Stage 4 Soft Nutrition diet

Guidelines
• Chew, chew, chew! You cannot over-chew your food.
• Drink, drink, drink! But do not drink while eating. Wait at least 30 minutes after a meal before drinking fluids. When you do drink, sip—don't gulp or use straws. Do not drink alcohol.
• Stop eating when you feel full. If you keep eating, you may vomit. Overeating also stretches the pouch and may keep you from losing weight.
• Get enough protein. At meals, always eat protein first. Continue to use a liquid protein supplement.
• Eat several small meals every day.
• Take your vitamins every day.


Recommended Foods
High-Protein Foods
• Light (low-sugar) yogurt
• Low-fat cottage cheese
• Shredded low-fat cheese
• Tuna packed in water
• Crab, fish, scallops, and oysters (avoid fried)
• Skinless chicken or turkey, cooked until very tender and cut into small pieces
• Lean pork or beef, cooked until very tender and cut in small pieces
• Beans and lentils
• Low-fat deli meats
Other Healthy Choices
• Cream of wheat, oatmeal, or Malt-o-Meal with added protein powder
• Cold cereal soaked in milk until soggy
• Cooked tender vegetables without peels or seeds
• Ripe banana; fruit canned in its own juice or water (not canned in syrup)
• Low-fat soups with added protein powder or strained meat


Foods Not Recommended
"Sticky" Foods
• Soft bread (it can make a dough ball that could plug up the pouch outlet)
• Sticky or sweet rice
• Spaghetti and other pasta
• Macaroni and cheese
• High-fat cheese, melted cheese
• Raisins, prunes, and other dried fruits (these are too sweet)
Crunchy Foods
• Granola and other cereals with nuts
• Raw vegetables, salad
• Nuts and popcorn
• Chips
Tough Foods
• Tough or chewy meat
• Whole pieces of corn or whole peas (puree these foods before eating them)
High-Fat Foods
• Butter, margarine, and oil
• Regular mayonnaise, sour cream, cream cheese, salad dressing
• Whole milk and half-and-half
• Ice cream, cakes, cookies, pies, and other desserts
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Luncheon meats
• Gravy
Foods with Seeds, Peels, or Husks
• Strawberries and other berries
• Corn (unless pureed)
• Peas (unless pureed)


Sample 1-Day Menu
Take 15 minutes to eat each meal. Do not drink fluids at meals or for 30 minutes after the meal.
7:00 am 1 egg, poached or scrambled without added fat ½ cup oatmeal with 1 scoop protein powder,1 chewable multivitamin tablet
8:00 am 1 cup skim milk—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
9:00 am 1 cup decaffeinated coffee—sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
10:00 am 1 cup liquid protein supplement—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes).
11:00 am 1 cup sugar-free lemonade—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
12:00 Noon 2 to 3 tablespoons strained beef, 2 tablespoons mashed potatoes, 2 tablespoons pureed green beans,
1 chewable calcium tablet
1:00 pm 1 cup water—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
2:00 pm 1 cup decaffeinated tea with sugar substitute—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
3:00 pm 1 cup liquid protein supplement—sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
5:00 pm 2 to 3 tablespoons strained turkey, 2 tablespoons mashed potato, 2 tablespoons pureed carrots,
1 chewable multivitamin tablet
6:00 pm ½ cup sugar-free instant pudding, made with 1 scoop protein powder
7:00 pm 1 cup liquid protein supplement—sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
8:00 pm 1 cup water—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
9:00 pm ¼ cup low-fat cottage cheese, ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon
1 chewable calcium tablet
10:00 pm 1 cup water—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)