Soft diets can become boring if people tend to rely on soup and ice cream. But with a little imagination and effort, a soft diet can be both appetising and nutritious.

The golden rule is to eat your favourite foods, but make changes which will soften them. For example, cover foods in interesting sauces and gravies; finely chop meat and vegetables and casserole or stew them; and cut the crusts off bread for softer sandwiches. If you have a blender you could blend or liquidise cooked foods.

There are several commercial products that you may find helpful for convenience and variety. You can get these products from your chemist. Your doctor may give you a prescription for some of them.