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 typical such diet includes, but is not limited to, low-fat dairy products, eggs, broth, pudding, fruit juices, cream of wheat, tofu, lean meat (skinless chicken, fish,...), bland vegetables (beet, bean, spinach, carrot,...), eggs, and tea. The diet also eliminates raw or uncooked foods.

What are the guidelines for a bland diet? ›

A typical such diet includes, but is not limited to, low-fat dairy products, eggs, broth, pudding, fruit juices, cream of wheat, tofu, lean meat (skinless chicken, fish,...), bland vegetables (beet, bean, spinach, carrot,...), eggs, and tea. The diet also eliminates raw or uncooked foods.

What is the menu for a bland diet? ›

Foods you can eat on a bland diet include:
  • Milk and other dairy products, low-fat or fat-free only.
  • Cooked, canned, or frozen vegetables.
  • Potatoes.
  • Canned fruit as well as apple sauce, bananas, and melons.
  • Fruit juices and vegetable juices (some people, such as those with GERD, may want to avoid citrus and tomato)
Feb 4, 2022

What is the difference between a bland diet and a soft diet? ›

A soft food diet, also called a bland diet, is made up of foods that are easy to digest. They're usually soft in texture and low in fiber. The idea is to eat foods that are easy to swallow and that you don't need to chew much. You'll need to avoid spicy, fried, or gassy foods.

What are the three main ingredients to be avoided in the bland diet? ›

What are the foods to avoid on the bland diet?
  • spicy or highly seasoned foods, such as curry, hot sauce, hot peppers, and onions.
  • high-fat foods, such as red meat, cream, and anything fried.
  • sugary foods, such cookies, doughnuts, cake, candy, and ice cream.

Which of the following is not allowed on a bland diet? ›

Foods in a bland diet should not be tough, high fiber, high fat, spicy, or gas-producing. Such foods include: tough, fatty meats and meats with casings, such as sausages. fried foods.

What condiments can you have on a bland diet? ›

Bland Diet
FOODS ALLOWEDFOODS NOT ALLOWED
MISCELLANEOUS: Salt, sugar, onion powder, herbs, ground spices in moderation, prepared mustard, vinegar, olives, mildly seasoned gravy and saucesPepper, garlic, barbecue sauce, chili powder, curry, horseradish, pickles, popcorn.
10 more rows

What 12 foods stop diarrhea? ›

Common Questions & Answers. What are some foods that are recommended to eat when you have diarrhea? The list includes simple foods like oatmeal, bananas, plain rice, applesauce, boiled potatoes, toast, plain crackers, pretzels, and baked chicken without skin or fat.

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.

What soups can you eat on a bland diet? ›

There are several delicious soups and broths that are good for the soul (and for your bland diet). You can never go wrong with a classic chicken noodle for lunch. For a heartier choice, creamy potato soup made with Greek yogurt can really change the game!

Can you give me a list of soft foods? ›

Foods to eat
  • Cream of wheat and cream of rice.
  • Cooked white rice.
  • Mashed potatoes and boiled potatoes without skin.
  • Plain pasta and noodles.
  • Plain white crackers (such as no-salt soda crackers)
  • White bread.
  • Applesauce.
  • Cooked fruits without skins or seeds.

Can I eat a hamburger on a bland diet? ›

Foods to avoid on a bland diet

Fatty, fried foods. Cream-based foods, including ice cream and strong cheeses. Red meat and fried chicken or fish. Whole grain breads, rice, pastas, and cereals.

Can you eat salad on a bland diet? ›

Some people can tolerate lettuce and other salad greens in moderation. It's best to exclude vegetables that cause gas, such as those from the cruciferous family. These include broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts, among others.

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.

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.

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.

How long should I stay on a bland diet? ›

A bland diet can be used with other lifestyle changes to help treat ulcers, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. You only follow a bland diet for a short period of time. You may also need a bland diet for 4-6 weeks after stomach or gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.

Can you 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. Avoid citrus fruits and gas-forming vegetables as tolerated, fried potatoes, hash brown potatoes.

What are the four bland foods? ›

Bland Foods: Just What Are They?
  • Milk and other dairy products, low-fat only.
  • Cooked, canned, or frozen vegetables.
  • Fruit and vegetable juices.
  • Cooked or canned fruit with the skin and seeds removed, such as applesauce or canned peaches.
  • Breads, crackers and pasta made with refined white flour.

References

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