List of Soft Diabetic Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery

Oral surgery can necessitate limited foods for a patient in the days and weeks following the procedure. This is typically done to avoid traumatizing the mouth or damaging any repairs. A physician typically orders a soft diet for a specific time period following surgery. For the diabetic patient, a soft-food diet should not be too difficult to follow, as there are many soft diabetic foods to eat after oral surgery.

Carbohydrates

Diabetic patients must watch their intake of carbohydrates, which can raise blood glucose levels. If a patient carefully monitors how many carbohydrates she eats, she can still keep her blood sugar within a normal range. Carbohydrates supply energy to the body, so they are an important aspect of the diet. Soft carbohydrate foods for the diabetic patient include soft cereals such as oatmeal and farina; starchy vegetables such as cooked squash or mashed potatoes; and cooked beans. The American Diabetic Association recommends avoiding high sugar foods to provide carbohydrates, such as full sugar pudding and ice cream.

Fruits

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An ideal diabetic diet should have carbohydrates composing about 50 percent of calories. Fruits, which contain fiber, vitamins and nutrients, can be high in sugar and should be counted among carbohydrate levels. There are still many fruit choices available for a soft diabetic diet. Applesauce and bananas are options for soft foods following oral surgery. Fruits may also be blended with juice or ice to make a smoothie, but avoid choosing fruits such as raspberries that contain seeds.

Vegetables

Vegetables are important components of a diabetic diet, providing nutrients and vitamins essential for health. Many vegetables may be cooked to incorporate into a soft diabetic diet following oral surgery. Vegetables such as beets, carrots, eggplant and spinach are all soft enough to eat when cooked thoroughly. Avoid starchy vegetables, such as peas and potatoes, if carbohydrate levels are already too high.

Protein

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Foods high in protein are important for healing following oral surgery. Many low-fat dairy products may be incorporated into a soft diet, such as milk or cottage cheese. Eggs and tofu are two sources of protein that are also soft enough to be considered.

Fluids

It is important to maintain fluid intake after oral surgery; the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons advocates drinking six to eight glasses of water per day to maintain hydration. To avoid high amounts of sugar, patients should try to drink calorie free soft drinks or juices. If a patient has trouble maintaining calories, nutritional supplements such as diabetic-formula Boost or Glucerna can provide fat and nutritional intake without drastically altering blood sugar levels.