Discharge Instructions- Eating a Soft, Bland Diet (2024)

You have been prescribed a soft, 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, bland diet is prescribed for people with digestive problems. This is different from a soft diet that is prescribed for people with issues chewing and swallowing. The diet you have been prescribed consists of foods that are tender, mildly seasoned, and easy to digest. While on this diet, don't eat fried or spicy foods,or raw fruits and vegetables. Also don't drink alcohol.

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 meals often throughout the day. But don’t eat 3 hours before lying down.

  • Think about raising the head of your bed 6 or 9 inches. Wedge pillows let you sleep on an incline and may be helpful.
  • Don't eat any foods that cause discomfort.

  • Don’t use NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Also don't take 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.

  • Don't smoke.

Foods to eat

Foods to stay away from

  • 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

Drinks to stay away from

  • Alcohol

  • 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

  • Peppermint

Follow-up

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.

Discharge Instructions- Eating a Soft, Bland Diet (2024)

FAQs

Discharge Instructions- Eating a Soft, Bland Diet? ›

A bland diet includes foods that are soft, not very spicy, and low in fiber. If you are on a bland diet, you should not eat spicy, fried, or raw foods. You should not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them. Your health care provider will tell you when you can start eating other foods again.

What is soft diet and bland diet? ›

A bland diet includes foods that are soft, not very spicy, and low in fiber. If you are on a bland diet, you should not eat spicy, fried, or raw foods. You should not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them. Your health care provider will tell you when you can start eating other foods again.

What is bland diet answer? ›

The bland diet comprises of easily digestible foods that are soft-consistency, low-fiber, cooked, gentle to the gastrointestinal tract and usually non-spicy.

What foods are considered on a soft diet? ›

A large number of foods qualify as soft foods: Mush or porridge-type hot cereals like oatmeal, grits and Cream-of-Wheat. Cereals that soften easily in milk like Rice Krispies and Corn Flakes. Soft breads and muffins.

What soft bland foods are easy to digest? ›

Some people have health conditions that make many foods hard to digest. Foods that are easier to digest include toast, white rice, bananas, eggs, chicken, salmon, gelatine, applesauce, and oatmeal. Symptoms of digestive problems include acid reflux, bloating, or abdominal pain.

What foods are best for a bland diet? ›

Most foods allowed on a bland diet are starchy, soft, and low in fiber and fat.
  • Lean meats and proteins. ...
  • Dairy products. ...
  • Fruits and fruit juices. Fruits contain fiber and acid, so it's best to limit the amount you eat and avoid eating raw fruit. ...
  • Bland vegetables. ...
  • Breads, grains, and cereals. ...
  • Fats. ...
  • Caffeine and alcohol.
Oct 14, 2022

What are the 4 bland foods? ›

The bland diet is sometimes called the BRAT or BRATT diet. BRAT is an acronym that stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. If you're following a bland diet, you can incorporate these four foods into your meals, but there are many other options to choose from.

Can you eat a hamburger on a soft diet? ›

As long as the foods you eat are cooked, shredded, blended, chopped, or ground you're usually good to go. Here are some examples of foods you can eat while on a mechanical soft diet: All dairy products except non-shredded hard cheeses. Ground meats.

What soft foods can I eat for breakfast? ›

Breakfasts
  • porridge or other soft cereal.
  • mashed or stewed fruit.
  • boiled, poached or scrambled eggs.
  • yoghurt or fromage frais.

What snacks are on a bland food diet? ›

Generally, these are the staple foods to eat on a bland diet:
  • yogurt and other dairy products, low fat only (if tolerated, and only in small quantities)
  • cooked, canned, or frozen vegetables.
  • fruit and vegetable juices.
  • chamomile tea.
Jun 30, 2020

Is spaghetti a soft food? ›

Which foods should I include? Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta: Breads, muffins, pancakes, or waffles moistened with syrup, jelly, margarine or butter. Moist dry or cooked cereal.

Is pizza considered soft food? ›

Peanut butter. Fried Foods Sandwiches. Pizza. Soups with easy-to-chew or easy-to-swallow meats or vegetables Soups with chunky meat or vegetables Well-cooked, moistened, boiled, baked, or mashed pota- toes.

Are scrambled eggs good for a bland diet? ›

Scrambled egg, without milk, butter, or cooking oil, is a great single protein source bland diet. However, it does contain some fat. Scrambled eggs can work for GI upsets and food allergies.

Can I eat mashed potatoes on a bland diet? ›

Fruits & Vegetables: All fruit, juices, and vegetables as tolerated; baked (without skin), boiled, mashed, diced or creamed potatoes, yams.

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