Your Introduction to Puréed Foods at the Grocery Store

Your Introduction to Puréed Foods at the Grocery Store

by | Mar 10, 2024 | The Puréed Kitchen

grocery store, red basket on floor of aisle

Grocery Shopping on a Puréed Diet

Dear Caregiver,

Welcome to the world of puréed foods at your local grocery store!   Understanding the variety of puréed options available at the grocery store can make the beginning of your journey into puréed foods a whole lot smoother. When individuals have to transition to a puréed diet, there are several challenges and emotions that may arise. We’ll look at what those challenges are in meeting this diet restriction.  This post will provide you with the best options during your grocery run.

bowl of sweet potato puree soup on granite counter top, salt and pepper shakers

Exploring Puréed Options at the Grocery Store

We are fortunate to live in a time where grocery stores provide a variety of foods already in a puréed form once we get used to looking for them. Essentially we are looking for foods that have already been blended or processed into a smooth consistency.  This is a convenient way to provide puréed foods in the first days of a persons  diet change relieving some of the pressure of having to make your own. Some of the common puréed foods you might shop for include the following:

  • Canned Purees: Look for canned varieties of fruits and vegetables like applesauce, cranberry sauce , lemon curd and pumpkin puree.  Cans or boxes of cream soups ready to heat and serve.  Soups, such as tomato, butternut squash or cream of broccoli, offer a comforting and nutritious meal option.  Canned refried beans. Canned or jars of gravy and sauces that can be layered as toppings on puréed vegetables and meats for added flavor and convenience to meal preparation.
  • Deli Purees: Hummus and guacamole. Egg salad, tuna salad and chicken salad are deli options that may require further processing at home to turn into a smooth puree.  Smooth spinach dip already made. Pesto is a blended mixture of basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and olive oil. This will also require further blending at home.
  • Frozen Purees: Frozen creamed or mashed vegetables i.e., spinach, potatoes, and winter squash. Sorbet is a frozen dessert made from puréed fruit, sugar and water.  It’s dairy free and has a smooth and icy texture, making it a refreshing option for those looking for a light and fruity treat.  Ice cream cups. Frozen yogurt. Smoothie packs containing proportioned fruits and some include vegetables that can be blended into a smooth, puréed consistency.  These make for a delicious and nutritious dessert or snack.
  • Dairy Purees: yogurts that are smooth blended. Some varieties of cottage cheese are available in a creamy or whipped consistency, resembling a puree.  Whipped or spreadable cream cheeses and sour cream.  Some grocery stores sell a wide variety of smoothies in the dairy section.
  • Dessert Purees: Applesauce and other single serve cups of fruit purees.  Fruit puree pouches that are portable and convenient snacks made from pureed fruits like apples, bananas, or berries.  They’re often marketed as healthy snacks for kids but can be enjoyed by people of all ages.  Gelatin desserts in a variety of flavors that can be enjoyed on their own or with whipped cream.
  • Baby Food Purees: I have had several adults find these convenient jars or pouches perfect for quick and easy consumption.  They offer a wide range of fruit and vegetable options.

These common foods found at your local grocery store provide a varied choice for individuals on a puréed diet. These food options offer convenience, versatility, and nutrition.  They are quick and easy meal solutions for those new to following or preparing a pureéd food diet. It’s  a good place to start, catch your breath with the new changes and challenges, and then start to build on these foods for more variety and palate pleasing meals!

tin can with pop top partially pulled back on can of soup

Most Commonly Consumed Puréed Foods

What are individuals eating? What will I make at home?  A puréed diet are foods that are easy to swallow, or digest, and have a smooth texture.  You may or may not be ready to prepare or know how to puree all the foods listed below, but it will provide you with a list of foods that are most commonly eaten by individuals requiring a puréed diet. Hopefully, this list will provide you with some ideas and educate you on further foods to consider while you start this journey.

  1. Cooked Vegetables: Vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash are commonly puréed as they become soft and easy to blend after cooking.
  2. Fruits: Soft fruits like bananas, avocados , applesauce, pears and peaches are popular choices for puréeing. They provide natural sweetness and are easy to blend into smooth textures.
  3. Soups:  Puréed soups made from vegetables, legumes, or meats are common staples in a puréed diet. Varieties like tomato soup, butternut squash soups and cream soups are greater soups for the beginner preparing puréed food. If your loved one is also on thickened liquids, soups would need to be thickened to the appropriate thickness.
  4. Meats: Canned meats, cooked meats, poultry or fish can be puréed.   Meats are often puréed with broth or sauces for added moisture and flavor.
  5. Dairy Products: Multiple dairy products are suitable for puréeing such as yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and cream cheese. When added to other foods they producing a creaminess to puréed dishes.
  6. Grains: Cooked grains such as rice, quinoa, oats, and couscous can be puréed with broth or milk into a smooth texture.
  7. Legumes:  Cooked and puréed legumes like beans, lentils and chickpeas can be seasoned and blended into creamy dips or spreads. They are great for adding to other foods as a thickener and flavor.
  8. Eggs:  Eggs are a staple for many of us in our diets.  Soft-cooked or scrambled eggs can be mixed with milk or broth into a smooth puréed consistency.
  9. Smoothies:  Blended drinks made from puréed fruits, vegetables , yogurt, and liquid are popular choices for individuals on a puréed diet.  They provide hydration, nutrients , and variety in flavor.  In my experience , when people do not have an appetite for food, we can more easily get them to drink. Smoothies are a great way to add calories and nutrition.
  10. Desserts:  Everyone enjoys a sweet dessert. Fruit sorbets, pudding, gelatin, and frozen yogurt and ice cream are sweet puréed options. Be aware that if you or your loved one also require thickened liquids, that gelatin and ice cream is a thin liquid and would be prohibited.

woman in grocery store aisle holding a red shopping basket , looking at food on shelves

Challenges to a Puréed Food Diet

There are common problems that individuals may face when having to puree their food.  Being aware of the challenges and the feelings that are commonly experienced when having to puree your food  will better prepare yourself as a caregiver in navigating the challenges as they arise.

Pureeing food initially will require some patience, creativity and possibly some support  to overcome the various challenges that you or your loved one may experience.

In my experience, especially for the elderly caregiver, they are often confused on how to puree food and what to puree for their loved one. There is the added burden a caregiver may feel for being the one  responsible for providing a safe and varied puréed diet.

Several challenges may arise when individuals have to transition to a puréed food diet including:

  • Texture and taste changes: Puréed foods look very different in texture from solid foods that are familiar to us.  The uniform texture of puréed foods can lead to a less satisfying eating experience for some individuals.  Puréed foods may taste different from their solid equivalent which takes some getting used to.
  • Limited Food Choices:  The assortment  of foods that can be puréed is somewhat limited compared to solid foods.  (I plan to debunk this notion!) This limitation can make meal planning  more challenging, leading to boredom or dissatisfaction with the diet.
  • Nutritional Concerns:  Caregivers are very concerned with being able to puree a variety of foods and have their loved ones consume enough to meet their nutritional needs and calories.
  • Difficulty in Social Settings:  Eating is a social activity. Individuals on a puréed diet may feel isolated or self-conscious when dining with others who are eating solid foods.  This can limit social interactions and lead to isolation , feelings of exclusion or embarrassment.
  • Time and Effort Required:  Preparing puréed foods at home can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.  Like any new skill, there is a learning curve when you are just starting out and it can feel overwhelming.  There is the added layer of difficulty if yourself or the caregiver have limitations with mobility or energy to take on this added challenge.
  • Emotional Impact:  Having to transition to a puréed diet is very emotional , particularly if it’s associated with a medical condition or health setback.  It may signify a loss of independence , a decline in one’s condition or disease or a new diagnosis of dysphagia. With a new or worsening swallowing problem comes a heightened fear or risk for a person to safely eat orally. These feels of frustration, sadness and/or anxiety are experienced by the individual themselves, as well as, their loved ones and caregiver(s).

blender full of food being puréed. garlic heads on counter, empty bowl

Supporting a Person on a Puréed Diet

Changing one’s diet is a daunting and challenging task for any of us with or without the necessity to do so for a medical cause.  Having to transition to a puréed diet is often not a planned or expected change to make.

There is a lot one can do for themselves or for the one they care for going through this shift in diet consistency. We can support a person and provide them with patience, understanding and encouragement.  Here are some ways to provide support:

  1. Educate yourself:  Educating yourself will bring a sense of control.  We don’t know what we don’t know and what we don’t know can feed on anxieties and worries.  Learning about the medical condition and dietary restrictions will bring more understanding. This knowledge will help you support them effectively and make appropriate food choices.
  2. Listen and Communicate:  If your loved one is able to express themselves, listen to their concerns.  Offer reassurance and validate their feelings, acknowledging that changing dietary habits can be challenging.
  3. Be Flexible and Creative: As I mentioned above in the post, a new skill takes time to develop.  Help them explore new foods and recipes that align with their dietary requirements. Find easy foods to start with, like foods mentioned above, at the grocery store. Offer suggestions and assistance in meal planning and preparation .  Be flexible and open to trying new ingredients and cooking methods as time goes on.
  4. Provide Practical Assistance: Offer practical support such as grocery shopping, meal preparation, and cooking. Help them identify suitable foods at the grocery store.  Assist with meal preparation and cooking especially if they have physical limitations or are adjusting to pureeing foods themselves.  If a  puréed diet is a long-term diet restriction, one may consider exploring commercial puréed foods to purchase and have delivered if preparing one’s own is not possible or feasible.
  5. Offer Emotional Support:  Extending empathy, encouragement, and positivity will demonstrate  your understanding of the challenges they are facing and show that you are there to support them.
  6. Seek Professional Guidance:  Seek consults with healthcare professionals , such as dietitians, nutritionists or speech-language pathologists for personalized dietary advice and guidance.  Professional support can provide valuable insights and strategies tailored to their specific needs and medical condition.  Professionals can answer your many questions and provide relief to stress one may be feeling.

Conclusion

The grocery store will be your first stop when transitioning to a puréed diet.  As a beginner, make a shopping list of the common foods mentioned above to provide you with quick and convenient foods to provide to your loved one in those early days.

Gradually you can move on to the most commonly eaten foods on a puréed diet that will require further preparation at home as you adjust to the challenges you may be facing.  In future posts, I will be providing step by step instructions , recipes and videos for further education and teaching.

To get ready for pureeing your own food, read my blog post on The Beginner’s Guide: Essential Tools for Perfect Food Puree!

Best Wishes, Jean

The Beginners Guide: Essential Tools for Perfect Puréed Food

The Beginners Guide: Essential Tools for Perfect Puréed Food

by | Mar 1, 2024 | The Puréed Kitchen

jars filled with pureed food, baby food jars lined up in a row, whole fruits and vegetables paired with pureed version

Introduction:

Dear Caregiver,

Your loved one or the person you are caregiving for just got a new diagnosis of dysphagia (swallowing problem) and recommendations were made to puree their food.  You are overwhelmed and worried about how to do that and what tools or equipment you may need.

This guide will help and reassure you that likely you already have in your kitchen the essential tools needed to perfectly puree any food.

People with dysphagia are at increased risk for medical complications. This may be caused by choking, aspiration pneumonia and/or exacerbation of other respiratory problems.

This type of diet is recommended by a provider such as your primary care physician, dietitician, oncologist, gastroenterologist or speech-language pathologist.

It is natural to have mixed feelings about being on a puréed diet. There may be some initial resistance about being placed on a puréed diet.

There may be social challenges to face when dining out or when attending social gatherings.  You may be concerned about meeting your loved one’s nutritional needs and how to make the food tasteful and appealing to them to be more accepting.

This guide will help in providing information on where to begin this journey.

blender on kitchen counter

What Is Puréed Food?

Diet consistency terminology and definitions to describe texture modified foods and thickened liquids are set by the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative. These standards are followed by care settings globally to have consistent methods to help ensure correct textures and thicknesses.

You may have received from your provider a handout for Dysphagia Level 4: Thickened Puree Foods. The IDDSI defines the puréed diet as follows: “This diet consists of foods that are very smooth, creamy, and moist. Puréed foods do not have any lumps and are not sticky or gooey.  They do not require biting or chewing.  Foods are “pudding-like” and can be eaten with a spoon.”

It is important to follow these diet recommendations to provide the nutrition your loved one needs in a safer manner to decrease their risk for medical complications.

food processor blade mincing onions

The Importance of Pureeing Food:

To eat and drink safely, it is important to follow your new diet.  The main benefit of a puréed diet is to make foods safer to swallow.  The goal is to provide a variety of foods that are safer to eat to maintain or improve nutrition.

 A pureed diet is addressing oral, pharyngeal and/or esophageal problems that increase risk of choking or harm that  more solid foods may cause.

This type of food is for people that may have a myriad of problems.  Swallowing problems and difficulty eating can occur for people who may have the following diagnoses or disorders:

  • Neurological disorders i.e., Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Dementia, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental disorders
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Cancers i.e., esophageal cancer; head and neck cancers
  • Esophageal disorders i.e., esophagitis, gerd, cancer, barretts esophagus, strictures
  • Advanced age
  • Missing teeth or ill fitting dentures; mouth pain; oral surgery; oral cancers
  • Cognitive impairments
  • food processor chopping hard boiled eggs

How to Prepare Puréed Food:

Almost any food can be puréed with the right ingredients and equipment.  To prepare puréed food, there are two essential kitchen appliances needed. You will need a blender and a food processor.

Each of these appliances works best for certain foods depending on the level of moisture in the food.

Blenders rely on liquid ingredients to pull ingredients down towards the blades for pureeing. The blade of a blender continuously circulates the ingredients to create a smooth mixture.

Here are examples of foods that are typically better suited for pureeing in a blender versus a food processor: Smoothies and protein or ice cream shakes;  soups; sauces and dressings; applesauce and fruit blends; puree roasted vegetables or fresh fruits; smooth salsa; nut butters; puddings, custards and mousse; and frozen drinks.

Food processors have more efficient blades and work better for the preparation of drier, harder and more solid foods. Processors make easy work of cutting, grating and slicing. It works best for chopping a large batch of vegetables, shredding, blending and dicing all types of foods.

Here are examples of foods that are typically better suited for pureeing or pre-preparation in a food processor versus a blender:  fruits and vegetables with thick skins; raw foods; whole or larger ingredients; dry ingredients; bread crumbs; shredding cheeses; shredding vegetables; chopping or mincing vegetables; ricing cauliflower and other vegetables;  and mincing meat.

food processor shredding cheese

Common Mistakes to Avoid for Beginners:

I always remind caregivers that learning to puree food is a new skill and it will require practice to get good at achieving the consistency wanted.  With practice, you will become more confident and slowly be able to provide a variety of foods to enhance nutrition at each mealtime.

The following are some pitfalls to avoid that are commonly made by beginners when learning to puree food:

  1. Overfilling the Blender or Food Processor: This can lead to uneven blending. This can leave chunks of food or create an inconsistent texture in the puree.
  2. Not Adding Enough Liquid: This can make it difficult for the blender or food processor  to effectively process the food into a smooth puree. In order to avoid a thick or pasty consistency enough liquid needs to be added.
  3. Using the Wrong Blade or Speed Setting: Using the wrong blade or speed setting can affect the consistency of the puree.  Making this error may result in over-blended food or under-blended food.
  4. Skipping Pre-Processing Steps: Some foods will require pre-cooking or processing before pureeing.  Foods with tough skins or fibrous textures will need correct preparation to avoid a gritty or fibrous texture in the puree.
  5. Not Seasoning Adequately: To enhance the flavors of food, it is essential to add seasonings. To avoid bland tasting purees you will need to add salt, herbs, spices and other seasonings.
  6. Over-Processing the Food: Over-blending and over-processing food may lead to loss of texture and flavor. It can also result in a puree that is thin or watery.
  7. Not Straining the Puree: Some foods, especially fruits and vegetables with seeds or skins, may require straining to achieve a smooth texture.  Skipping this step will result in an undesirable texture that is gritty or lumpy.
  8. Not Paying Attention to Food Safety:  When you puree food there is a greater risk of bacterial growth. Cleanliness is very important when handling food. Keep work area clean and use soap and hot water to wash your equipment after each use. Keep cold food products in the fridge until you are ready to use them. Keep puree foods in the fridge in airtight containers. You can freeze these foods for up to two months.
  9.  Lack of Experimentation: Beginners may limit themselves to sticking to familiar recipes or ingredients. There are endless possibilities for foods to puree but will require the caregiver to be creative and experiment with new recipes and ways to prepare foods to provide a greater variety of foods to the person we are cooking for.
  10. Not Considering Dietary Restrictions: The caregiver needs to keep in mind when preparing puréed foods that they not overlook  previous known dietary restrictions or special considerations. Consider factors such as allergies, intolerances, or specific dietary preferences and restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Q: What foods can be puréed?  A: Virtually any food can be puréed, including fruits, vegetables, grains, meats and legumes. However, some foods may require pre-cooking and pre-processing to achieve a smooth consistency.
  2. Q: How do I know when the puree is done blending?  A: The puree is done blending when it reaches a smooth and uniform consistency, with no visible chunks or lumps remaining.
  3. Q: Do I need to peel fruits and vegetables before pureeing them?  A: It depends on the flavor and texture desired. Some fruits and vegetables can be puréed with skins intact and others may benefit from peeling to get a smoother consistency.  This may require some experimentation to see what works best for your recipes.
  4. Q: How much liquid should I add to the puree?  A: The amount of liquid needed depends on the type of food being puréed and your desired consistency.  Start with a small amount of liquid and gradually add more as needed until you reach the desired texture.
  5. Q: Can I use water as a liquid when pureeing food?  A: Yes, water is a common liquid used in purees.  However, you can also use other liquids such as broth, milk, juice to add flavor and nutrients to your purees.
  6. Q:  How do I store puréed food?  A: Pureed food can be stored in airtight containers for up to several days.  You can also freeze puréed food in ice cube trays or freezer bags for longer storage.  Be sure to label and date the containers for easy identification.
  7. Q: Can I reheat puréed food?  A: Yes, pureed food can be reheated either on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.  Stir the puree occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent hot spots.

Conclusion:

If you have a blender and/or food processor then you have at least one or both of the essential tools needed to start pureeing food.  With practice, you will become more confident, comfortable and efficient with knowing which appliance to use and when. In future posts, I will continue to add more tools, techniques , instructions and recipes to make it easier on the caregiver to puree foods for their loved one.   Although I have recommended and instructed caregivers for more than three decades, I have personally not had to do puree foods every day for every meal or snack to provide to someone in my care.  I will be learning right along side you!

Best Wishes, Jean