The nurse is caring for a patient 2 days after surgery.The ordered diet is a mechanical soft diet.Which of the following foods may the patient choose to eat?

A) Salad
B) Baked potato without skin
C) Cooked cereal
D) Soft peeled apples

Mechanically altered diets consist of chopped,ground,mashed,or pureed foods for patients who have problems with chewing or swallowing.Consistency can be varied according to the patient's own ability to chew or swallow.Small amounts of liquids added to foods contribute to an appropriate consistency.Liquids that are added should complement the food and should not conceal the food's original flavor.Butter,margarine,and honey can be added to increase caloric density.A regular diet with no restrictions could include a salad.A baked potato without the skin or soft peeled apples would be allowed on a dysphagia advanced diet that uses regular food,with the exception of very hard,sticky,or crunchy foods.