1. Let’s Talk About Therapeutic Diets

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Therapeutic Diets
Modification of normal diet used to improve specific health condition
Normally prescribed by physician
and planned by dietitian
May change nutrients, caloric content, and/or texture
May seem strange and even unpleasant to patient
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3. Regular or Standard Diet
Balanced diet
Usually used for ambulatory patients
May have slight calorie reduction
Decreased or omitted: rich desserts, cream sauces, salad dressings, and fried foods
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Liquid Diet
2 types: Clear Liquids and Full Liquids
Clear: carbohydrates and water (broths, jello, fruit juices without pulp)
Full: clear liquids plus other liquid items (cream soups, milk, basically anything “drinkable”)
Uses – after surgery, acute infections, digestive problems, to replace lost fluids, and in preparation for X-rays of the digestive tract
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Soft Diet
Similar to a regular diet, but foods require little chewing and are easy to digest
Avoid meat, shellfish, coarse cereals, spicy foods, rich desserts, fried foods, raw vegetables and fruits, and nuts and coconut
Uses – after surgery, patients with infections, digestive disorders, and chewing problems
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Diabetic Diet
Used for patients with diabetes mellitus
Exchange lists, in which foods are grouped according to nutrients, are used to help pts choose foods
Avoid sugar-heavy foods
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7. Calorie-Controlled Diet
Low-calorie – used for patients who are overweight; avoid or limit high-calorie foods
High-calorie – used for patients who are underweight, have anorexia nervosa, hyperthyroidism, or cancer
Extra protein and carbohydrates are added
Avoid high-bulk foods
Avoid high-fat foods
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Low-Cholesterol Diet
Restricts foods containing cholesterol
Used for patients with atherosclerosis and heart disease
Limit foods high in saturated fats
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Fat-Restricted Diet
Also called low-fat diet
Used for patients with gallbladder and liver disease, obesity, and certain heart diseases
Avoid foods high in fat
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10. Sodium-Restricted Diet
Also called low-sodium or low-salt diets
Used for cardiovascular diseases
Avoid or limit addition of salt; avoid salt-rich foods
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Protein Diet
Protein-rich foods: meats, fish, milk, cheese, and eggs
High-protein needed for children and adolescents for additional growth, pregnant or lactating women, surgery, burns, fevers, or infections
Low-protein needed for certain kidney or renal diseases and certain allergic conditions
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Bland Diet
Easily digested foods that do not irritate the digestive tract
Used for patients with ulcers, colitis, and other digestive diseases
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Low-Residue Diet
Eliminate or limit foods high in bulk and fiber
Used for patients with digestive or rectal diseases such as colitis or diarrhea
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14. Other Therapeutic Diets
Other diets may be ordered that restrict or increase certain nutrients
Check prescribed diet and ask questions if foods seem incorrect
Try to include patient’s likes, if those foods are allowed on diet
If patient will not eat the foods on diet, the diet will not contribute to good nutrition
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