IN SERVICE: FOOD CONSISTENCY FOR THE THERAPEUTIC DIET Mary White Lindsay Wexler

IN SERVICE: FOOD CONSISTENCY FOR THE THERAPEUTIC DIET Mary White Lindsay Wexler

Outline What is a therapeutic diet? What is food consistency? Types of food consistency Who needs it and why is it important? Diet prep. And equipment needed

What is a therapeutic diet? Therapeutic Diet: Designed by a dietitian to meet a patient s specific needs, used to maintain health or modified to accommodate changes in digestion, absorption, or organ function ( Nelms p150). Food consistency: Aka Texture modifications. Includes oral diets from Regular, no modifications, to clear liquid.

Food Consistency Diets: Regular Chopped Mechanical soft Soft diet (GI) Pureed Full Liquid Clear Liquid Thickened Liquid

Regular Diet Excludes only very rich foods that may be difficult for inactive people to digest such as: pastries heavy cakes fried foods highly seasoned foods Has a lower caloric count

Chopped Diet Foods that are cut into pieces ½ inch or smaller. Often used when the patient can move food from side to side in their mouth Examples casseroles, soft cheese cubes, chicken/egg salad, chopped pastas or salads, grated carrots, small fruit pieces.

Chopped Diet Equipment needed: Sharp knife Cutting board Food processor Regular diet is chopped into roughly 1/2 cubes Cook more tough food until soft

Mechanical Soft Purpose: This diet is designed to minimize the amount of chewing necessary for the ingestion of food. Similar to soft diet, but it is used for individuals who have difficulty in chewing and or swallowing who can tolerate foods of a more solid texture than a pureed or blended diet.

Mechanical Soft Diet The foods recommended on this diet are blended, chopped, ground, or pureed and prepared with added liquids to make them easier for you to eat. Unlike soft diet: does not restrict fat, fiber, spices or seasonings.

Preparing Soft/Mechanical Soft Foods may be softened by cooking or mashing or blenderizing. Canned or soft-cooked fruits and vegetables may be used in place of raw or dried varieties. Refined breads and cereals are usually recommended over whole-grain types. Moist, tender meats, fish, and poultry are permitted

Question! Which of these would be allowed in a mechanical soft diet?

Soft Diet (GI) This diet includes foods that are low in fiber and soft in texture. Low in fiber residue, easily digested, and well tolerated. It is commonly recommended for people who have gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances.

Soft Diet (GI) Can give: milk, lean meats, fish, most forms of potatoes and white breads. Avoid: most raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, coarse breads and cereals are avoided.

Soft (GI) Sample Menu Item: Roasted Mushroom and Lentil Cakes Ingredients ½ cup dried red lentils 2 cups chestnut mushrooms/crimini mushrooms, sliced 2/3 cup walnuts, chopped 1 medium onion, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon mixed herbs/italian seasoning

Pureed Diet This diet is for anyone having difficulty chewing or swallowing that can not safely consume a Mechanical soft diet. Patient A: What is your condition and what can you eat?

Pureed diet Equipment needed: Food processor or blender Regular diet is blended with liquid (water, milk, gravy).

Full Liquid Diet Full liquid provides more nourishment than clear liquid Often a step between clear liquid and regular diet Used for: Patient s with acute infections Patient s with difficulty chewing Certain disease s of digestive tract

Full Liquid Diet Includes all clear liquids plus: strained cereal/soup milk, eggnog, cream, yogurt, malt, sherbet/ice cream (plain) solids that are liquid at room temperature

Thickened Liquid Diet Thickening agents are added to liquids to prevent aspiration in patients with dysphasia Can be added to any liquids from water to broth

Thickened Liquid Diet Variations include: Thin Thickened Nectar like Honey like Spoon thick

Clear Liquid Diet This diet is for patients going into or recovering from surgery. Given every two-four hrs Can see through the liquids Do not irritate the bowel or cause gas and are easily absorbed. Does not leave residue in intestinal tract: usually prescribed in surgery prep and immediately after surgery, but still provides water and carbohydrates

Clear Liquid Foods allowed include: tea, coffee, with sugar, but no cream clear, strained, fruit/veggie. juices meat broths, fat free ginger ale, 7up, Coke gelatin

Clear liquid Diet Patient B: What is your condition? And what can you eat?

References Marcia Nelms, et al. Nutrition Therapy and Pathophysiology 2006 1 st Ed. http://www.healthdiets.net/healthsearch/therapeuticdiet.htm http://www.dietsite.com/dt/diets/texturedaltered/ MechanicalSoftDiet.asp http://gicare.com/diets/soft-and-mechanical-soft- Diet.aspx http://www.dietsite.com/dt/diets/texturedaltered/ MechanicalSoftDiet.asp