A pureed diet requires no chewing and is recommended if a Speech and Language Therapis (SLT) has assessed you because of a swallowing difficulty. 

A pureed diet is a thick, smooth, uniform consistency.

Pureed food is:

• Smooth throughout; has no bits, lumps or skin
• Moist throughout
• Able to hold its shape on a spoon or plate
• Usually eaten with a spoon, pureed food can be eaten with a fork as long it does not fall through the prongs
• Can fall off a spoon slowly

Pureed food should not:

• Require chewing
• Have any loose liquid- excess fluid should either be drained off or combined within the puree
• Be drunk through a cup/straw

If your drinks require thickener, puree food should not be thinner than your drinks.

If you need thickened fluids, please avoid jelly and ice cream- these foods melt to a normal fluid consistency and so increase the risk of aspiration (going into your lungs rather than your stomach.

Preparation advice

• Cook as per cooking instructions and cut into small pieces before blending
• Food can be pureed using a blender, liquidiser, food processor or masher, and then passed through a sieve to remove any lumps
• Pureed food often needs to be blended with a liquid/sauce to ensure it remains smooth and moist.

Signs of swallowing difficulties

• Coughing or choking when  swallowing food or drink (during or after meals)
• A ‘gurgly’ voice after eating or drinking
• Food remaining in your mouth after a meal
• Shortness of breath during or after eating
• Food feeling stuck in your throat

Please note: your swallow may be worse than usual if you are sleepy or unwell.

If you notice any of the above signs, contact your GP or Speech and Language Therapy Team for advice.

Ideas and examples of foods

Breakfast

• Pureed porridge or porridge made from powder, e.g. Ready Brek
• Weetabix made with hot milk and combined
• Pureed creamy scrambled eggs
• Pureed baked beans
• Pureed banana or other soft fruits (avoiding pips/seeds)

Main Meals

• Pureed meat/fish in sauce with pureed vegetables
• Pureed casseroles or stews
• Pureed pasta/rice with sauces, e.g. curry
• Puree cheese and potato pie
• Pureed cauliflower cheese
• Smooth, thick soups (if you need thickened drinks, all soup should be the same consistency as your drinks)

Puddings

• Stewed, pureed fruit with custard
• Smooth mousses
• Angel Delight
• Crème caramel
• Smooth custard
• Pureed rice pudding
• Yoghurts (smooth, no bits)
• Pureed banana combined with cream/custard