The Best Pureed Meals for Picky Eaters of 2024
Many people who have trouble chewing and swallowing eat pureed foods. Purees are easy on the gums and reduce the risk of choking, but they can be challenging to serve. Especially if your loved one is a picky eater or fussy about food.
To help you navigate mealtime if your loved one is a picky eater, we’ve created a round-up of the top pureed meals that appeal to picky eaters.
What Are Pureed Meals?
Pureeing is a cooking technique that converts solid food into a paste or mush. These foods are often recommended to people with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or missing teeth. Pureed meals are easy to chew and swallow, but many people find their texture unappealing. If your loved one has specific tastes, this can make mealtimes challenging.
Stocking your pantry with different purees can save you time and reduce stress. Plus, the items featured in this list are such crowd-pleasers you won’t have to worry about adding seasonings or condiments to improve the taste!
How We Chose the Products in This Round-Up
The pureed meals in this product round-up are a mix of our “best-selling” and “highest-rated” purees. Each entry includes real feedback with the heading: Hear it From a Caregiver/User.
The Best Pureed Meals for Picky Eaters
1) Thick & Easy Purees, Beef with Potatoes and Corn
Hormel’s take on the classic Sunday pot roast is one of our most popular pureed meals. Each serving contains 13 grams of protein and heats up in just 60 seconds.
Key Benefits & Features:
No refrigeration is required for storage
Convenient meal solution for people with swallowing difficulties
Delicious and flavorful
Caregiver Tip
After removing the puree from the microwave, let it sit for at least one minute. Then, mix it thoroughly before serving.
Hear it from a caregiver
“My husband is a picky eater and this is one of his favorite meals. It must taste good because he WON’T eat what he dislikes. It sure smells like roast beef to me. Makes him happy. I am happy!”
- Constance T.
Price: $39.95
2) Thick & Easy Purees, Turkey with Stuffing & Green Beans
Holiday foods are some of the least controversial. So, it’s no wonder many in our caregiving community recommend this roasted turkey with bread stuffing puree. A bite of Thanksgiving goodness will satisfy even the most fussy palate.
Key Benefits & Features:
Great flavor
Approved by children and adults alike
Easy to digest
Packed with nutrition
3) Thick & Easy Purees, Italian Beef Lasagna
Is your loved one a pasta fan? Then surprise them with this Italian-style lasagna puree from Hormel. It’s delicious, has a great texture, and makes for a filling lunch or dinner. Parents tell us this puree is particularly popular with children and teens. No more complaints at mealtime? Yes, please.
Key Benefits & Features:
Has a shelf life of 18 months
14 grams of protein per meal
Sold in a pack of seven, 7 oz. trays
Hear it from a caregiver
“I was a little skeptical about pureed pasta, but the aroma and taste are absolutely delicious! This one is my favorite.”
- Linda M.
Price: $39.83
4) Thick-It Puree, Sausage/Cheese Omelet
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Start your mornings right with a pureed omelet. This offering from Thick-It has the texture of an egg bake or frittata and has five servings per can.
Key Features & Benefits:
Ready to eat - just heat and serve
Five servings per can
Shelf-stable with a reliable consistency
Price: $9.92 - $106.63
5) Thick-It Puree, Chicken, a la King
Chicken a la King holds a storied spot in the hall of famous comfort foods. Though its origins are disputed (some chefs claim it was invented in France, while others say it originated in the United Kingdom), the recipe has always been a favorite. This Thick-It puree features diced chicken, cream sauce, and an assortment of mushrooms and vegetables.
Key Benefits & Features:
110 calories per can
Great taste
Reliable consistency
Proper nutrition with every serving
Hear it from a caregiver
“My husband likes this! Thick-It Puree Chicken a la King has become a staple of my husband's meals menu! He really likes it, and if it is good for him, it is good with me!”
- Margaret M.
Price: $9.12 - $95.98
6) Thick-It Puree Sweet Corn Flavor
Feeding vegetables to a picky eater is a lot like finding a needle in a haystack. Enter sweet corn puree. Many in our caregiving community say this puree is the one vegetable they can reliably count on, time and time again.
Key Benefits & Features:
Made with real sweet corn
Developed by a registered dietitian
Consistent texture and nutrition in every serving
Price: $6.85 - $49.95
Closing out our round-up of the best pureed meals for picky eaters is Thick-It’s beef stew puree. The stew is consistent with refried beans and comes ready to serve. Simply open the can, pour the stew into a microwave-safe container, and heat for 60 seconds. The mushy texture is very easy to swallow, reducing the risk of choking and aspiration.
Key Benefits & Features:
Texture meets Level 4 guidelines for dysphagia diet standards (IDDSI)
Made with real simmered beef and vegetables
Designed to be smooth and easy to swallow
Hear it from a caregiver
“The picky eater loves this stew. Going to have to have more, and that’s okay with me, as he continues to enjoy these nutritious, tasty meals that are ready in 60 seconds.”
-Bev A.
Price: $9.56 - $86.99
Commonly Asked Questions
1) How Are Pre-Prepared Pureed Meals Made?
Pre-prepared pureed meals are made in a commercial kitchen. During manufacturing, solid food is blended into a mushy, mashed potato-like consistency. Liquids bind to the food pulp during the pureeing process, making it easier to swallow.
2) How Do I Prepare a Pureed Meal?
All of the pre-prepared pureed meals in this round-up come ready to serve. Some of the meals come in microwave-safe containers, while others are packaged in aluminum cans. Read and follow the instructions on the label.
3) Can I Add Spices to Pureed Meals?
Many people add fresh spices or condiments to their pureed meals to enhance the flavor. Everyone has unique dietary needs, so talk with your loved one’s doctor before making any drastic changes to their meals.
Takeaways
Picky eaters and purees don’t always mix, but the meals featured in this list are proven favorites, as rated by family caregivers. Getting your loved one the nutrition they need while reducing the risk of aspiration (food going down the wrong pipe) or choking is your top priority. With these delicious purees, it doesn’t have to be an uphill battle.
Have Questions?
Need help choosing pureed food? Our Care Specialists are standing by and ready to assist. Call (800) 696-CARE or email support@carewell.com anytime, and one of our specialists will be happy to help guide you.
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Read More >Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.