Leena Watts
There are many reasons why someone might adopt a special diet. Some people have food allergies or intolerances, while others might have dietary requirements for religious reasons, or because they are pregnant. Some diets are medically prescribed, such as the cardiac diet, which is low in fat and salt, or the renal diet, which limits potassium, salt, phosphorus, protein and sometimes fluid. Other special diets are adopted by choice, such as the paleo diet, which eliminates processed foods and grains, or the vegan diet, which is based on the premise of changing one's overall eating habits by balancing out one's everyday diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Lose weight, look better, achieve a healthier life, treat medical conditions |
| Dietary restrictions | Carbohydrates, fat, salt, sugar, meat, gluten, dairy, lactose, protein, sodium, caffeine, cholesterol, saturated fat, etc. |
| Food choices | Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, peas, eggs, fish, lean meats, seeds, herbs, juices, tea, lemonade, tofu, turkey, soy, seafood, etc. |
| Food preparation | Raw, cooked, pureed, liquid, soft, ground, mashed, chopped, grilled, fried, baked, cured, smoked, canned, etc. |
| Special requirements | Vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal, pregnancy, allergies, diabetes, cardiac conditions, renal conditions, hypertension, etc. |
| Popularity | Fad diets, crash diets, weight-loss diets, detox diets, medically prescribed diets, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Diets for medical conditions: e.g. diabetes, renal issues, hypertension, epilepsy
There are a variety of diets that are recommended for those with medical conditions. These diets are tailored to the individual's needs and can vary in intensity and specifics, depending on the progression and severity of the condition. Here is some information on diets for diabetes, renal issues, hypertension, and epilepsy.
Diabetes
Diabetic diets can vary from patient to patient, depending on the type and severity of the diabetes, as well as individual nutrient needs and personal history. The core principle involves carefully controlling carbohydrate servings, as carbohydrates turn into glucose which affects blood sugar levels. The Exchange List for Meal Planning establishes the recommended serving size of carbohydrates per meal based on calorie needs. Small snacks may be included, and meals can be regular, but with controlled portions. Carbohydrates to consider include starches, starchy vegetables, juice, fruit, milk, and sugars.
Renal Issues
Those with kidney disease or Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) often require a carefully planned renal diet with special consideration for nutrient intake. As kidney function decreases, diets may need adjustments, and a doctor may recommend restricting protein intake from certain foods like potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, and bananas. A renal diet may help slow down the progression of renal dysfunction. Working with a dietitian is essential to maintain kidney health while enjoying the foods you eat. People with CKD should also monitor their phosphorus, potassium, and sodium intake. Phosphorus is often added to packaged foods and can cause bone and joint pain and itchy skin if consumed in high quantities.
Hypertension
For patients with hypertension, or high blood pressure, a sodium-controlled diet is usually prescribed. This involves limiting commercially prepared foods, such as smoked meats, canned vegetables, regular soups, buttermilk, salt, and other salty foods. Instead, it is recommended to cook from scratch to control sodium intake.
Epilepsy
For children and adults with epilepsy, dietary therapies can be used alongside medication to help control seizures. High-fat and low-carb diets, such as the keto and modified Atkins diets, are recommended for managing epilepsy.
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Fad diets: e.g. Cabbage Soup Diet, Grapefruit Diet, Beverly Hills Diet
Fad diets are short-term, weight-loss plans that are often nutritionally deficient and not sustainable in the long term. Fad diets are typically characterised by strict rules around food consumption and are usually not backed by scientific evidence. Here is an overview of three popular fad diets: the Cabbage Soup Diet, the Grapefruit Diet, and the Beverly Hills Diet.
Cabbage Soup Diet
The Cabbage Soup Diet is a weight-loss plan that involves consuming primarily cabbage soup for a set period, typically seven days. The soup often includes other ingredients such as tomatoes, celery, and onion, and some variations include meat or fruit. While some people find this diet enjoyable, it can be boring and challenging to stick to due to its restrictive nature.
Grapefruit Diet
The Grapefruit Diet has been around since the 1930s and has various versions. Most involve eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice before or with every meal, claiming that it contains enzymes that burn fat. Some versions also recommend combining grapefruit with high-fat, high-cholesterol foods like bacon and salad, while others suggest curbing carbohydrates. The diet typically lasts 10-12 days and can lead to weight loss, but this is likely due to the overall reduction in calorie intake.
Beverly Hills Diet
The Beverly Hills Diet, created by Judy Mazel, involves retraining your digestive system with a strict fruit-based diet for 35 days, followed by specific rules about combining carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The diet claims that you can eat whatever you want, as long as you don't eat certain foods together. For example, butter-drenched lobster and fresh-baked rolls can be eaten, but not at the same meal. While this diet may lead to short-term weight loss, it is not backed by scientific evidence and is likely challenging to maintain due to its restrictive nature.
It is important to note that fad diets are generally not recommended for long-term weight loss or health maintenance. They often lack essential nutrients, can be difficult to adhere to, and may lead to an unhealthy relationship with food. Before starting any diet, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to ensure it is safe and suitable for your individual needs.
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Religious diets: e.g. Kosher, Halal
Religious diets are those that adhere to the dietary laws of a particular religion. Two of the most well-known religious diets are kosher and halal, which are based on Jewish and Islamic laws, respectively.
Kosher Diet
The word "kosher" comes from the Hebrew word meaning "fit", "proper", or "correct". Kosher food complies with Jewish religious dietary law, also known as kashrut. There are three categories of kosher foods: meat, dairy, and pareve. Pareve refers to ingredients without meat or dairy. Meat and dairy cannot be consumed together, and utensils and cooking equipment used to prepare them must be kept separate.
Kosher diets also limit certain food pairings and restrict specific foods, including pork, shellfish, and certain animal parts, such as the sciatic nerve and adjoining blood vessels. Meat must be butchered by a shochet, a person trained in slaughtering animals according to Jewish law.
Halal Diet
Halal foods are those that are lawful and permitted under Islamic law, as defined by the Quran. Muslims are not allowed to consume haram, or forbidden, foods and beverages. Halal diets restrict alcohol, pork, foods containing blood, and meat from certain types of animals, such as predatory birds.
While kosher diets have rules about food pairings, halal diets do not. However, both diets have strict guidelines for how meat should be slaughtered before consumption.
Other Religious Diets
In addition to kosher and halal diets, other religious diets include those followed by Hindus, who may avoid beef, and Buddhists, who may be vegetarian or vegan. Religious diets are an important consideration for food service managers, especially in multicultural societies, to ensure they can cater to a diverse range of guests.
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Ethical diets: e.g. Vegetarian, Vegan, Locavore
Ethical diets are those that are chosen for reasons relating to personal values and beliefs. These include vegetarian, vegan, and locavore diets.
Vegetarian and vegan diets are both centred around the idea of not consuming animal products. Vegetarians do not eat the flesh of animals, such as meat, poultry, and fish, but they may still consume animal products like dairy and eggs. Vegans, on the other hand, adhere to a stricter diet, refraining from all animal products, including those derived from animals, such as honey, and even materials like wool and leather. Some people choose veganism for health reasons, as a plant-based diet is associated with a lower risk of certain diseases. However, for others, it is an ethical choice, stemming from a desire to protect animals and the environment. The vegan diet can be adapted to suit various health outcomes and personal preferences, such as the raw vegan diet, which consists of uncooked plant foods, and the vegan keto diet, which is a low-carb, high-fat, and moderate-protein approach.
Locavores are individuals who primarily consume locally grown and prepared food. The underlying idea is to eat as locally as possible, usually within a 100-mile radius of one's home. Locavores aim to source their food from nearby farmers' markets, local farms, and independently owned stores that sell sustainably produced goods. This movement is flexible, allowing anyone to participate regardless of their specific diet, be it vegetarian, vegan, or otherwise. The primary focus is on the location of the food source rather than the food itself, and locavores may still need to source certain basic items, like wheat flour, nuts, and sugar, from further afield.
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Allergy diets: e.g. gluten-free, dairy-free, lactose-free
Allergy diets are special diets that are modified to exclude certain allergens. Food allergies occur when the body's immune system identifies certain foods as harmful and reacts to them. Allergy diets are an effective way to manage and prevent allergic reactions. Here, we will focus on gluten-free, dairy-free, and lactose-free diets, which are common allergy diets.
Gluten-free diets exclude gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and their derivatives. People with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance follow this diet to prevent symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhoea. Gluten-free alternatives, such as gluten-free bread, pasta, and baked goods, are widely available.
Dairy-free diets exclude all or most dairy products, including milk and any foods made with milk, such as cheese, yoghurt, butter, and cream. This diet is beneficial for those with lactose intolerance, milk allergies, or ethical concerns about the dairy industry. Dairy-free diets can be challenging due to the prevalence of dairy in many foods, but with proper planning and nutritional substitutions, they can be healthy and safe to follow indefinitely.
A lactose-free diet is similar to a dairy-free diet but focuses specifically on lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. People with lactose intolerance are unable to digest lactose due to a lack of the enzyme lactase. A lactose-free diet eliminates or restricts lactose by excluding dairy and checking labels for hidden sources of lactose in prepared foods, such as baked goods, candies, and processed meats.
It is important to note that a vegan diet, which excludes all animal products, is not the same as a dairy-free diet, although they have similarities. A vegan diet may be dairy-free, but a dairy-free diet may still include animal products like meat, eggs, and fish.
Allergy diets, such as gluten-free, dairy-free, and lactose-free diets, require careful planning and label reading to ensure the exclusion of specific allergens. These diets can help manage allergies and intolerances, providing relief from symptoms and improving overall health and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Some special diets are prescribed for medical reasons. For example, a renal diet is often adjusted as kidney disease progresses and may help slow down renal dysfunction. A diabetic diet is a low-fat, low-carbohydrate, and low-protein diet that varies based on the patient's age, size, activity level, and calorie level. A cardiac diet is also low in fat and salt, with less than 30% of calories coming from fat.
Fad diets are short-term, weight-loss plans that involve drastic changes to a person's normal eating habits. Examples include the Beverly Hills Diet, the Cabbage Soup Diet, the Grapefruit Diet, and the Monotrophic Diet. Fad diets are often considered unhealthy and can pose significant health risks.
Some people follow special diets due to dietary restrictions, such as food allergies and intolerances. Common restrictions include gluten-free, dairy-free/lactose-free, and vegetarian/vegan diets. Kosher and halal diets are special diets that comply with religious dietary laws.
Popular diets for weight loss or health reasons include the Keto/Ketogenic diet, the Paleo diet, the Mediterranean diet, and the DASH diet. These diets often involve reducing carbohydrate and fat intake and increasing consumption of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins.
