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Modified Diet: Palate Soft Diet HF#246

 

The purpose of the palate soft diet is to prevent injury to the fragile tissues in the mouth and throat after having a surgery to that area.

 

What is the safest way to feed my child?

  • Place your child in a sitting position for feeding.
  • Give fluids and foods from a cup or use the side of a spoon.
  • Infants may use the nipple they were using before surgery.  
    • Do not change nipples at this time.  
    • Do not use a pacifier.
  • Do not use straws or foods served on a stick

How should I care provide mouth care to my child?

  • Use water to rinse mouth of leftover food.
  • Clean teeth on the outside of the gums with moistened gauze.  Do not use a toothbrush or sponge applicator.

Preparation Tips

  • You can use a food processor or blender to turn table foods into food that is smooth and easy to swallow.  Prepared baby food is a good example of the consistency you will want to achieve.  You will find that chicken or beef broth works well to blend with meats and vegetables. Fruit juice works best when blending fruit.

 

 

Foods Allowed

Foods to Avoid

 

 

Milk 
  1. Infant formula
  2. All milk and milk drinks
  3. Milk-based soups
  4. Pudding and custard
  5. Ice cream and sherbet
  6. Yogurt without seeds or nuts
  7. Rice or soy milks

 
  1. Milk products with nuts or seeds
  2. Ice cream with candies or chips
  3. Yogurt with granola or pieces of whole fruit

 

Meat and Meat Substitutes
  1. Soft cooked meats processed to baby food consistency
  2. Baby food meats: beef, chicken, veal, pork
  3. Cream soups
  4. Soft-cooked eggs
  5. Creamed cottage cheese
  6. Blended, cooked legumes such as lentils or black beans (baby food consistency)

 
  1. Whole pieces of meat, fish, poultry
  2. Cold cuts, sausage, hot dogs
  3. Hard-cooked eggs
  4. Peanut butter

 

Vegetables and Fruits 
  1. Fruit or vegetable juice
  2. Baby food fruits or vegetables
  3. Vegetables blended with broth
  4. Fruits blended with fruit juice
  5. Tomato soup
  6. Mashed, canned fruit without skins or seeds

 
  1. Fresh fruit or canned fruits with skins or seeds
  2. Fresh or canned, non-blended vegetables
  3. Thick or gummy mashed vegetables
  4. Pickles, coleslaw, leafy lettuce
  5. Fried or crisp-cooked vegetables

 

 

Breads and Cereals 
  1. Any cooked cereal that has been thinned with milk or water.
  2. Soft-cooked macaroni & noodles
  3. Soft-cooked rice
  1. Breads, toast, buns, bagels
  2. Dry cereal, muffins, sweet rolls
  3. French toast, pancakes
  4. Crackers, cookies, popcorn
  5. Pretzels, chips

 
Fats 
  1. Butter, oils, dressings
  1. None

 
Miscellaneous 
  1. Gelatin desserts
  1. Gum, caramels, lollipops
  2. Hard candy, jellybeans, sticky candy
  3. Honey, syrup, molasses
  4. Carbonated beverages

 
Seasonings 
  1. Sugar, salt
  1. Other spices (pepper, chili powder-avoid spicy foods)

 

 

If you have further questions please contact UW Health at one of the following locations:

 

Nutrition Clinic - Room L33

University Station

2880 University Avenue

Madison, WI  53705

(608) 263-5012

Nutrition Clinic - Room 1296

UW Health West Clinic

451 Junction Road

Madison, WI  53717

(608) 265-7526

Nutrition Clinic -  Room 2085

UW Health East Clinic

5249 East Terrace Drive

Madison, WI  53718

(608) 265-0963

 

 



The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 07/17/2012

Copyright © 06/16/2010 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#246

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