6.1.6 Diet Requirements for Specific Physical concerns

Persons you assist may or may not be on special diets for a disease or illness, but they may need a special diet based on their body’s ability to consume and process nutrients. Clients who have physical limitations eating or metabolic or digestive difficulties may need food to be processed or manufactured specifically to promote effective digestion.

Tube feedings are commonly provided for clients that are unable to eat, but require nutrients to sustain health. The feeding tube is placed in the stomach or intestines for absorption. A machine sends the food into a tube to drip into their body.

Aside from this alternative delivery method, there are also various diets that are prescribed for different physical conditions:

• Clear liquid diet. Foods that are liquid at body temperature, and most things that are liquid and you can see through at body temperature. Used preoperatively, postoperatively, for acute illnesses, and infections causing nausea.
• Full-liquid diet. Foods that are liquid at room temperature or that melt at body temperature (gelatin, soups, sherbet, yogurt, etc.). This diet is prescribed postoperatively, for nausea and vomiting, and for clients unable to swallow or digest solid foods.
• Mechanical soft diet. Semi-solid foods, those known to be easily digested (like eggs, cottage cheese, oatmeal, and ground meats with liquid). This diet is used for clients with chewing issues, intestinal issues and infections.
• Fibre restricted diet. Food that leaves little residue in the colon. There are no raw fruits and vegetables, and limited amounts of meats. This diet is used for diseases of the colon.
• High fibre diet. Food that leaves high residue in the colon, including raw vegetables and fruits, meats, grains and fried food. This diet is used for intestinal disorders.