Sample Day Meal Plan for Soft-Consistency Diet

Getting told to downgrade to a soft-consistency diet with Parkinson's disease (PD) may seem challenging at first. But rather than glorified baby food, what if it can be a Michelin star experience?

There are plenty of ways to make soft-consistency food delicious, appealing, and risk-free. After all, soft doesn’t have to mean flavorless! Help restore feelings of normalcy while minimizing your risk of aspiration with this sample day of meals for a soft consistency diet.

Breakfast

Hot Cereal

• 1 cup cooked rolled oats or farina
• 1 tbsp nut butter
• 1/2 tsp cacao powder
• 1 tbsp ground flax seed

Health Tip: Your tastebuds will go nuts for this classic flavor pairing. If you struggle with the lumpiness of oatmeal, use farina as an easy alternative. You can also chop whole oats in the blender or food processor for a smaller consistency before cooking.

This breakfast has a blended balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to help you start your day on the right foot! Allow this robust base to serve as a canvas for your own culinary creation!

For a sweet treat, top it with frozen raspberries that have been heated on the stovetop or briefly cooked in the microwave.

Mid-morning snack

Chia Seeds Pudding

• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup unsweetened plant-based milk
• 1 tbsp fruit compote

Health Tip: Many people with a swallowing impairment may struggle with consuming loose chia seeds. But, when transformed into a pudding, these nutrient-dense seeds form a gelatinous exterior, giving it a more uniform consistency that’s safer to consume.

These hearty seeds are abundant in fiber, which helps keep you full between meals while keeping you regular!

Lunch

Cauliflower Soup

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 medium yellow onion
• 1 large head of cauliflower
• 5 and 1/2 cups low-sodium or no salt added vegetable stock
• 1/2 tsp ground peppercorn
• 1/4 tsp ground lemon pepper
• 1/4 tsp citrus spice blend

Health Tip: Soups are an easy way to introduce colorful ingredients while enjoying a soft-consistency meal. Use an immersion blender to create your desired level of thickness. Try blending cannellini beans into soups if you need a thicker soft texture.

Experiment with other options such as tomato, lentil, split pea, sweet potato, and more! Remember, each different color of plant-based ingredients contains unique phytonutrients that help promote disease prevention and overall health!

Afternoon snack

Greek Yogurt Chocolate Pudding

• 5.3oz plain reduced-fat or low-fat vanilla Greek-style yogurt
• 1/4 tsp cacao powder

Health Tip: A healthy version of chocolate pudding? Yes, please! This protein-packed option provides the perfect way to get over the midday slump.

Cacao and cocoa are also abundant in querceti - a powerful nutrient that may help slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease by protecting dopaminergic neurons, ultimately contributing to cell survival.^1,2

Dinner

Salmon Salad

• 1 can wild pink Alaskan salmon (boneless, no salt added)
• 1 tbsp reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp hummus
• Salt and ground pepper to taste

Health Tip: Salad options such as chicken, egg, tuna, and salmon are simple ways to add protein to your daily meals. They can easily get adapted to different consistencies to facilitate easy eating!

In addition, this particular option is abundant in powerful omega-3s - a brain-boosting nutrient that gives neurotransmitters a helping hand. So, enjoy this protein-packed entrée alongside your favorite pureed vegetable or starch to provide a healthy balance.

Approximately 4 out of 5 people with Parkinson’s disease eventually develop a swallowing impairment.³

To learn more about adapting to an altered consistency diet, check out "The Soft Way to Fuel for Parkinson’s Disease."