Thanksgiving Strategy on Soft Foods

[Meganator 41]

Hi!

I will be on soft foods during Thanksgiving this year. I know a lot of Thankgiving foods can be in the soft category, but I am curious what your plans and strategies are. What are some traditional foods you would avoid on a soft food diet?

I expect there will be a lunch followed by a leftover dinner. Thankfully, I do enjoy most Thanksgiving Proteins and am not a big dessert person at all. I'm wondering if maybe I should bring my own small plate and coordinate with the host on what will be served.

Let me know how you've rolled in the past or what your plans are!

[pintsizedmallrat 475]

My goal is to get down a little turkey, and maybe have a little spoonful of the inside of a piece of pumpkin pie. Luckily my whole family knows I had surgery so they're going to be pretty understanding of my inability to eat much and will just be happy I'm there.

[Pricilla 92]

Ooooo yassss I’m here for this tread!

Is turkey considered a soft food?

Actually, what should we avoid at Thanksgiving during soft foods? Is everything pretty much ok to taste?

[pintsizedmallrat 475]

2 minutes ago, Pricilla said:

Ooooo yassss I’m here for this tread!

Is turkey considered a soft food?

Actually, what should we avoid at Thanksgiving during soft foods? Is everything pretty much ok to taste?

Per my own surgeon's guidelines it is as long as it's cut very small, and is very moist, but review your own personal instructions from your own clinic as they can vary. I'm lucky that my mom has NAILED how to keep a bird from being super dry, but if your turkey is dry I recommend mixing gravy into it or maybe mixing into your mashed potatoes.

As far as things to avoid, I'd stay away from whole cranberry sauce, anything with nuts in it, anything with undercooked fibrous vegetables (which could include things like green bean casserole or stuffing depending on the "chef"), overly dry meats, salads, raw veggies, raw fruits, and alcohol.

Edited November 2, 2021 by pintsizedmallrat

[catwoman7 11,285]

my first Thanksgiving post-op I brought pumpkin-flavored Greek yogurt with me to eat while everyone else was having pumpkin pie. You could even put a dollop of light or sugar free Cool Whip on it. To be honest, I think I enjoyed that as much as I would have the pumpkin pie!

[Meganator 41]

1 hour ago, Pricilla said:

Ooooo yassss I’m here for this tread!

Is turkey considered a soft food?

Actually, what should we avoid at Thanksgiving during soft foods? Is everything pretty much ok to taste?

I agree with pintsizedmallrat. Usually we roast turkey, but I think I might be somewhere this year where they might smoke or fry it. Fry is juicy usually- but fried. Smoked is usually pretty dry and will need something extra. If it is super dry, I'll probably use wetter food to help it go down better.

Ham also seems to be on the menu and it's hard for me to resist. I might have a small taste, but focus more on turkey breast (higher protein).

Thankfully our green bean casserole is mostly canned stuff. My guess is that I would have to avoid the fried onion topping.

I would avoid skins in mashed potatoes as well if they include them.

I'm just afraid my eyes will be hungrier than what my pouch can handle.

Not everyone there will know I had surgery and a lot of what this family does revolves around food. Hoping I can be able to lay low enough to not be awkward and enjoy myself.

[ShoppGirl 5,073]

You can always tell others that you have to eat another thanksgiving dinner so you are trying not to overdo it. I used to have to go three places with my ex and I actually had to eat smaller portions at each place. People seemed to understand that.

Edited November 2, 2021 by ShoppGirl

[Cookie.Monster 17]

Yassss for this thread. I will be on soft foods by thanksgiving and I am currently salivating over what I can eat (still on liquids one week post op)

I am planning moist turkey, maybe string Beans? A dab of mashed potatoes/baked potatoes? The fact that I’ll be able to chew something has me giddy with excitement.

[Sunnyway 345]

4 hours ago, Meganator said:

I'm wondering if maybe I should bring my own small plate and coordinate with the host on what will be served.

Yes, absolutely. Set the small plate on the regular dinner plate as if it were a charger. Definitely coordinate with the host and bring your own food if soft food will not be available. Remember that you will be able to eat only a few small spoonsful of things like mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, pumpkin puree or pie filling. The turkey will need to go through a blender and moistened with gravy or it will get stuck. Stay away from alcohol and don't drink anything during the meals.