Liquid Recipes for Post-Surgery Soft Diet

By EmilyBee via www.caloriebee.com

My jaw surgery in August 2011 was a real eye opener for me, in terms of what foods I couldn’t eat afterwards. Prior to surgery, I prepared by stocking up on soup, protein drinks, and many syringes for blending and eating food in liquid form.

I soon discovered some foods that taste delicious as well as some that are not so good. I took note of all of this to document my progress and keep track of my daily calories consumed.

I hope some of this information is now useful for others going through a similar surgery or lifestyle change that requires a liquid diet.

The first six days, I lived off of cranberry juice, apple juice, and Ensure, and lost about 10 pounds. However, the following month and a half I created some awesome meals that left me feeling much more satisfied than any protein drink would!

This article includes some recipes to try when on a liquid diet, varying from tasty soups, to main meals, to desserts. They are not ranked in any particular order, but numbered solely for the purpose of sharing some ways of getting good nutrition when needing foods in liquid form.

Breakfast

Blended Waffles

I love making breakfast from scratch, and after surgery I was so frustrated. I even made my family breakfast and sat and watched them eat the waffles I prepared.

I was so use to making the family breakfast, like I often do, that I forgot I couldn’t eat it. After watching in disappointment, I soon realized that I could eat waffles, too, but in a different form.

Next time I made waffles, I served my family theirs, and then took out the blender

1. I placed my waffle on my plate and added butter and honey to it, like I always do.
2. I then cut it up into small pieces, as if I would be eating it normally.
3. I placed the cut up waffle and toppings in the blender.
4. I added 1/2 cup of warm apple juice and a 1/2 cup of warm water.
5. Then I blended, adding more liquid as needed.

This drink turned out wonderful, and has the same taste as if you were eating whole waffles.

Carnation Instant Breakfast With Add-Ins

Both vanilla and chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfasts are not bad, but I get tired of them easily. They come in bottles and mixes. With the mixes, you have to add milk but the bottles are all ready to drink. For variety, I added some fruit.

1. Put Chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast mix in the blender.
2. Add 8 oz milk.
3. Then add 1/2 banana or three strawberries.
4. Add a donut for serious added calories, yum!

Lunch

Wonton Soup (Egg Drop)

We have reached my favorite! You didn’t think I would have missed out on Chinese food during my recovery period, did you? For the most part I did, but the soup was the main thing I was craving.

1. In the blender, I added soup, including wontons and liquid.
2. Because of the high amount of liquid and very slight amount of wonton, it blended fairly easily.
3. It was easy to drink and savor. The high salt content made it easier to drink. After a while drinking meals is not bad though at first it is rough and you want the real thing. But then you realize you can’t have it and liquid wonton soup is amazing.

This is delicious and very satisfying. However, if you need to keep your calories high you’ll have to supplement because this soup is very low in calories.

Blended Canned Soups

Progresso’s hearty soups such as Italian Meatball and Steak and Roasted Russet Potatoes were incredibly delicious meals, and very hearty.

1. Heat 1/2 cup water, and add in with the soup, into a saucepan.
2. Blend hot soup.
3. Drink.

Dinner

These meal suggestions were successful for me, starting about a week and a half after surgery. Prior to this, I sat at the dinner table, sad, frustrated and drinking an Ensure or something. But as I got more mobility back in my mouth and some new elastic bands, I could push more foods through my front teeth. This made it so I could consume liquids with slightly thicker textures. So, the following blended dinner meals may need to be tweaked depending on where you are at in recovery and/or how liquidy you need your meals to be. When in doubt, add more water, milk, juice or tomato sauce.

Mom is a great cook, and she makes a really good pork stir fry. I stared longingly at it and took in the delicious smells as she placed a plate of food in front of me like I could just eat it. I would have laughed, but it hurt to do so. Then I realized that I, too, could have this meal.

Pork Stir Fry with Spaghetti and Mixed Vegetables

1. Mom’s stir fry primarily consists of pork, celery and peppers (and other secret ingredients).
2. I added a small cup of stir fry to the blender.
3. Then I added a 1/2 cup of cooked spaghetti.
4. Added some green beans.
5. I heated up 1/2 cup of chicken broth, and 1/2 a cup of water and then added to blender.
6. I blended until proper consistency, and consumed.
7. I rushed to the bathroom to Waterpik out my teeth between each bite. In the beginning, I ate a lot of meals in the bathroom, which is a bit gross.

Pizza!

I also love pizza, very, very much, and I tried plopping a slice of veggie pizza from Pizza Hut into the blender.

1. I added one slice of cut up pizza to blender.
2. I heated up one can of tomato sauce and added it to blender.
3. Blend until perfect consistency.

For pizza night, I could only consume one slice because that one slice ended up being 2 glasses of liquid. The can of tomato sauce, or liquid in general, makes it difficult to consume lots of pizza or large quantities of food.

But this is okay because small meals are important. You don’t want to bloat, because, well, that will cause other problems not mentioned in this!

Tacos

Besides breakfast, I am also a taco girl, as they are my favorite dinner item. So on family taco night I blended all the ingredients for myself. The end result is delicious, and tasted just like a regular taco. The only downside is that you can’t eat as many tacos as you normally would. Liquids fill up your tummy very fast.

1. I added sautéed, taco seasoned beef, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and cheese to blender.
2. I added a slice of a garlic baguette to blender.
3. I added 1/2 cup of warmed apple juice and water to blender.
4. I added a heaping tablespoon of minced garlic and olive oil. The spices enhance the flavors wonderfully, making it very, very tasty.
5. Blended until smooth, adding more liquid as needed.

Dessert

Smoothies

These are not too fattening but they are a nice change of pace. You can be creative and throw anything into the blender that looks appealing.

1. I added yogurt to blender.
2. I added various fruit: 1/2 a banana, some blueberries, strawberries, melon, or kiwi.
3. Blend.

Graham Cracker Frosty

1. I added one Vanilla Ensure to blender.
2. I added 3-4 graham crackers to blender.
3. I added a good heaping scoop of peanut butter.
4. Add ice to blender.
5. Blend until smooth.

 
So, if you or someone you know, has, is, or will be undergoing a surgery requiring them to implement a liquid diet, or if you have other reasons to pursue a liquid diet, have no fear.

It is really not all that bad, and there are tons of meals you can create just by looking in your fridge or cabinets. Be creative, and make small portions because not everything you create is going to taste super!

It can be frustrating, especially when you make an unpleasant meal for yourself, when all you want is a big juicy cheeseburger. On days like that, relax, have an Ensure, and try again tomorrow. Best of luck!

*This article has been modified to adjust length. To see even more awesome recipes from EmilyBee, please check out the original article post!