Soft Diet

Soft diet allows fruits and vegetables with low-cellulose content as well as fish and meat with no or very little connective tissues. This diet aims to reduce the work load of the digestive system. Proper food selection will provide both the person’s needs together with the rest of the digestive system’s needs.


This dietary management is good for Gastritis, Hepatitis, Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack).

Some Tips for a Soft Diet

• Choose fruits low in cellulose content like banana and apple.

• Choose vegetables low in cellulose content like chayote, carrots, green papaya, bottle gourd, and squash preferably without skin and seeds.

• Choose fish and meat with no tough connective tissues.

• Choose polished rice and white bread rather than whole grain cereals.

• Avoid foods that have caffeine, alcohol, and pepper.

• Avoid spicy foods like instant noodles, chips, spicy nuts, sauces, and fatty foods. They can cause discomfort and irritation.

• Observe your tolerance for eating. Since food effects vary from one person to another, master your digestive system. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole cereals, nuts, and grains may negatively affect some patients. 

Foods Allowed for Soft Diet

Carbohydrate-rich Foods

• White or Polished Rice
• White Bread
• Crackers
• Noodles
• Pastries
• Root Crops like Potato
• Oatmeal
• Dry Cereals

Protein-rich Foods

For vegetarians

• Hard/Soft Soybean Cheese
• Gluten
• Vegetarian Products
• Cooked Legumes and nuts

For non-vegetarians

• Meat and Fish without tendons and ligaments

Vegetables

• Chayote
• Carrots
• Bottle Gourd
• Squash
• Eggplants
• Radish
• Cucumber

Fruits

• All, (preferably soft) without skin or seeds 

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.141 & 143 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6