Easy to swallow foods

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Protein foods	Meat and fish Stewed, braised, or ground meat and poultry Fish fillets, canned fish Casseroles (e.g. creamed chicken, tuna casserole, shepherd’s pie) Blenderized or minced meats, pâté Dairy (lactose-free if needed) Milk, milkshakes, smoothies with protein Cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, grated cheese (add to veggies, omelets, casseroles) Sour cream Yogurt (choose Greek or Icelandic for more protein), yogurt drinks, kefir Cream soups Eggs Scrambled or poached eggs Quiche, soufflés, omelets Egg salad Plant-based Soy milk Tofu Smooth nut butter Hummus, bean dip, baked or refried beans Mashed lentils, beans, or peas (mix with tahini or mayonnaise) Split pea, lentil, or bean soup
Grains	Hot cereal (oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, oat bran, corn meal, rice cereal, grits, congee) Pierogi Buttered rice or noodles Soft pasta dishes (e.g. macaroni and cheese) Soft bread dipped in oil Soups thickened with barley, noodles, or rice Pancakes, french toast, or waffles with syrup
Vegetables	Well-cooked, soft vegetables like squash, cauliflower, green and yellow beans, peas, turnip, beets, yams, zucchini, carrots Creamed spinach or corn Mashed, whipped, or scalloped potatoes Grated or shredded vegetables Vegetables added to smoothies
Fruit	Avocado, banana, berries, melon, papaya, mango, soft pear Applesauce, baked apples, stewed fruit (e.g. plums, apricots, pears) Canned peaches or pears Fruit added to smoothies Low-acid juices like apple, grape, and white cranberry juice
Desserts	Cheesecake, cream pie, custard, mousse Pudding, Jell-O Ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet Cookies dipped in milk or coffee
Others (great for adding extra calories)	Gravy, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, oil Tahini Cream and cheese sauces Cream cheese Table cream, whipping cream Honey, jam, syrup Specialty coffee drinks (e.g. Frappuccino) Nutrition supplement drinks

Meal ideas

Oatmeal made with whole 3.25% milk topped with peanut butter and berries
Congee made with tofu, eggs, or meat
Pierogi with sour cream and green beans
Tuna salad on soft bread with a side of applesauce
Macaroni and cheese with peas and tuna
Well-cooked cauliflower dipped in hummus, with a side of sliced avocado
Tender beef stew with potatoes and carrots
Creamed salmon with mashed potatoes, beets, and creamed spinach
Split pea soup with soft bread dipped in oil
Cream of broccoli soup served over rice
Shepherd’s pie with a side of zucchini
Scrambled tofu with baked beans and avocado
Omelet served with mashed sweet potatoes
Homemade smoothie with berries, spinach, Greek yogurt, and whole 3.25% milk

Helpful hints

To make foods even softer:
- Cook meats, fish, chicken, and vegetables in sauces, stews, or soups until tender
- Eat foods with gravies and sauces or drink fluids with your meals to help wash foods down
- Dunk cookies and crackers in tea, coffee, or milk and dip bread in oil or cheese sauce
- Use a blender to make smooth soups and smoothies

To add extra calories and protein:
- Use high-fat dairy products like whole 3.25% milk, cream, and full-fat yogurt in recipes
- Include a food from the “protein foods” section at every meal
- Add skim milk powder, unflavoured protein powder, or shredded cheese to soups or veggies
- Beat an egg into hot cereal or soup while it is cooking
- Blend healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and nut butters into smoothies

Avoid foods that can make eating more painful:
- Rough foods like raw vegetables, hard fruits, toast, crackers, nuts, popcorn, and chips
- Acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits (e.g. lemons, oranges), pickles, and vinegar
- Spicy foods like pepper, chili, hot sauce, and barbecue sauce
- Fried, crispy foods like samosas and chicken wings
- Tough, dry meats
- Carbonated beverages (e.g. pop, soda water) and alcohol
- Very hot or cold foods – these can be painful if your skin is sensitive

If swallowing soft foods becomes too painful, you may need a liquid diet. Ask your dietitian about high-calorie and high-protein fluids. Nutrition supplement drinks may help.