Sample Meal Patterns
Patients are encouraged to follow one of two meal patterns: 5-6 mini meals or 3 meals and 1-2 snacks. These two eating patterns are determined by the quantity of food that the patient can tolerate in a 20-30 minute period of time. Patients who can consume 1/2 cup or less in 20-30 minutes, should follow the 5-6 mini meal pattern. Patients who can consume 1/2 -1 cup in 20-30 minutes should follow the 3 meal/2 snack pattern; meals should be up to 1 cup quantity, while snacks should be 1/4-1/2 cup in quantity.
Soft Diet Sample Meal Pattern (5-6 mini meals)
The 5-6 mini meal pattern is based on a meal size of ½ cup (4 ounces) in a 20-30 minute period every 2-2 1/2 hours.
- Meal 1:
- ¼ cup scrambled eggs or egg whites (6g protein/0g net carbs/5g fat)
- 2 Tbsp cheddar cheese (4g protein/3g net carbs/6g fat)
- 2 ounces turkey sausage (12g protein/0g net carbs/4g fat)
- Meal 2:
- ¼ cup fat free cottage cheese (6g protein/2g net carbs/0g fat)
- ¼ cup canned peaches (in their own juice) (0g protein/7g net carbs/0g fat)
- Meal 3:
- 2 oz lean ground beef (11g protein/0g net carbs/2g fat)
- 1 Tbsp mexican shredded cheese (2g protein/2g net carbs/3g fat)
- 2 Tbsp black beans (3g protein/5g net carbs/1g fat)
- Meal 4:
- 1 string cheese (7g protein/1g net carb/6g fat)
- 6 wheat thin crackers (1g protein/8g net carbs/2g fat)
- Meal 5:
- 2 oz chicken breast (14g protein/0g net carb/2g fat)
- ¼ cup canned green beans (1g protein/1g net carb/0g fat) splash of soy sauce
- Meal 6:
- ½ Premier protein shake (15g protein/2g net carbs/2g fat)
Soft Diet Sample Meal Pattern (3 Meals+2 Snacks)
The 3 meals and 2 snacks pattern is based on a meal size of ¾-1cup (6-8 ounces) in a 20-30 minute period and a snack size of ¼-½ cup (2-4 ounces) in a 10-15 minute period.
- Meal 1:
- 5.5oz container Ratio yogurt (25g protein/9g net carbs/3.5g fat)
- ⅓ cup blueberries (0g protein/3g net carbs/0g fat)
- Snack:
- 1 bag Quest Nacho Cheese protein chips (18g protein/4g net carbs/6g fat)
- Meal 2:
- 3 ounces pulled pork (21g protein/0g carbs/18g fat)
- 1-2 Tbsp G. Hughes sugar free BBQ sauce (0g protein/2g net carbs/0g fat)
- ¼ cup steamed carrots (0g protein/2g net carbs/0g fat)
- Snack:
- ½ Premier protein shake (15g protein/2g net carbs/2g fat)
- Meal 3:
- 4 oz sauteed shrimp with lemon and garlic (28g protein/0g net carb/1g fat)
- ¼ cup canned green beans (1g protein/1g net carb/0g fat)
- 2 Tbsp baked sweet potato (1g protein/7g net carbs/0g fat)
- ½ tsp of butter (0g protein/0g net carbs/2g fat)