Pureed Diet

Becky Handley
 What is the Pureed
Diet?
Diet is made up of foods that require no
chewing
I.e., mashed potatoes, pudding, broth

Foods may be blended or strained for proper

consistency
Liquids, such as broth, juice, or water, may be
added to foods to obtain proper consistency
 Who Should Utilize the
Pureed Diet?
Designed for patients who have moderate to
severe dysphagia, or poor oral abilities and
inability to protect airway
Dysphagia may be caused due to conditions
such as:
Difficulty chewing, masticating or swallowing
Neurological disorder hindering abilities of
mouth
Difficulty moving mouth or lips due to loss of
feeling
Physical complications such as mouth or jaw
surgery
 What Foods Are/Arent
Allowed?
Diet consists of pureed, homogenous, cohesive
foods i.e. pudding-like textures
Foods should be easily swallowed
Should not require bolus formation, controlled
manipulation, or mastication

Avoids use of whole foods, coarse textures, or

small bits that may require chewing and hinder
swallowing
Diet should include variety of
macro/micronutrients
 What Foods Are/Arent
Allowed? Cont.
Allowed Types Limitations
Beverages -if thin beverages are permitted: no lumps, chunks, seeds,
etc.
Breads/Cereals -no whole, crumby breads/cereals
-should be commercial mixes for breads that can be mixed
with liquid to form smooth consistency
Desserts -no whole desserts, ice/frozen items, gelatins
Fats -no coarse additives
Fruits/Vegetables -no whole, chunks, seeds, etc.
Meat/Meat Alt. -no whole, must be fully pureed
Starches -no grains, noodles
-only fully pureed, smooth ingredients
-only dissolvable, smooth additives
Soups -blended or strained, no lumps
Miscellaneous -must be dissolvable like sugar, honey, etc.
-no coarse seasonings, no sticky/chewy foods
Water/Supplements -8 glasses or more water a day, supplements may be required
 How Long?

Should be followed as long as the patient is

having difficulty chewing or swallowing
May be long term if linked to chronic
progressive neurological disorders
Condition may required a more advanced
modified consistency diet
 What Should the Patient
Expect?
Appetite might change due to mood, trauma, physical condition, etc.

Plan meals ahead of time

Account for eating environment (e.g., work, school, home, friends

house)
Aim for frequent, variety filled meals

If difficulty eating, patient may need assistance

Patient may not get enough nutrients with this diet, supplements may
be required
May need to buy equipment to help prepare meals (e.g., blender,
grinder, food processor)
Important to maintain oral hygiene
 Works Cited

Eating Guide for Pured and Mechanical Soft Diets. Eating Guide
for Pured and Mechanical Soft Diets. Available at:
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-
education/eating-guide-pureed-and-mechanical-soft-diets.
Accessed February 28, 2016.

Mahan LK, Escott-Stump S, Raymond JL, Krause MV. Krause's

Food &Amp; the Nutrition Care Process. St. Louis, MO:
Elsevier/Saunders; 2012.