In the context of diet therapy, what is a primary goal of soft diets?

The primary goal of soft diets is to ease digestion. Soft diets consist of foods that are easy to chew and swallow, making them especially beneficial for individuals who may have chewing difficulties, gastrointestinal issues, or are recovering from surgery. The texture of the foods included in a soft diet typically allows for easier digestion and minimizes irritation to the digestive tract. This is particularly important for patients with conditions such as dysphagia, certain cancers, or after procedures like dental work, where eating might otherwise be painful or difficult.

Promoting weight gain, increasing fiber intake, and reducing calorie intake might be considerations in specific dietary plans, but they are not central goals of soft diets. The main focus remains on improving the ease of consumption and digestion for individuals with specific health challenges, making option B the most appropriate choice.