Puree
Texture description
- Smooth
- Without any lumps
- Holds its shape on a spoon
- Falls off fairly easily if the spoon is tilted
Skills required to manage
- Purees are usually eaten with a spoon
- The ability to chew is not required
Mashed
Texture description
- Soft and moist
- Thicker, more textured than puree
- May be lumpy or chunky
- May be scooped on a fork without liquid dripping or crumbs falling
Skills required to manage
- Minimal chewing or mashing is required
- Lumps can be easily mashed with the tongue before swallowing
- The ability to bite off a piece is not necessary
Soft and Bite-sized
Texture description
- Soft, tender, and moist
- Without liquid dripping from the food
- Can be mashed with fork or fingers
- A knife is not required to cut this food
Skills required to manage
- The ability to chew pieces so they are safe to swallow is required
- The ability to bite off a piece is not necessary
Regular Foods
Texture description
- Normal, everyday foods of various textures that are appropriate for the child's development
- Includes foods that are more difficult to chew, like meats
- Includes foods with multiple textures, such as chunky soups
Skills required to manage
- Requires the ability to bite off pieces
- Requires the ability to chew hard and soft foods without tiring easily