Question:
Can you pretty much puree anything?

I am 9 days post op, on a pureed diet. I am already tired of cream of wheatand oatmeal. Ground meats, yuck.    — Donna S. (posted on October 21, 2001)

October 21, 2001
I work with terminally ill hospice patients, most of whom have a lot of digestive problems and eat a lot of pureed foods. In our inpatient unit, it is always a challenge to provide them with variety and optimal taste. Our dietitian defines "pureeing" as a process, and feels that any meat, fish, vegetable or fruit can be pureed successfully. In my own post-op course, I took some hints from her and was able to broaden the variety of "full liquids" or "purees" that were prescribed in the first 3 weeks post-op. I used a min-blender....remember you're only going to want or be able to eat a few bites of anything during that time.....and I pureed whatever my family was eating at the time. Visually, some things can be a turn-off, but if you just close your eyes, the tastes will be the same :-) Strangely enough, macaroni and cheese was the only thing that I can remember really "wanting"....so I pureed it and it was like heaven! The key to pureeing "regular food" is to remember that you are going to have to add liquid in small amounts to achieve the desired consistency. Otherwise, you'll end up with a stiff, gummy ball of something in the bottom of your blender that no one in their right mind would want to eat. I diluted meat-based dishes (spaghetti, lasagne, beef stew, etc..) with bouillon....I diluted macaroni & cheese, and veggie lasagne with skim milk. This has been a support group topic with my surgeon's patients several times, and he wholeheartedly supports the idea. His feeling is that those first weeks are for healing, and developing a positive attitude about this major step that we have taken. Every patient seems to complain most about the "boredom" of the diet during the first stages. Be creative and know that you'll be moving on to "real food" before you know it. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

October 22, 2001
Can you eat deli turkey/chicken/ string cheese? My dr. says only protein (no mush foods) All of his pateints eat meat/protein while in the hospital, but it's best to listen to your dr.
   — [Anonymous]

October 22, 2001
My favorite household item post-op was my mini food processor. I used it to puree what my family was having for dinner or to get the chunks out of soup. I aslo would take small cans of tuna or chicken and puree it with some light Miracle Whip and onions for flavor. This was such a welcome relief after liquids. I make egg salad the same way as the tuna or chicken - I still make it this way only now I don't blend it fine.
   — georgiacarol

October 23, 2001
Anything can be pureed. You may need to add a bit of water or milk. But, yes anything can be pureed. It may not be as appetizing but give it a shot.
   — Carla C.

October 25, 2001
HMM... pork was not a "fun" pureed food. Just remember when you add liquid to puree your food, dont use water. It weakens the taste and milk has protien. Broth works good when pureeing meets. My mother made potato soup and I lived on that with cheese for a week. It just tasted so good.
   — RebeccaP