For residents on Soft Texture A diet, many foods can be modified so they are in line with the texture requirements without needing to reduce the balance and variety in their meals.

However, there are some foods that are unable to be adequately modified to be compliant with the Soft Texture Diet placing the resident on this diet at risk of aspiration or choking. One commonly observed food not appropriate for a Soft Texture diet is peas. 

The Australian Standard of the Soft Texture A diet states food must be naturally soft or cooked to alter its texture, easily broken up with a fork, and no bigger than 1.5cm x 1.5 cm. Skins, outer shells, and stringy bits in fruit and vegetables cannot be easily broken up, so should be excluded from the Soft Texture A diet.

Although peas are small and can be softened by cooking, their outer shell remains intact, therefore they are not compliant with a Soft Texture A diet, and can place your resident at risk. Oher foods that may be overlooked are corn, grapes, string beans and capsicum.

Have you ever tried to peel a whole cup of peas? It is about as much fun as it sounds. If your resident absolutely loves their peas, a safe alternative is tinned peas. They have been soaking in liquid so long, that their shells have dissolved and are safer on the Soft Texture A modified diet. 

Are there any other foods you are not sure are appropriate for a Soft Texture A diet? Make sure you are familiar with the Texture Modified Diet guidelines, and please feel free to ask your Speech Pathologist should you have any questions!