Hi John. As long as you can get the calories in, don't panic about foods. Experimenting is good, and the best place to experiment is a buffet, where you can try small amounts of different things.

I found processed food easier to eat. Something like a hot dog, or KFC potato and gravy, tastes the same every time you've ever eaten one. It smells right, looks right, so sometimes your brain can override your taste buds and say no, this is not off its ok to eat.

When you say plow through breakfast, do you mean cereal? I was able to eat porridge ok, and it became a staple. But I wasn't eating any proteins, and became anaemic. Right now all calories are good calories, but be conscious of the overall nutrition picture.

The swallowing difficulties you describe are common and will improve over time. Keep a bottle of water with you all the time. You can try a lightly sparkling water too, that can help break up mucousy gunk in the mouth.