Southwestern - The Vegetarian Resource Group

Level 5 Diet — Regular Foods (Modified)Foods for Level 5 are ‘regular’ table foods thatcan be served soft and moist. Depending on theperson’s ability, they are served whole, rather thancut up or chopped.Here are some ideas for a Level 5 Diet:• Soft, moist vegan meats, such as Tofurkywith gravy, veggie burgers served with gravyon a soft bun, vegan ground round ‘meat’sauce, etc.• Baked firm tofu• Vegan cold salads (such as chicken-less salad)mixed with vegan mayonnaise (Do not addcelery, crispy veggies such as bell peppers orcarrots, or veggies with skins or seeds such astomatoes or pickles.)• Vegan lasagna, stuffed shells, or ravioli• Cold cereal without nuts, seeds, or dried fruit• Toast, crackers, and cookies without seeds,nuts, or dried fruit• French toast or pancakes, steamed tortillas• Noodles or pasta (Rice is too difficult to chew.)• Whole (not chopped) canned or cooked fruit• Baked, boiled, or steamed potatoes• Soft, cooked vegetables, but no corn or beans• Peeled, ripe fresh fruit, such as peaches, apricots,and seedless grapes (Citrus fruits andberries are not a good idea.)• Creamy bean soups• Fruit pies, cornbreadSample Menu, Level 5Breakfast• Orange juice• Oatmeal with baked apple pieces• Scrambled tofu with vegan soy cheese• Decaffeinated green tea• Soymilk smoothieLunch• Pineapple juice• Black bean loaf with mushroomvegansour cream gravy• Steamed tortillas• Sliced fresh broccoli and cauliflower• Apple pie with vanilla sauce (soft silken tofu,blended with orange juice concentrate andvanilla extract)Dinner• Barley-vegetable soup (no corn, celery, orwhole beans)• Teriyaki tempeh• Udon noodles• Steamed spinach and kale• Frozen soy ice cream with peach slicesNancy Berkoff is The Vegetarian Resource Group’s Food ServiceAdvisor. She is the author of Vegan in Volume, Vegan Mealsfor One or Two, Vegan Menu for People with Diabetes,Vegan Seafood: Beyond the Fish Shtick for Vegetarians,and numerous other cookbooks.VEGETARIAN JOURNAL Issue Two 2009 27