Patients
with specific health conditions will have special dietary needs. For example, gluten-free
diets are necessary in
patients with celiac disease. Patients who are unable to
tolerate milk or dairy products are likely lactose intolerant and may need to
use different products such as soy milk. Glucose-controlled diets are necessary for diabetic patients; these patients will also need to have regularly scheduled
mealtimes.
Patients often need dietary modifications to meet their special needs. Most diets can be modified for consistency, spices, fiber, caffeine, and caloric level. The following table reviews the most common therapeutic diets.
| Diet | Use | Description |
| DASH | Lowers blood pressure | Fresh fruits and vegetables, no alcohol, low
salt, high fiber |
| BRAT | Controls diarrhea | Bananas, rice, applesauce, and tea |
| Soft diet | Decreases strain on GI tract | No fresh or
raw fruits and vegetables, no strong spices, no gas-forming vegetables |
| Bland diet | Decreases GI irritation |
No caffeine, no alcohol, no pepper,
no chili, no nutmeg, no fried foods, no concentrated sweets |
| Low salt | Decreases blood pressure or water retention | Avoid processed foods (canned and
frozen); no added table salt; no cured meats like ham, bacon, or sausage;
minimal dairy products; avoid pickled items; avoid salty snacks |
| Low fat | Promotes heart health | Avoid saturated fats, pastries,
icings, butter and whole-milk products, and fatty cuts of meat; remove poultry
skins |
| Low cholesterol | Promotes heart health |
Avoid egg yolk, shrimp, organ meats, coconut and
palm oils, and lard; increase foods that elevate HDL (avocados, nuts, legumes,
canola oils) |
| Antioxidant | Prevents cancer | Dark green and yellow
vegetables, green tea, red wine, oregano, sesame, rosemary, thyme, and cloves |
| Vegan | Lifestyle | No animal products, all nutrients
from plant sources |
| Lacto-vegetarian | Lifestyle |
Plant sources of nutrition supplemented by dairy products |
| Lacto-ovo-vegetarian |
Lifestyle |
Plant sources of nutrition supplemented by dairy
products and eggs |
Metabolism is the production of energy from food; the body’s internal temperature is related to metabolism. Caloric intake requirements are dependent on many factors, including health status, age, activity level, and male or female sex. Women’s recommended caloric intake is usually 1,600–1,800 calories per day, and pregnancy requires approximately 300 calories more per day. Lactation requires approximately 800 calories more per day. Men’s recommended caloric intake is usually 1,800–2,000 calories per day.