I have a big outing with a large group of friends this evening and we are going to a barbeque restaurant. I do not want to just sit there through dinner. I would like to be able to order something while i am there to slowly eat. I am on the soft foods stage and have not had any problems with lean ground beef so far. Does anyone know if I can have some chili or mashed potatoes with gravy? Or does anyone have any other suggestions of what I can eat at this kind of restaurant in the soft foods stage? On the soft foods stage my doctor said I can eat kidney beans and tomatoe sauce and low fat cheese. I am sure the cheese, gravy, and chili will not be low fat but I thought one night may not be too bad. Or would a bbq chicken that I cut into very small pieces (lack of ability to puree) be a safer option?

I would probably stay away from the chicken just because you're still in the soft food stage, and you haven't had it solid. Some people have problems with chicken, and I would rather try a potential problem food at home first. On the other hand, since you're comfortable with ground beef, the chili sounds like a good option for you. Mashed potatoes and gravy would definitely be a soft food. BBQ beans would be soft option too. Since you're at 3 1/2 weeks, as long as you take your time and don't get distracted by conversation, I think you should do just fine.

Edited September 19, 200916 yr by kiz

Chili was on my soft food list. I had it often without any problems!

I had exactly the same question at the exactly the same period of time after my surgery. I was approx 3 1/2 weeks out and I was at a casino 2 hours from home, and I lost track of time (as i tend to do when gambling), found myself wondering about dinner at about 2am. They had a little short order diner in the casino that was open 24 hrs and the softest thing I could see on the menu was chili. I ordered it, and it was wonderful. I was afraid to eat too much of it, but I savored every bite of what I did eat, and I had no problems with it.