A therapeutic diet is a planned, modified diet prescribed to help treat or manage a medical conditions.
Objectives of a Therapeutic diet
- Maintain or improve nutritional status
- Support treatment and recovery
- Reduce disease-related symptoms
- Prevent complications
- Promote overall health and healing
Types of therapeutic diet
- Based on consistency
- Clear liquid diet - water,coconut water,c;ear soup ( post-surgery,fever)
- Full liquid diet - milk,curd,dal water
- Soft diet - khichdi,mashed vegetables
- Normal diet - regular balanced diet
2. Based on nutrient modification
Energy modification
- High calorie diet - underweight ,TB,cancer
- Low calorie diet - obesity,PCOS
Protein modification
- High-protein diet - burns,wounds,post-surgery
- Low protein diet - CKD,hepatic encephalopathy
Fat modification
- Low fat diet - gall bladder disease,pancreatitis
- Modified fat (MUFA/PUFA) - cardiac patients
Carbohydrates modification
- Diabetic diet - controlled carbohydrates, low GI foods
3. Disease-specific therapeutic diet
Disease Therapeutic diet
Diabetes mellitus Diabetic diet
Hypertension Low salt diet
Cardiac disease Cardiac diet
Renal disease Renal diet
Liver disease Hepatic diet
GI disorders Bland diet
Anemia Iron rich diet
Cancer High protein,high calorie diet
General principles
- Balanced and adequate
- Easy to digest
- Culturally acceptable
- Economical and practical
Example
Cardiac patient therapeutic diet
- Low salt
- Low saturated fat
- High fiber
- Adequate protein
- Plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Nourish notes by Nikita
