FST 108- Types of 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 are normally prescribed by a physician and planned by a dietician. 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. Therapeutic diets are modified for (1) nutrients, (2) texture, and/or (3) food allergies or food intolerances. Common reasons therapeutic diets may be ordered: • To maintain nutritional status • To restore nutritional status • To correct nutritional status • To decrease calories for weight control • To provide extra calories for weight gain • To balance amounts of carbohydrates, fat and protein for control of diabetes • To provide a greater amount of a nutrient such as protein • To decrease the amount of a nutrient such as sodium • To exclude foods due to allergies or food intolerance • To provide texture modifications due to problems with chewing and/or swallowing