Therapeutic Diets

1. Therapeutic Diets

A therapeutic diet is a meal plan that controls the intake of certain foods or nutrients. It is part of the treatment of a medical condition and is normally prescribed by a physician and planned by a registered dietitian. A therapeutic diet is usually a modification of a regular diet. It is modified or tailored to fit the nutrition needs of a particular person.

did you know

In 2015–2018, 17.1% of U.S. adults aged 20 and over were on a special diet on a given day. More women were on a special diet than men, and more adults aged 40–59 and 60 and over were on a special diet than adults aged 20–39. To help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, support nutrient adequacy, and reduce the risk of chronic disease, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend following a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan.

Therapeutic diets are modified for (1) nutrients, (2) texture, and/or (3) food allergies or food intolerances. In a hospital or clinical setting there are several types of specialized or therapeutic diets.

term to know

Therapeutic Diet

A meal plan that controls the intake of certain foods or nutrients.

1a. Regular Diet

The regular diet can also be referred to as a general or normal diet. Its purpose is to provide a well-balanced diet and ensure that individuals who do not require dietary modifications receive adequate nutrition. This diet is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and incorporates a wide variety of foods and adequate caloric intake.

1b. Mechanical Soft Diet

The mechanical soft diet consists of foods soft in texture, moderately low in fiber, and processed by chopping, grinding or pureeing to be easier to chew. This diet is appropriate for people who have difficulty chewing or swallowing and have been evaluated by a registered dietitian and speech language pathologist. Most milk products, tender meats, mashed potatoes, tender vegetables, and fruits and their juices are included in the diet.

1c. Clear Liquid Diet

This is a short-term diet that provides clear liquids to supply fluid and calories without residue. It is often used with acute illness, before and after surgery, or other procedures. The clear liquid diet includes coffee, tea, clear juices, gelatin and clear broth.

1d. Full Liquid Diet

As a transition between clear liquid and a soft or regular diet, this plan provides easily tolerated foods. Patients in the hospital who are transitioning from a clear liquid diet to another diet would need this temporarily. The diet includes milk, strained and creamed soups, grits, creamed cereal, and fruit and vegetable juices.

1e. Low Residue/Low Fiber Diet

This type of diet tries to limit fiber and is designed to minimize the frequency and volume of residue in the intestinal tract. This diet is appropriate for patients who are experiencing gastrointestinal difficulties or those who have certain gastrointestinal diseases.

1f. Salt-Restricted (Low Sodium) Diet

Sodium controlled diets are usually prescribed for patients with hypertension and for those with excess fluid accumulation (edema) or heart disease. Intake of commercially prepared foods, such as cured or smoked meats, canned vegetables and regular soups as well as buttermilk, salt, and salty foods, are limited or avoided.

1g. Fat-Restricted Diet

This diet is often prescribed for patients with gastrointestinal disorders or obesity. It limits the intake of fatty food, such as margarine, mayonnaise, dressings, oils and gravies.

1h. Cholesterol-Restricted Diet

Lowering blood cholesterol can reduce your risk of heart disease so this diet is common for people who have a history of high cholesterol, high triglycerides, or heart disease. Certain oats, beans, and fruits are effective at lowering cholesterol levels in the body, so a cholesterol-restricted diet limits the intake of meats, poultry, fried foods, egg yolks, and whole milk products.

1i. Consistent Carbohydrate (Diabetic Diet)

A diabetic diet is developed depending on the type and intensity of the individual person’s diabetes, their personal history, and individual nutrient needs. Meals are similar to those found on a regular menu, but carbohydrate servings are carefully controlled and small snacks may be included in the meal plan.

1j. Renal Diet

A renal diet is carefully planned with special consideration of nutrients that are important to your kidneys. Patients who are on dialysis will have a different diet plan than those who are not on dialysis. Transplant patients may also have different needs. If dialysis treatments are not used, the intake of foods such as potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, and bananas may be restricted.

1k. Gluten-Free Diet

A gluten-free diet is an eating plan that excludes foods containing gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye). A gluten-free diet is essential for people managing signs and symptoms of celiac disease and other medical conditions associated with gluten.

key concept

A special or therapeutic diet may be a diet to lose weight or one aimed at improving health, such as a lower-carbohydrate diet for someone with diabetes or avoiding gluten for someone who has Celiac disease. Generally, diets do not lead to long-term weight loss success because they don't produce sustainable behavior changes. Before you think about using a strict or specialized diet, take a look at your overall eating patterns. What kind of foods are you eating regularly? Do you follow the Dietary Guidelines for meal planning? Do you eat enough fruits and vegetables? Remember, these therapeutic diets are not intended for weight loss and should be used only under supervision of a healthcare professional, including a registered dietitian.

REFERENCES

Therapeutic Diet Guidelines. Policies | Washington State Department of Corrections. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2022, from www.doc.wa.gov/information/policies/default.aspx

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, December 11). The good news is that you don't have to go grain-free. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 11, 2022, from www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gluten-free-diet/art-20048530

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, November 3). Products - data briefs - number 389 - November 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 11, 2022, from www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db389.htm