Q: My grandfather has just been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer (it has spread to his lungs too). He just got a stent placed in his oesophagus and has been advised to eat soft foods. What Indian dishes are considered as soft foods? Are there any recipes books you can recommend or point me to some Internet sites? Any examples that you could provide will be greatly appreciated.

A:A soft diet means eating foods that are soft and easy for you to chew or to swallow. Eating soft foods may help if you have problems chewing or swallowing. This diet leaves out foods that are high in fiber and foods that cause excess gas. It also leaves out tough or stringy meats, and foods that are hard to cut into bite size pieces. Use a food processor to grind or puree foods to make them easier to chew and swallow. You may need to chop meats or flake fish to make them soft enough to chew. Avoid or limit foods in the cabbage family if they cause excess gas. This includes cauliflower & cabbage. Cooked dried beans and peas/ pulses may also cause gas leading to discomfort. Serving Sizes: Use the list below to measure foods and serving sizes. A serving size means the size of food after it is cooked or prepared. 1-1/2 cup (12 fluid ounces) of liquid is the size of a cola can. 1 cup of food is the size of a large handful, or 8 fluid oz.1oz =30 ml 1/2 cup of food is about half of a large handful, or 4 fluid oz. 2 tablespoons (Tbsp) is about the size of a large walnut. 1 tablespoon (Tbsp) is about the size of the tip of your thumb (from the last crease). 1 teaspoon (tsp) is about the size of the tip of your little finger (from the last crease). 3 ounces of cooked meat, fish, or poultry is about the size of a deck of cards. 1 ounce of cooked meat, fish, or poultry is about 1/4 cup. One ounce of hard cheese is about a 1-inch cube. A serving of vegetables is 1/2 cup (1/2 handful) cooked. Beverages: He needs to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. Dairy: Eat or drink 2 to 3 servings a day from this list. 1/2 cup custard or pudding 1 cup milk or milk drinks 1 cup milkshake 1/2 cup soft ice cream or ice milk without fruit or nuts 1 cup yogurt (plain or with soft fruits) Do not eat the following foods: Yogurt or ice cream with nuts. Desserts / Sweets: He can eat foods from this list if he needs them to maintain or gain weight. The foods should not have nuts, seeds, or coconut in them. soft canned fruit 1 piece of pastry (like sweet roll) 3 inch square piece of cake Do not eat the following foods: Hard candy Peanut brittle or toffee Almonds, peanuts, walnuts Other nuts and seeds that are hard to chew Fruits: Eat 2 to 4 servings a day from this list. 1/2 cup canned fruit without seeds or skins 1/2 ripe banana 1/2 cup fruit juice 1 cup melon cubes Do not eat the following foods: Dried fruits such as dates or apricots Raw, crisp fruits such as apples Raspberries, blackberries Stringy fruits such as pineapple or mango Meats / Protein Foods: Eat 2 to 4 servings a day from this list. 2 ounces cheese (in sauces or melted in other dishes) 1/2 cup cottage cheese/ paneer 1 egg that has been poached or scrambled 3 ounces ground, chopped, or cut in small cubes meat, fish, or poultry (with gravy to moisten) 3 ounces tofu Do not eat the following foods: Fried chicken or fish with breaded coatings Hard cheese Overcooked meats or fish that are dry like tandoori items Soups: Eat up to 3 servings a day from this list. 1 cup cream soup with soft vegetables 1 cup pureed or blended soups Starches: Eat 6 to 10 servings a day from this list. The foods should not have nuts, seeds, or dried fruits in them. 1/2 cup cooked cereal, rice, 1 chappati( 6 servings means 6 chappaties for the day) 1/2 cup macaroni, pasta, or noodles 1/2 cup mashed or cooked potatoes without skins 1 cup plain dry cereal in milk 1 slice soft bread Do not eat the following foods: Bran cereals Corn, potato, or tortilla chips Popcorn Vegetables: Eat 3 to 5 servings a day from this list. 1/2 cup soft, well cooked vegetables without seeds or skins 1/2 cup vegetable juice (like tomato juice) Do not eat the following foods: Crunchy raw vegetables like carrots, celery sticks, broccoli, or cauliflower