mijava’s Updated Guidelines for Healthcare Therapeutic Diets

A therapeutic diet is a specific meal plan that controls the intake of certain foods and/or certain nutrients.

A therapeutic diet is used as part of the treatment for certain medical conditions.

A therapeutic diet is usually a modification of the regular diet.

In healthcare facilities, guidelines for therapeutic diets are required to facilitate menu planning and food production. The guidelines also improve communication between those involved in resident care – including food service staff, Dietitians, nurses and physicians.

Here at mijava, we recently updated our therapeutic diet guidelines. The following is a brief description of some of our diet types and guidelines.

Modified Diabetic Diets – carbohydrate intake is controlled to help control blood sugar levels; calorie intake may also be controlled to help control weight

Renal Diets – sodium, potassium and protein intake are controlled to help manage kidney disease; a renal diet may also be combined with a modified diabetic diet when needed

Low Lactose – the diet minimizes lactose intake to help manage symptoms of lactose intolerance

Reduced Fat – total fat intake is limited to about 50 g or less per day to help manage fat malabsorption or intolerance, pancreatitis or gallbladder disease. The diet is also reduced in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol.

Dental Soft – provides food of a consistency that is soft and easy to chew – or requires minimal chewing – to reduce the risk of aspiration, for those with mild chewing issues, dry mouth, sore mouth, or some forms of dysphagia

Minced Texture – provides food of a consistency that requires very little to no chewing to reduce the risk of aspiration, for those with mild to moderate chewing issues, dry mouth, sore mouth, or some forms of dysphasia

Puréed Texture – provides food which does not require chewing and is easy to swallow to help reduce the risk of aspiration, for those with severe chewing and swallowing issues