Question

Describe what a mechanically altered diet is, why a patient or client would be prescribed a mechanically altered diet, and give an example of a patient who would be appropriate for a mechanically altered diet.

Answer 1

Ans) American Dietetic Association © 2002. Level 2 Dysphagia Mechanically Altered This diet consists of foods that are moist, soft-textured and easily formed into a bolus. All foods on Level 1 are allowed. Meats and other select foods may be ground or minced into small pieces no larger than ¼”.

- The main goal of the mechanical soft diet is avoiding foods that require a lot of chewing, such as tough meat, raw veggies, bread with a thick crust, nuts, seeds, and hard or crunchy snacks.

- If you’re having trouble chewing and swallowing or are recovering from certain surgical or dental procedures, your doctor may prescribe a mechanical soft diet. You'll need to change the consistency of the foods you eat, but you won’t be as limited in your choices as you would be on a soft or liquid-only diet. Many of the foods you typically eat can be made safe for a mechanical soft diet by chopping, blending, or puréeing them.