WHAT IS A SOFT & BITE-SIZED DIET?
- Residents on a soft bite-sized diet will receive menu items that are moist and naturally soft, or that require minimal cutting.
- When a fork is pressed down on the food with enough force to turn the thumbnail noticeably white, the fork prongs go completely through the food to the plate.
- Soft menu items are easily broken into bite-sized pieces (1.5cms x 1.5cms). This size is approximately the size of the back of a fork or the adult human thumbnail.
- Items to be avoided are hard, crispy, tough, dry, and stringy items.
WHY AM I ON A SOFT & BITE-SIZED DIET?
- Residents may receive a soft diet for a number of reasons:
- Recommended by the Speech Pathologist, who has done an assessment of your swallow and seen evidence of dysphagia (swallowing difficulties).
- Assistance with swallowing safely and preventing food entering your lungs and causing an infection (aspiration pneumonia).
- Requested by you or your next of kin. This may be due to issues with dentition, generally finding food difficult to chew, or just your preference.
Suitability and non-suitability of menu items is based on the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) Standards.
* These items are not suitable for residents who also require thickened fluids in conjunction with a soft diet.