The different types of diets encompass a person’s eating habits. Although the word “diet” is often associated with eating patterns for weight loss or gain, in healthcare, there are many types of diets depending on each individual’s situation.
Understanding these differences becomes especially relevant when referring to patients, whether in the hospital or at home, since their medical condition may require special dietary considerations.
What is a diet?
The concept of diet is often mistakenly associated with food restriction, but it refers to the total sum of foods consumed throughout the day.
By regularly and carefully controlling the type and amount of food consumed, the body can benefit in multiple ways.
Concept of diet
Today, there are countless types of diets, but the appropriate approach is to seek guidance from a nutritionist or dietitian to achieve specific goals. These may range from simply maintaining a healthier lifestyle to following a therapeutic diet due to illness or physical limitation.
When creating a hospital diet, it is essential to understand the patient’s psychological and physical needs, as well as the underlying condition. This often leads to restrictions on certain foods.
Balanced diet
There are different types of diets that a patient or a person with a medical condition may follow. Some of the most common include:
- Clear liquid diet: Based on transparent or translucent liquids, as well as foods that become liquid at room temperature. It provides fluids, electrolytes, and easily digestible energy with minimal intestinal residue until the patient can tolerate solid food.
- Full liquid diet: Provides liquids, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. It is commonly used during the postoperative period or as a transitional diet between clear liquids and soft or regular diets.
- Pureed diet: Foods are cooked and blended into a smooth consistency to facilitate digestion.
- Low-sodium diet: Controls sodium intake to maintain optimal hydration and prevent fluid retention.
- Regular diet: The conventional diet without marked restrictions, including foods from all food groups.
- Diabetic diet: Recommended for patients with diabetes or carbohydrate intolerance. The goal is to regulate blood glucose levels.
- Soft diets: Designed for patients recovering from gastrointestinal conditions, postoperative states, or those who have difficulty chewing or swallowing.
Healthy Eating Plate
The Healthy Eating Plate focuses on classifying foods into three groups based on the body’s nutritional needs. Each group is just as important as the others:
- Green group: fruits and vegetables
- Yellow group: different types of cereals and grains.
- Red group: legumes and animal-based foods
Seek guidance from a specialist to discover the diet that suits you best and supports optimal nutrition.
At ABC Medical Center’s Nutrition and Obesity Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes:
Sanitas, Medline Plus, Cigna
