My dad needed a soft diet because he had trouble swallowing. He never chewed his food like he should've. When I was up north a few years back I fixed him some refried beans (non-fat) out of a can, the brand with the dog. I browned up some ground beef and added it to the the refried beans. Also rice on the side if he wanted. Fixed up some toast with a little garlic butter. He cleaned it up. We had leftovers so for breakfast I asked him if he wanted oatmeal but he wanted the leftovers and some scrambled eggs with it and toast. He had everything he needed and wanted my stepmother to fix it a couple times a week. He had a little more energy and wasn't going hungry. Dad had what they called a weak epiglottis which would make him choke when he ate solids. he was getting afraid to eat more solid foods.