Puréed Phase

After two weeks of liquids, you will gradually transition to puréed foods. Try a recipe from this section on your first day of puréed foods. If you do well with that recipe, try another one. Progress at a pace that you are comfortable with. There is no rush! You will follow the puréed diet for 2 weeks. Continue to use protein supplement drinks to help your protein goal.

What to expect during this phase

• You will be able to eat ¼ cup to ½ cup of puréed food: Smoother foods such as yogurt will be easier to eat than foods with more texture, such as tuna salad. You might be able to eat a whole 5.3 ounce Greek yogurt, but struggle to finish ¼ cup of tuna salad in 30 minutes.

• Protein: Make sure your puréed foods are very moist.

• How much? The amount you can eat will vary from day to day, from one type of protein to the next and from one person to the next. You can expect to eat from 1 to 2 ounces of a puréed protein such as chicken or fish, ½ to 1 cup of puréed soup or ¼ to ½ cup of refried beans.

• The total amount of a meal could fit into a ¼ to ½ cup measuring cup,

• Let your body tell you how much is enough and do not be tempted to take another bite after your body sends you full signals.

• Try one new food a day: If you are concerned about the puréed texture, stick with foods that make sense puréed such as refried beans, soups, fruit and vegetable protein smoothies or mashed canned tuna or chicken salad.

• Fruits and vegetables: During the first week, you will have to focus on your protein and the timing of your fluids and foods. When you feel more confident with those, try adding a small amount of very soft, cooked vegetables, with no thick skins or big seeds. Mash them well with a fork or blend them. It is fine to add some mild herbs or spices and a little salt and pepper. Try a couple bites of soft, mashed fresh fruits if you have met your protein goal for the day.