48

Part I Introduction to Nutrition Care in Older Adults TABLE 4.1 Finger-Food Diet

Objective: To provide food that is of a consistency that can be easily eaten by hand. Indications: For residents who are unable to or will not use silverware to feed themselves. General Information

1. All foods can be eaten without the aid of utensils. 2. The sodium and sugar content of this diet may make it difficult to combine with all types of therapeutic diets.

3. This texture modification cannot be combined with any other texture modifications (ie, pureed or mechani- cal soft).

Nutritional Adequacy: This diet can be planned to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances. Food Group Beverages

Foods Allowed All

Bread and Cereals

Any breads or rolls that can be picked up to eat by hand

Cold cereals that are formed in large pieces, served without milk

Pancakes, French toast, waffles cut into strips (serve with syrup on the side)

Desserts

Cookies, cake cut into pieces prior to meal service, ice cream bars, pudding pops, gelatin cubes, bar cookies, tarts, éclairs, donuts, ice cream cones, popsicles, turnovers

Eggs

Poached or fried; cooked hard (no runny yolk); hard-boiled

Quiches, omelets (cut into bite-size pieces) Consider using tortillas for breakfast tacos or toast for sandwiches

Fats Fruits All

Drained, canned fruits cut into bite-sized pieces or slices

Any fresh fruit cut into pieces or served whole if able to bite off pieces

Meat, fish, poultry, cheese, legumes

Meats sliced into strips; may be placed between bread to serve as a sandwich Meat patties cut into bite-sized pieces Chicken legs, thighs, wings, and breasts if not in a sauce

Slices or chunks of cheese Peanut butter on crackers

Any chicken nuggets, steak fingers, or fish sticks Hot dogs (cut in half lengthwise), quesadillas, hot pockets, pizza

None

Canned halves of fruits, applesauce or other pureed fruits

Cottage cheese, meats covered with gravy or thick sauces, large pieces of meats Casseroles

Pies, pudding, gelatin-based desserts, crisps, cobblers

Scrambled eggs, soft cooked eggs

Foods to Avoid None

Hot cereals, cereal with milk