Helpful Tips for the Soft Diet :
• Continue low sugar , low fat food choices only . Use low fat cooking methods such as grilling , baking , steaming or microwaving .
• Continue to introduce new foods one at a time .
• Whole grain breads and crackers may be introduced now . Toast bread for the first few times , eat only 1 / 4 of a slice until you are sure you can tolerate it . After that , the portion is 1 / 2 slice of bread or 2 - 3 crackers . Make sure you chew well .
• Choose canned fruits only , juice or water packed , none in heavy syrup .
• Choose soft cooked vegetables .
• Choose tender meats , cut into small pieces . Keep meats moist with fat free gravy or broth .
• Avoid any food that is difficult to chew well . Examples : steak , asparagus , nuts , seeds .
Vitamin / Mineral Guidelines At 6 weeks After Surgery :
• Take one Multivitamin with Iron per day . Check that the iron source is carbonyl iron .
• Take one Vitamin B12 1000 - 1200 μg ( micrograms ) μg sublingual tablet weekly or 300 - 500 μg ( micrograms ) daily .
• Take 1200 - 1500 milligrams ( mg ) of Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D added , daily . Do not take at the same time as iron because iron interferes with calcium absorption . Do not take any other medications within 1 - 2 hrs . Take no more than one dose at a time .
• As directed by your surgeon for those with a history of anemia or menstruating women , take Iron – 50 - 66 milligrams ( mg ) ( carbonyl iron ) daily . Do not take Calcium at same time . Do not take on an empty stomach . If you are taking an iron supplement , take a multivitamin without iron .
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