If she likes salads or veggies, I minced to bits salad parts she liked and combined it with just enough of her favorite dressing or applesauce. She could safely eat it without choking. Same for raw crudites. Those I both minced and then later shredded and used a fruit juice to help bind it for swallowing. Later, I did blend them. I just didn't put too many at a time in case she could taste her favorites. If you make it safe, she can eat anything unless barred by doctor. Applesauce, pudding, and gelatin are great binders. Have you thought about Jr. Organic baby food? Of course a small treat of her favorite ice cream slightly melted. Cooked rice, gravy, cooked chicken blended. What is important is a varied diet that is healthy and tasty as possible. Just think of what she liked and go from there. Do you own and immersion blender? Great tool for reducing your cooking and blending time. Take from the family meal what she can eat, and blend. Use organic honey for elders' sweet tooth. Buy a smaller one as it's organic. Vegetables & a bit of honey works most times. I hope I helped. I had to come up with stuff before internet.
KateyBug: Thank you for your condolences. My friend's daughter's last meal when she turned 4 (she actually lived 7 months and 4 days past that) was a blenderized hamburger with pretzels. If you think that sounded gross, it wasn't because the child was absorbing it through the picc line in her stomach.
My neighbor with Parkinson's avoids mashed potatoes because it can get stuck in her throat. Because it's very soft and can lose its shape, it's hard to force back out. I think she needs food that binds together.
To mash broccoli florets for example, only the stems can be boiled and pureed. It has a higher water content and the rest of the vegetable can be rough and uneven in texture. It sounds like your mom has a swallowing problem and uneven texture makes her nervous with the fear that parts are breaking off as they go down. You can't combine different solids for the most part unless one of them, such as wet rice, white bread without the edges, and thick noodles, is used to bind the ingredients together. So you have one dish with chicken, bread, and gravy, another with cauliflower, rice, and water, and so on. One part is the main food item, another to hold it together, and a liquid or cream to soften it.
I tried salmon puree at one time. The cream cheese makes it too sticky and difficult to move.
Yes, I think thats the issue. I did try tonight the Jello cheesecake with strawberry tub. I stirred until it was a cream texture. Mom seemed to like that. Her favorite meal is mashed potato with tomato soup. Strawberry banana yogurt. Mashed bananas are a no. I tried pureeing peaches in fruit juice she did not care for it to much. I may blend with boost tomorrow.
Dad was a Type 2 diabetic - I made Low Carb, high protein “oopsie rolls” (very soft bread substitute) topped with melted cheese (recipe is on Internet). I used an muffin-top pan to form these before baking. I used 4 ounces cream cheese and 4 eggs to make batch.
Also, creamy warm vanilla custard - whisk well one egg, 4 T heavy whipping cream, couple of Splenda packets in mug and teaspoon of vanilla or DaVinci’s type flavoring. Cook on high in microwave for 1 min, 20 seconds. Turn out into real custard cup and top with nutmeg, cinnamon, maple syrup (I used sugar-free) and top with whipped cream
Another recipe - cheesy scrambled egg - whisk together in mug 1 egg, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream. Microwave high 1 min & 20 seconds. Turn out into bowl or plate and use rubber spatula, fork or whatever to mash/mix into scrambled texture. Add pepper, chopped chives or whatever.
i also did deviled eggs - the Dash egg cooker makes easy hard boiled eggs
Dad also loved Cheesecake Factory cheesecake
Peanut Butter Mousse - stir together (with spoon) in a cup for about one minute or slightly longer - 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 2 packets splenda,, 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream. Mixture thickens as you stir. Serve in custard cup, add whipped cream if desired. Very rich dessert!
i also prepared thick cream soups and he had a daily glass or two of Metamucil for fiber (relieves constipation and puts end to diarrhea). Follow direction on packaging. Start out with small amount for first few days - see package recommendations. Must drink up fast, as it thickens and can cause choking. My dad was very cooperative on taking Metamucil. Godsend!
Pancakes with butter and syrup are pretty soft, too.
Mom loved smoothies. We would add 1/3 to 1/2 vanilla Carnation instant breakfast to boost the nutrition. She didn't like Boost or Ensure. Ingredients could include banana, plain yogurt, frozen berries, milk (or almond milk). The other thing I made for her were pureed soups. Cream of spinach soup used as a sauce for raviolis is delicious and a surprise that both parents enjoyed. Making creamed/pureed soups is made much easier with an immersible hand blender. I use an All-Clad immersion blender but a nutribullet will do the trick!
Thank you, I have been combining the boost with a carnation instant mix drink. I tried raviolis but even soft foods are pushed out. With all the great answers her drinks are getting more creative. She loves tomato soup, so so cream of chicken and mashed potatoes. She will no longer eat sweet potatoes. I have been pureeing peaches and adding a few tablespoons of pudding powder. Mom seems to like that.
Applesauce & Banana Toast & MilkMilkshakes with fruit & Protein I did Mashed Pototoes Meat and gravy slot of things just liquid fy everything my Momma would love things then she stopped eating.
Thank you, I figured eventually the food intake will drop off. I helped take care of my nanny and mother-in-law in their last days. All three experiences have been similar to a point but mostly different.
300g/400g soup 3pitted prunes (aids constipation) 2cubes of prepared and blits then frozen green veg(cook in minimal water for max nutrients and blend in the cooking water spoon into silicone icecube/babyfood trays) Nutritional shake powder as directed 1sachet of baby fruit puree 2 Tablespoons of protein (meat, beans, lentils, tofu etc)
Blend and serve as a nutrient dense sou)
A recipe I've devised over years in Dementia & Palliative Care working with Dietician guidelines 🖤🌻💪 #nfiniteheart
I believe pureed eggs is scrambled eggs, white bread, and milk or cream. I think you have to stir the eggs in with the milk in the pan first. There are online recipes.
Rotisserie chicken, white bread, and chicken gravy.
Buttered broccoli and rice. Buttered cauliflower and rice. Cod and rice. Tuna, white bread, and mayonnaise.
I use a Ninja food processor. Bread, rice, and noodles will absorb the liquid so that it's not too thin. I think you can also buy microwaveable mashed vegetables in the frozen section. The Stouffer's tuna casserole, lasagna with meat and sauce, and chicken fettucini alfredo are easy to puree with a 1/4 cup of water.
You can try substituting fiber bread for white bread to help her digestion. I didn't try that, but it would seem to be helpful.
Baked macaroni. I simmer canned tomatoes, cheese, milk, butter; add al dente cooked macaroni. Pour into lge Pyrex bowl, layer slices of cheese on top & bake @ 350° fot about 1 hr.
WhenWhen my husband of 7 years ago had a massive stroke he was eating soft foods also. One of the things that he liked, and that I also used a bullet to soften with, was the pot pies. I would first microwave then add either beef or chicken broth to it. It tasted so good, I found myself enjoying it as much as he did. Hope this helps.
My mom loves quiche. It isn't something I grew up on or had ever tried. But you can google 'all recipies easy crustless quiche". Very easy to make. 5 eggs. Muenster Cheese (must be this type of cheese- we request it from the deli section - you will need 1/2 pound, err on more rather than less), also one onion, and 10 oz of spinach. You can used frozen spinach of fresh. We use fresh.
Basically grate the cheese, scramble up the eggs - adding 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper), combine cheese and eggs.
In the meantime, cut and caramelize the onion.
Blanche the spinach. Drain and remove as much water as possible.
Then add the spinach to the onion (on the stove), mix and let any excess water.cook off.
combine everything together in a big bowl. Then pour into a (sprayed with PAM) pie plate.
Puddings. Mashed potatos (very creamy type). Ice cream. Jars of Gerber's fruits. Smoothies. Egg creams. Well-scrambled eggs. Poached eggs. Things she loved, maybe tasty meatloaf, can be pureed. Almost anything can be pureed and if it's tasty the person would probably enjoy it. Soft chocolates. There are so many foods that can be made appetizing and swallowable that it makes me cry to see what's sometimes served in long term care homes.
Thank you, I know when she was in the hospital they served the molded puree foods. She wanted nothing to do with them. I would get soup from the cafeteria then ask the nurse for nectar thickened milk and thats what she ate.
Hummus is a good option. A typical recipe has chickpeas, sesame butter, lemon juice, garlic, sea salt, and sometimes paprika or chili powder. The ingredients are put in a food processor, until it becomes soft. Olive oil is sometimes used instead of sesame butter.
It is a challenge to make things flavorful yet mushy - I've had good luck with African recipes, such as yams, mild spices, and ground peanuts for protein to make a very soft meal. Best of luck to you.
The only thing I can suggest is to puree using broths and cream, this will add nutrients and flavor.
Watering items to puree makes for a watered down nasty taste.
I was thinking oatmeal blended with nuts and raisins and cooked with milk for extra protein. Coach's brand is whole oats so has a different texture than cut oats. My dad loved it.
This is true. Different brands make all the difference in taste and texture. I am not familiar with Coach’s. Please tell us more about this brand. I personally love Bob’s Red Mill organic oatmeal. It’s creamy and delicious! The Irish oatmeal is wonderful but it is definitely a heartier texture.
You are a wonderful cook! I will try the Coach’s oats. I have never seen it. Do you order it online?
Also, cooking methods of cooking oats may effect texture. I do stovetop or microwave. I haven’t yet tried the crockpot method of cooking oats.
Here's an article from Aging Care about nutrition that has some good ideas. https://www.agingcare.com/articles/pro-tips-sneaking-calories-nutrients-into-a-seniors-diet-208396.htm There's a supplement called "benecalorie" that we use in smoothies, but it can be added to soups, mashed potatoes, etc. It's high in calories and nutrients but bland and unsweetened so blends well with either sweet or savory foods. Do a search on this webiste for "benecalorie" and you'll see numbers of posts and articles.
Everything I made for myself I pureed for my Husband. I did end up making a lot of soup because it was easier for him, and he loved my soups. Thicken soup with veggies rather than using a thickening product. And or just reduce the amount of water or other liquid in the soup. (If you do this watch the herbs, salt and pepper as they can get stronger.) But earlier on I would puree beef, adding a bit of gravy to process it easier, chicken the same. He had always loved pizza so I made those pizzas with the cauliflower crust and he loved that. Top it off...healthy meal full of veggies. Breakfast I would often do Cream of Wheat and when it was almost done I would crack and egg or two on top. A bit more protein and in case he slept through lunch that would be hearty enough to tide him over.
NH, my dad can eat hard foods, but not all the nutrients that a shake can provide. Look at my profile for the ingredients I put in the shakes. My dad has excellent vitals w no meds.
I would stick with soup. So many recipes for soup.
Broccoli and cheese Potato Chicken tortilla (leave off the crunchy tortillas) Split pea Lentil Any beans, such as white, kidney, pinto, black, etc. Tomato Seafood bisque Corn and crab Clam chowder Oyster and artichoke
If you purée food you basically end up with soup anyway so stay with fantastic soup recipes.
What about smoothies for a sweet treat? Add in almond or peanut butter for protein if you like.
In the south we have grits. It’s basically polenta. That can be flavored many ways.
Cream of wheat and oatmeal can be flavored with different ingredients too.
There is almost nothing that can't be pureed, there is no need for special recipes.
To make foods that are more appealing think in terms of things that are normally served with a soft smooth texture For Breakfast: oatmeal cornmeal farina scrambled eggs
Lunches: soups - pretty much any soup can be whizzed with a blender and thickened if necessary egg salad/ham salad custards, both sweet and savoury smoothies
Dinners potato, sweet potato, squash, rutabaga are all commonly served mashed, but almost any well cooked veg avacado
gravy or cheese sauce adds calories and flavour
polenta with marinara or refried beans
for protein silken tofu - think of it as an add in protein powder eggs dairy - yogurt, kefir, cream cheese or pureed cottage cheese
Desserts cakes and cookies can be softened with milk or water and blended into a pudding apple sauce and other fruit sauces (may be thickened with commercial thickeners)
Anything with the texture of soggy bread she pushes out. I have tried oatmeal, even blended she pushes it out with her tongue. Mom does ok though with yogurt made with oats. Chobani sells it. Pudding texture is not to her liking either. Puree needs to be soup texture or out it comes. It was one day she was eating cheerios and bananas, the next pushing it out. Mostly I have been staying with soups, mashed potato with gravy, certain yogurts. Protein 20 drinks, Boost or a combination Boost and Carnation breakfast mix. Thank you for your ideas
Thank you, I didn’t think of split pea, great fiber idea. I have used tomato soup and cream of chicken. Puree before I heat it up. Risotto is a good idea also. Thank you
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Jr. Organic baby food? Of course a small treat of her favorite ice cream slightly melted. Cooked rice, gravy, cooked chicken blended. What is important is a varied diet that is healthy and tasty as possible. Just think of what she liked and go from there. Do you own and immersion blender? Great tool for reducing your cooking and blending time. Take from the family meal what she can eat, and blend. Use organic honey for elders' sweet tooth. Buy a smaller one as it's organic. Vegetables & a bit of honey works most times. I hope I helped. I had to come up with stuff before internet.
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To mash broccoli florets for example, only the stems can be boiled and pureed. It has a higher water content and the rest of the vegetable can be rough and uneven in texture. It sounds like your mom has a swallowing problem and uneven texture makes her nervous with the fear that parts are breaking off as they go down. You can't combine different solids for the most part unless one of them, such as wet rice, white bread without the edges, and thick noodles, is used to bind the ingredients together. So you have one dish with chicken, bread, and gravy, another with cauliflower, rice, and water, and so on. One part is the main food item, another to hold it together, and a liquid or cream to soften it.
I tried salmon puree at one time. The cream cheese makes it too sticky and difficult to move.
Also, creamy warm vanilla custard - whisk well one egg, 4 T heavy whipping cream, couple of Splenda packets in mug and teaspoon of vanilla or DaVinci’s type flavoring. Cook on high in microwave for 1 min, 20 seconds. Turn out into real custard cup and top with nutmeg, cinnamon, maple syrup (I used sugar-free) and top with whipped cream
Another recipe - cheesy scrambled egg - whisk together in mug 1 egg, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream. Microwave high 1 min & 20 seconds. Turn out into bowl or plate and use rubber spatula, fork or whatever to mash/mix into scrambled texture. Add pepper, chopped chives or whatever.
i also did deviled eggs - the Dash egg cooker makes easy hard boiled eggs
Dad also loved Cheesecake Factory cheesecake
Peanut Butter Mousse - stir together (with spoon) in a cup for about one minute or slightly longer - 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 2 packets splenda,, 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream. Mixture thickens as you stir. Serve in custard cup, add whipped cream if desired. Very rich dessert!
i also prepared thick cream soups and he had a daily glass or two of Metamucil for fiber (relieves constipation and puts end to diarrhea). Follow direction on packaging. Start out with small amount for first few days - see package recommendations. Must drink up fast, as it thickens and can cause choking. My dad was very cooperative on taking Metamucil. Godsend!
Pancakes with butter and syrup are pretty soft, too.
cottage cheese was a favorite
Toast & MilkMilkshakes with fruit & Protein
I did Mashed Pototoes Meat and gravy slot of things just liquid fy everything my Momma would love things then she stopped eating.
300g/400g soup
3pitted prunes (aids constipation)
2cubes of prepared and blits then frozen green veg(cook in minimal water for max nutrients and blend in the cooking water spoon into silicone icecube/babyfood trays)
Nutritional shake powder as directed
1sachet of baby fruit puree
2 Tablespoons of protein (meat, beans, lentils, tofu etc)
Blend and serve as a nutrient dense sou)
A recipe I've devised over years in Dementia & Palliative Care working with Dietician guidelines 🖤🌻💪 #nfiniteheart
#nfiniteheart
Rotisserie chicken, white bread, and chicken gravy.
Buttered broccoli and rice.
Buttered cauliflower and rice.
Cod and rice.
Tuna, white bread, and mayonnaise.
I use a Ninja food processor. Bread, rice, and noodles will absorb the liquid so that it's not too thin. I think you can also buy microwaveable mashed vegetables in the frozen section. The Stouffer's tuna casserole, lasagna with meat and sauce, and chicken fettucini alfredo are easy to puree with a 1/4 cup of water.
You can try substituting fiber bread for white bread to help her digestion. I didn't try that, but it would seem to be helpful.
Basically grate the cheese, scramble up the eggs - adding 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper), combine cheese and eggs.
In the meantime, cut and caramelize the onion.
Blanche the spinach. Drain and remove as much water as possible.
Then add the spinach to the onion (on the stove), mix and let any excess water.cook off.
combine everything together in a big bowl. Then pour into a (sprayed with PAM) pie plate.
Cook at 350 fo 25 minutes. Super easy!!
I added protein powder to milk, yogurt and fruit smoothies and with the kale it became a balanced meal!
This was at a time she was refusing to eat and wasn’t experiencing hunger at all. Maybe it can help you too.
charlotte
Watering items to puree makes for a watered down nasty taste.
I was thinking oatmeal blended with nuts and raisins and cooked with milk for extra protein. Coach's brand is whole oats so has a different texture than cut oats. My dad loved it.
This is true. Different brands make all the difference in taste and texture. I am not familiar with Coach’s. Please tell us more about this brand. I personally love Bob’s Red Mill organic oatmeal. It’s creamy and delicious! The Irish oatmeal is wonderful but it is definitely a heartier texture.
You are a wonderful cook! I will try the Coach’s oats. I have never seen it. Do you order it online?
Also, cooking methods of cooking oats may effect texture. I do stovetop or microwave. I haven’t yet tried the crockpot method of cooking oats.
I've also had some delicious squash soup, but, sorry, no recipe for it.
I did end up making a lot of soup because it was easier for him, and he loved my soups. Thicken soup with veggies rather than using a thickening product. And or just reduce the amount of water or other liquid in the soup. (If you do this watch the herbs, salt and pepper as they can get stronger.)
But earlier on I would puree beef, adding a bit of gravy to process it easier, chicken the same.
He had always loved pizza so I made those pizzas with the cauliflower crust and he loved that. Top it off...healthy meal full of veggies.
Breakfast I would often do Cream of Wheat and when it was almost done I would crack and egg or two on top. A bit more protein and in case he slept through lunch that would be hearty enough to tide him over.
Broccoli and cheese
Potato
Chicken tortilla (leave off the crunchy tortillas)
Split pea
Lentil
Any beans, such as white, kidney, pinto, black, etc.
Tomato
Seafood bisque
Corn and crab
Clam chowder
Oyster and artichoke
If you purée food you basically end up with soup anyway so stay with fantastic soup recipes.
What about smoothies for a sweet treat? Add in almond or peanut butter for protein if you like.
In the south we have grits. It’s basically polenta. That can be flavored many ways.
Cream of wheat and oatmeal can be flavored with different ingredients too.
Puddings for dessert is good too.
To make foods that are more appealing think in terms of things that are normally served with a soft smooth texture
For Breakfast:
oatmeal
cornmeal
farina
scrambled eggs
Lunches:
soups - pretty much any soup can be whizzed with a blender and thickened if necessary
egg salad/ham salad
custards, both sweet and savoury
smoothies
Dinners
potato, sweet potato, squash, rutabaga are all commonly served mashed, but almost any well cooked veg
avacado
gravy or cheese sauce adds calories and flavour
polenta with marinara or refried beans
for protein
silken tofu - think of it as an add in
protein powder
eggs
dairy - yogurt, kefir, cream cheese or pureed cottage cheese
Desserts
cakes and cookies can be softened with milk or water and blended into a pudding
apple sauce and other fruit sauces (may be thickened with commercial thickeners)
Risotto is another nutritious soft food, great flavour and you can make a big batch. You may nee to add extra broth to puree.