Can you eat oatmeal without chewing?

In this brief article, we will answer the question,”Can you eat oatmeal without chewing?” We will explain what a soft diet is and foods that can be consumed on a soft foods diet. We will also look at foods that should be avoided on a soft foods diet. We will further look at the nutritional value of oatmeal and health benefits of consuming oatmeal.

Can you eat oatmeal without chewing?

Yes, you can eat oatmeal without chewing. Oat meal is considered a soft food diet, you just need to ensure that it soaks up enough in the milk so that it softens and requires no chewing.

What is a soft food diet?

A soft food diet also known as a bland diet is one that consists of foods that are soft and easy to digest. A soft diet comprises special foods that are usually taken by people who are recovering from certain medical procedures or some illnesses and are usually prescribed by a medical practitioner.

Soft diets are used when a person cannot consume normal textured foods. Some examples of foods that can be consumed on soft diets are:

Veggies 

You can consume steamed or soft cooked vegetables such as green beans, carrots, spinach,  and well-cooked broccoli florets.

Fruits

You can make a smoothie from your favorite fruits or consume cooked and peeled fruits such as apples and applesauce, avocado, bananas, cooked pears and pureed fruits.

Grains

Grains are an excellent source of carbohydrates and can provide you with the requisite energy for the day. Ensure that you select grains that are low in fiber because they are easy to digest. 

Some goods examples of grains to consume on a soft diet include sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, hot cereals such as oatmeal or wheat cream,  moistened grains such as farro or barley etc

Dairy products

Dairy products are another excellent choice for a soft diet. Ensure that you go for dairy products that are high in proteins. Some good dairy products are Greek or regular yogurt, thin sliced cheese, milk, pudding and ricotta or cottage cheese.

Meat and poultry

Consumption of meat and poultry is important because it assists in provision of high quality proteins. Some good meats that you can consume are baked or boiled chicken, soft tuna, ground and moistened chicken and chicken salad.

Drinks

Drinks are essential for proper hydration. You can take tea, smoothies, protein shakes and most importantly plenty of water.

What foods should I avoid when on a soft foods diet?

You should steer clear of foods that are difficult to chew or digest and such include:

• Seeds and nuts
  
• Whole grains that contain a lot of fiber
  
• Tough proteins such as bacon, jerky and tough meats
  
• Raw and hard vegetables
  
• Fruits with the skin or hard and stringy fruits
  
• Snacks which might include pretzels, popcorns and fries

What is the nutritional content of oatmeal?

A 3.5 ounces serving of oatmeal equivalent to 100 grams can typically provide the below nutrients:

• Calories: 389
  
• Water: 8%
  
• Protein: 16.89 grams
  
• Carbohydrates: 66.27 grams 24% of the Daily value
  
• Sugar: 0 grams
  
• Dietary fiber: 10.6 grams 38% of the Daily value
  
• Cholesterol 0 mg
  
• Fat: 6.9 grams 9% of the Daily value
  
• Calcium 54 mg 4% of the Daily value
  
• Iron 4.72 mg 26% of the Daily value
  
• Potassium 429 mg 9% of the Daily value
  

What are some health benefits of consuming oatmeal?

It can lower cholesterol

Studies have shown that regular consumption of oatmeal can lower the levels of cholesterol. This is important because it lowers the risk of heart diseases. Oatmeal is rich in Beta-glucan which slows down the absorption of fats.

It can help prevent type 2 diabetes

This is once again attributed to the high levels of the soluble fiber Beta-glucan. Studies have shown that Beta-glucan has the ability of regulating blood sugar levels. 

It boosts fullness

Oatmeal is ranked the best breakfast food that helps promote fullness. Consumption of foods that promote fullness is important as it assists in energy balance and can further assist in the weight loss journey.

Fullness is as a result of the water soluble fibers such as beta-glucan which usually delay the emptying of the stomach contents and as well promote the release of enzymes that promote fullness.

Conclusion

In this brief article, we have answered the question,”Can you eat oatmeal without chewing?” We explained what a soft diet is and foods that can be consumed on a soft foods diet. We also looked at foods that should be avoided on a soft foods diet. We further looked at the nutritional value of oatmeal and health benefits of consuming oatmeal.

Citations

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/oats#benefits

https://www.webmd.com/diet/oatmeal-benefits