4 Phase Diet – Phase 3: Soft Food
4 Phase Diet – Phase 3: Soft Food
←Phase 2: Pureed Food
After completing the Pureed Food phase we’re sure you’re ready to move on to Soft Foods.
The purpose of the Soft Food phase is to introduce fruits and non-starchy vegetables into your diet and to slightly increase the size of your meals.
Goals for Phase 3 - Soft Food
→Women: >60 grams
→Men: >75 grams
→BPD/DS: >90 grams
Carbs: 30-60 grams
Fat: 30 grams
Fluid: 64 ounces
How long is the Soft Food Phase?
Soft Food Eating Rules
- Total meal size should be 3 oz (maximum) – this is about the size of the palm of your hand
- Eat protein first (2 oz.) and fruit or veggies second (1 oz)
- Don’t drink anything during meals
- Wait to drink until 30 minutes after meals
- Use protein supplements in between meals to help meet your daily protein goal
Here's what your plate should look like
Keys to Surviving the Soft Foods Phase
During Phase 3 it’s important that you focus on eating 3 meals per day without any aimless snacking. The 2-3 ounce meal size is a maximum, not a minimum so if you get full before finishing you should stop.
The entire meal should be 3 ounces. So you can either have 3 ounces of protein or 2 ounces of protein and 1 ounce of fruit or vegetables. Also, keep your fruit and vegetables to 1 ounce total, this will help you prioritize your protein and help you reach your daily protein goal.
Aim to keep your mealtime under 20 minutes. This will help you avoid overeating. Also, don’t ever force yourself to finish your meal if you get full before you eat everything. Listen to your body and protect your pouch – NEVER eat to the point of discomfort!
Sample Soft Food Meal Plans
Day 1
Breakfast: High Protein Deviled Egg & Bacon
AM Snack: Strawberry Protein Pudding/Shake Packets
Lunch: Pork Taco Soup
PM Snack: Instant Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie Bottles
Dinner: Turkey Kale Meatballs with Herbed Cream Sauce
Evening Snack: Beef Bouillon Soup
Day 2
Breakfast: Instant Chocolate Protein Drink Bottles
AM Snack: Vanilla Protein Shake/Pudding Packets
Lunch: Baked Fish with Almond Chutney
PM Snack: Berry Delicious Protein Smoothie Packets
Dinner: Pork Taco Soup
Evening Snack: Instant Pineapple Orange Protein Drink Bottles
Day 3
Breakfast: High Protein Deviled Egg & Bacon
AM Snack: Strawberry Protein Pudding/Shake Packets
Lunch: Pork Taco Soup
PM Snack: Instant Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie Bottles
Dinner: Turkey Kale Meatballs with Herbed Cream Sauce
Evening Snack: Beef Bouillon Soup
Day 4
Breakfast: Vanilla Protein Shake/Pudding Packets
AM Snack: Instant Pineapple Orange Protein Drink Bottles
Lunch: Turkey Kale Meatballs with Herbed Cream Sauce
PM Snack: Chicken Bouillon Soup
Dinner: Baked Fish with Almond Chutney
Evening Snack: Berry Delicious Protein Smoothie Packets
Day 5
Breakfast: High Protein Deviled Egg & Bacon
AM Snack: Strawberry Protein Pudding/Shake Packets
Lunch: Pork Taco Soup
PM Snack: Instant Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie Bottles
Dinner: Turkey Kale Meatballs with Herbed Cream Sauce
Evening Snack: Beef Bouillon Soup
Day 6
Breakfast: Berry Delicious Protein Smoothie Packets
AM Snack: Vanilla Protein Shake/Pudding Packets
Lunch: Baked Fish with Almond Chutney
PM Snack: Beef Bouillon Soup
Dinner: High Protein Deviled Egg & Bacon
Evening Snack: Instant Pineapple Orange Protein Drink Bottles
Day 7
Breakfast: High Protein Deviled Egg & Bacon
AM Snack: Instant Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie Bottles
Lunch: Turkey Kale Meatballs with Herbed Cream Sauce
PM Snack: Strawberry Protein Pudding/Shake Packets
Dinner: Pork Taco Soup
Evening Snack: Beef Bouillon Soup
Phase 3 is the longest phase of the 4 Phase Diet after bariatric surgery. Properly using protein supplements during Phase 3 will help you meet your protein goal, feel fuller longer and keep you on track. This way you’ll be ready for Phase 4 and your new bariatric life.