Level 1: Pureed Food (First 2 Weeks after Esophageal Surgery)
Foods in this group are pureed or blended. A safe rule is “anything you can pour” but you can try foods that are a smooth, mashed potato-like consistency. If necessary, the pureed foods can keep their shape with the addition of a thickening agent. Meat should be pureed to a smooth pasty consistency. Hot broth or hot gravy may be added to the pureed meat, approximately 1 oz. of liquid per 3 oz. serving of meat. Most people just skip meats during this time.
Caution: If any foods do not puree into a smooth consistency, it may make eating or swallowing more difficult. Avoid lumpy foods such as oatmeal and foods with seeds or tough skins (peas, corn, zucchini seeds) as they sometimes do not blend well.
Sample Menu: Level 1 - Pureed Foods
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
Orange juice ½ cup Cream of Wheat or cottage cheese ½ cup | Pineapple juice ½ cup Pureed chicken noodle soup ¾ cup | Pureed turkey barley soup ¾ cup |
Pureed Scrambled eggs with cheese ½ cup Tea or coffee Fruit and yogurt smoothie | Mashed potatoes ½ cup Pureed and cooled broccoli ½ cup Apple sauce ½ cup Milkshake | Mashed potatoes ½ cup Pureed spinach ½ cup Frozen yogurt ½ cup Coffee or tea |
Level 2: Soft Foods
After your first 2 weeks, you can advance to a soft diet. In general this diet is Level 1 plus “anything you can squish through your fingers” but you can also start trying slippery noodles, white fish, minced chicken and soft, cooked vegetables that are chewed well. Take it slowly. Eat small bites, chew well! Don’t be fooled- avoid rice. Stay on this diet until everything goes down easily.
Please advance to level 2 for at least 2 days prior to your office visit.
Sample Menus: Level 2 - Soft Foods
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
Favorite smoothie 1 cup Oatmeal ½ cup Scrambled eggs ½ cup Tea or coffee | Pineapple juice ½ cup Flat buttery noodles 1 cup Mashed potatoes ½ cup Minced broccoli ½ cup Applesauce ½ cup | Soup ¾ cup Minced chicken 3 oz. Cooked spinach ½ cup Frozen yogurt ½ cup |
Level 3
After all of the foods in level 2 (soft foods) are passing through well advance up to the next level. This level includes French toast, pancakes, all pasta, ground red meat and steamed vegetables. It is still important to cut these foods into small pieces and eat slowly.
Sample Menu: Level 3
Hot Foods | Cold Foods |
Poultry
Ground or flaked meat
Eggs
French toast or pancakes
Noodles or pasta
Cooked vegetables, no frozen corn, peas, or mixed vegetables
Soup | Milk
Milkshakes
Juices
Canned fruit
Pudding, mousse, or custard
Green salad |
Level 4: Regular Foods
Foods in this group are soft, moist, regularly textured foods. This level includes red meat and breads, which tend to be the hardest things to swallow. Eat very slowly, chew well, and continue to avoid carbonated drinks.
Sample Menu: Level 4 - Regular Foods
Hot Foods | Cold Foods |
Fish
Poultry
Red Meat
Eggs
Bread and pasta | Cheeses
Fruits
Vegetables
Dairy products |
This information has been approved by Emily Speer, MD (January 2017).
