, since there is not only one soft diet, although we always relate it to the diet that helps cut diarrhea. We tell you what types of existing soft diet, what are the foods of the soft diet and how to follow it.
WHAT IS THE SOFT DIET
In this case, the "soft" diet is not literal, it can include "hard" foods. When this diet is recommended to help in cases of digestive problems, for example, due to gastric viruses, the correct term would be "gastric protection diet", since it is not a question of making a diet with "soft" foods, but these are easily digestible. But sometimes, the soft diet is a liquid diet, because it has to do with chewing problems, for example.
WHY DO A BEAUTIFUL DIET
The only reason to do it is that the doctor recommends it.
- The most common is when there is an intestinal disease such as gastroenteritis that causes disorders such as diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. The goal is to give your stomach little work and also to stop stools that are too frequent.
- It can also be followed when there are problems in teeth or gums that indicate it. Or when there are problems swallowing due to inflammation of the esophagus or throat.
- Breastplate may also be necessary in case of a surgical operation, to prepare to undergo it and / or after having suffered it. Also in other cases, such as when you have to undergo a colonoscopy for example.
Who can do a bland diet? Both adults and children, as long as it is indicated by the doctor.
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TYPES OF SOFT DIETS
- Astringent. It seeks to stop problems such as diarrhea, stomach pain from gastritis, etc.
- Not astringent. It seeks to solve chewing or swallowing problems, in this case, we are talking about a diet for dysphagia, that is, for people who have an inflamed esophagus or throat and cannot swallow.
- Specific. For colonoscopy, for a surgical operation, etc.
ASTRINGENT SOFT DIET FOODS
The foods allowed in the soft diet are the following:
- Boiled white rice
- Boiled wheat semolina
- Boiled or steamed potatoes
- Bread, better if it is toasted
- Cooked vegetables (preferably carrot, pumpkin or zucchini).
- Omelette
- Boiled, grilled or baked chicken and fish. (Whenever you opt for meats, let them be the leanest parts of them)
- Grated apple and somewhat darkened
- Apple compote, pear …
- Jelly
NON-ASTRINGENT SOFT DIET FOODS
- Vegetable, chicken, fish broths (unseasoned except with a little salt)
- Very digestive vegetable creams such as carrots, pumpkin, zucchini and avoid other more acidic ones such as tomatoes, peppers, etc. They should be low in salt, without spicy. Just boil the vegetables and mash
- Vegetable puree with legumes, chicken, fish … Very crushed and rinsed with broth for a slightly thick texture, so that they are very easy to swallow
- Apple compote, pear …
- Yogurt
Why is it recommended to eat toast in the soft diet? Toasted bread is usually recommended in the astringent soft diet because toasting also makes it more digestible.
Why is it better to grate the apple and let it darken? The oxidation (blackening) of its pulp causes tannins to appear, compounds that enhance its astringent action, that is, to help stop diarrhea.
FOODS PROHIBITED IN ANY BEAUTIFUL DIET
- Those that are difficult to digest such as nuts, fried, pastries, precooked …
- Flatulent foods such as cabbages, legumes, etc.
- Acids like tomato, citrus, etc.
- Exciting like coffee, soft drinks, tea, etc.
- Spicy
- Sweets
RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN DOING A BEAUTIFUL DIET
- Ask your doctor how long to follow this diet, which is usually not more than 2 or 3 days, after which a more varied diet can begin to be introduced little by little. If after the first 2 or 3 days you do not feel improvement, consult your doctor again.
- Chew each bite thoroughly to swallow it as crushed as possible and well salted. Think that saliva contains enzymes that already start the digestion process.
- Eat small amounts to avoid filling your stomach and eat more frequent meals.
- Take food warm, neither hot, nor cold, because with a temperature closer to that of the body, the stomach works better.
- The diet should be low in salt and if you use any seasonings, they should be herbs that help digestion, such as oregano.
- Good hydration is essential, drinking water in small sips or infusions that promote digestion, such as chamomile, lemon verbena or pennyroyal and, as we said before, always warm and in small sips.
AN EXAMPLE OF ASTRINGENT SOFT DIET MENU
- Breakfast. Toast of white bread, slice of artisan turkey breast (without starches, preservatives …), yogurt and digestive infusion.
- Midmorning. Apple in compote or cooked for 5 min in the microwave.
- Food. White rice, boiled or grilled white fish and grated apple.
- Snack. Grated apple and digestive infusion.
- Dinner. Vegetable cream (carrot, pumpkin, zucchini) and French omelette, yogurt.
AN EXAMPLE OF A NON-ASTRINGENT AND EASY TO SWALLOW BEAUTIFUL DIET MENU
- Breakfast. Rice or other cereal cooked in milk and crushed (with enough milk to make it very liquid. Infusion.
- Mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Apple compote or unsweetened homemade fruit smoothie. Infusion.
- Food and dinner. Light vegetable cream with shredded chicken or fish inside. Liquid yogurt or kefir.
- For the whole day. Vegetable or chicken broth.
HOW WOULD THE BEAUTIFUL DIET BE IF YOU ARE A VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN
The only thing that changes is that neither meat nor fish would be taken. These foods can be substituted for cooked and mashed legumes or tofu. In this case, the tofu should be white, not smoked, not spicy or spicy.
If the diet is lactoovovegetarian, you can have milk, yogurts and eggs. If not, you can substitute cow's milk and yogurts for their vegetable versions (soy milk and yogurt, almonds, etc.).
IS A BEAUTIFUL DIET USED TO LOSE WEIGHT?
No, the soft diet is not designed to lose weight. As we have seen, it facilitates digestion, helps cut diarrhea, eliminates intestinal discomfort or helps swallowing depending on the case, but it is not a weight loss diet.
