Plan a soft diet for a 50-year-old woman recovering from a viral fever and calculate its nutritive value.

1. 1 · Aim. To plan, prepare and calculate a soft diet for Mrs. L.
2. 2 · Principles.
   • Adequate diet; soft, easily chewed and digested
   • Low in tough fibre; mild spices
   • Steamed, boiled or stewed, never fried
   • 5-6 meals; energy and protein for recovery
3. 3 · Nutrient prescription. IBW = 54 kg; energy 54 × 30 ≈ 1600 kcal; protein 54 × 1.0-1.2 ≈ 60 g; fluid about 2 L.
4. 4 · Foods to include and avoid. Include idli, soft rice, phulka, dals, curd, egg, cooked vegetables, ripe fruit; avoid fried foods, raw salads, whole grams, chillies.
5. 5 · Sample menu. [Table: Time | Menu | Amount, 6 am to 9.30 pm]
6. 6 · Calculation. [Table: food group | amount | energy | protein] Total about 1597 kcal and 58 g protein (100% and 96%).
7. 7 · Result. The soft diet gives about 1597 kcal and 58 g protein and meets Mrs. L's needs.
8. 8 · Preparation tips. Steam or boil, peel and deseed, keep dosa and phulka soft, serve small attractive portions.

Scoring tip: Add one line contrasting soft and semi-solid diets; it is the commonest follow-up viva question.