There are a variety of reasons that chewing foods may be difficult. It might be due to a dental surgery (like a root canal or tooth extraction), or from an a broken jaw or facial bones that requires your jaw to be wired shut, and soreness after getting braces. In addition, cancer treatments or surgical procedures performed on the head and neck may also interfere with your ability to chew. Although chewing is not essential to maintaining a healthy or well-balanced diet, it can make it more difficult and less enjoyable to follow. However, with a little planning and food preparation, you'll still be able to eat a nutritious diet. Method 1 - Preparing for a Restricted Diet 1 → Talk to your doctor. Your doctor will be able to provide you with specific information regarding what restrictions you have with foods and what texture foods you need to consume (soft and mushy vs pureed liquids). Your doctor should also provide you with a timeline of how long you need to follow a modified diet.