Exploring Special Diets: From Vegan To Gluten-Free And Beyond

There are many reasons for a specialised diet and they differ from person to person. Some of the more common ones include: food allergies and intolerances (such as dairy, nuts, gluten, fish and shellfish allergies), special dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan and pregnancy), and religious reasons (halal).

Food allergies and intolerances

Gluten-free diets are a result of allergy or intolerance to gluten, which can cause upset to the digestive system.

It is important to note that food allergies and intolerances can vary widely in terms of symptoms and severity. Some people may experience mild symptoms such as rashes or hives, while others may suffer from more severe reactions such as anaphylaxis.

In addition to avoiding trigger foods, people with food allergies and intolerances may also need to read food labels carefully to identify any hidden sources of the allergen. They may also need to communicate their dietary restrictions to others, such as restaurant staff or friends and family, to ensure safe and healthy eating habits.

Special dietary requirements

There are many reasons for a specialised diet and they differ from person to person. Some of the more common ones include:

• Food allergies and intolerances — such as dairy, nuts, gluten, fish and shellfish allergies.
• Special dietary requirements — vegetarian, vegan and pregnancy.
• Religious reasons — halal.

Consumers today are increasingly experimenting and engaging in a variety of special food lifestyles and diet choices. Some of these include keto, paleo, gluten free and vegan.

Celiac/gluten free is due to an allergy or intolerance to gluten which can cause upset to the digestive system.

The mechanical soft diet consists of foods soft in texture, moderately low in fiber, and processed by chopping, grinding or pureeing to be easier to chew. Most milk products, tender meats, mashed potatoes, tender vegetables and fruits and their juices are included in the diet. However, most raw fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts and dried fruits are excluded.

The scrambled eggs diet can serve as a transition between a full liquid and a regular diet by providing foods low in fiber and soft in texture. Most raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, coarse breads and cereals are avoided. Milk, lean meats, fish, most forms of potatoes and white breads are served on this diet plan. This type of diet tries to limit fiber, a kind of carbohydrate found in some plant-derived foods. The diet limits intake around ten grams of fiber daily and is designed to minimise the frequency and volume of residue in the intestinal tract.

Religious reasons

Halal is a term used to describe food that is prepared and consumed according to the Islamic law (Sharia). Halal food is clean and pure and meets the requirements of Islamic dietary practice. Halal food is permitted under Islamic law and is prepared and handled in a way that avoids any contact with pork, blood, meat that has not been drained of blood, and any animal that has not been slaughtered in the name of Allah.

Halal food is prepared and handled in a way that avoids any contact with pork, blood, meat that has not been drained of blood, and any animal that has not been slaughtered in the name of Allah.

Halal food is prepared and handled in a way that avoids any contact with pork, blood, meat that has not been drained of blood, and any animal that has not been slaughtered in the name of Allah.

Keto, paleo, gluten-free, vegan

There are many reasons for a specialised diet and they differ from person to person. Some of the more common ones include:

• Food allergies and intolerances — such as dairy, nuts, gluten, fish and shellfish allergies
• Special dietary requirements — vegetarian, vegan and pregnancy
• Religious reasons — halal

Keto

The keto diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. The diet is low in carbohydrates and high in fats, which forces the body to burn fats instead of carbohydrates for energy. This process is called ketosis. The keto diet is used to treat type 2 diabetes, obesity, epilepsy, and other diseases.

Paleo

The paleo diet, also known as the caveman diet, is an eating plan based on the presumed ancient diet of early humans. The paleo diet consists of lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. It excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, and anything that could be considered processed.

Gluten-Free

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. A gluten-free diet is used to treat people with celiac disease, an autoimmune reaction to gluten. This diet is also used to treat people with gluten intolerance, a condition where the body has a negative reaction to gluten.

Vegan

A vegan diet is a plant-based diet that excludes all animal products. This diet is used to treat people with diabetes, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and other conditions. A vegan diet is also used to treat people with allergies and intolerances to dairy, eggs, and other animal products.

Mechanical soft diet

The mechanical soft diet is a short-term diet that consists of foods that are soft in texture, moderately low in fiber, and processed by chopping, grinding or pureeing to be easier to chew. This diet is often used with acute illness, before and after surgery, and other procedures such as x-ray, CT scan, etc.

The mechanical soft diet includes most milk products, tender meats, mashed potatoes, tender vegetables and fruits and their juices. However, most raw fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts and dried fruits are excluded.

To leave little residue in the GI tract, this diet provides clear liquids that supply fluid and calories without residue. It includes coffee, tea, clear juices, gelatin and clear broth.

The mechanical soft diet can serve as a transition between a full liquid and a regular diet by providing foods low in fiber and soft in texture. Most raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, coarse breads and cereals are avoided. Milk, lean meats, fish, most forms of potatoes and white breads are served on this diet plan. This type of diet tries to limit fiber, a kind of carbohydrate found in some plant-derived foods. The diet limits intake around ten grams of fiber daily and is designed to minimize the frequency and volume of residue in the intestinal tract.

Frequently asked questions