Aesthetically pleasing appearance makes soft meals a preferred choice among older adults and the society, exemplified by increased consumption and recent funding initiatives. Promotion emphasizes improved appetite and quality of life, but seldom “who” are suitable to consume soft meals and the realistic expected benefit. Safety of swallowing and potential risks need to be considered for soft meal consumers and may not provide the same apparent benefits in all aspects as assumed, based on our team’s published studies’ findings. By addressing the "why" behind soft meal consumption with the scientific evidence we have found, we endeavor to improve the overall well-being and quality of life for older adults with chewing and swallowing difficulties.