Dante Carrillo
A well-tolerated diet is often recommended for people who have undergone abdominal surgery or are recovering from gastroenteritis, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel flares. This type of diet is soft in texture, low in fiber, and easy for the stomach and intestines to digest.
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What You'll Learn
Soft texture
A soft food diet is a type of texture-modified diet for people who have difficulty chewing and swallowing. It consists of foods that are soft, easily digestible, and require minimal chewing. Soft diets are often used to treat swallowing disorders, collectively known as dysphagia, which is common in older adults and those with neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. They are also used after abdominal surgery or as a transitional diet after gastroenteritis, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel flares.
Soft diets can include cooked fruits and vegetables, easily chewable proteins, and soft starches. Examples of soft fruits include cooked, peeled apples or applesauce, bananas, avocado, peeled ripe peaches, cooked pears, and puréed fruits. Vegetables can include soft cooked carrots, green beans, chopped cooked spinach, cooked zucchini without seeds, and well-cooked broccoli florets. Dairy products such as cottage cheese, yogurt, soft cheeses, pudding, and frozen yogurt are also suitable for a soft diet. Lower-fat dairy products are typically recommended for people recovering from gastrointestinal surgery or illness.
It is important to note that a soft diet should not be confused with a puréed diet, although puréed foods are allowed and can be beneficial for those with chewing and swallowing difficulties. Most foods are allowed on a soft diet as long as they can be mechanically altered (pureed, blended, or finely chopped) or are already soft enough to consume with minimal chewing. However, it is always best to consult a healthcare provider or registered dietitian for specific recommendations and to ensure that nutritional needs are being met.
When following a soft diet, it is recommended to chew all foods slowly to a mashed potato consistency. Eating smaller meals every few hours, such as four to six meals a day, may also be more comfortable than three large meals. Additionally, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking at least eight cups of fluid every day, including fluids such as pudding, ice cream, sherbet, soup, gelatin, and yogurt. A soft diet may be low in certain nutrients, so a multivitamin may be necessary if the diet is followed for an extended period.
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Low fibre
A low-fibre diet is typically recommended for individuals experiencing digestive issues such as diarrhoea, cramping, or difficulty in digesting food. This type of diet involves consuming foods that are low in dietary fibre, which can be either soluble or insoluble. Soluble fibre attracts water and forms a gel in the intestines, aiding in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Insoluble fibre, on the other hand, helps move food through the digestive tract and adds bulk to the stool, preventing constipation. However, insoluble fibre can sometimes irritate the intestines due to its rough texture.
When following a low-fibre diet, it is important to prioritise rest for the bowels or intestines. This is achieved by reducing the amount of undigested food passing through the bowels, resulting in a decrease in stool production. To do this, one should consume foods that are gentle on the digestive system and do not contain large amounts of fibre.
Meats can be baked, broiled, or poached with mild seasonings. They can be incorporated into stews, roasts, meatloaves, casseroles, sandwiches, and soups. It is also recommended to use white flour for baking and sauces. Grains like white rice, Cream of Wheat, or grits should be well-cooked and included in dishes such as casseroles, dumplings, soufflés, and puddings.
Fresh or canned vegetables without seeds, stems, or skins are suitable, and they can be added to cream sauces, soups, soufflés, casseroles, and other dishes. Soft canned or cooked fruit without seeds or skins can be consumed in small amounts. Dairy products like milk, chocolate milk, buttermilk, and milk drinks can be used in desserts, snacks, or breads, but only if they do not cause any adverse reactions.
It is important to note that a low-fibre diet should be tailored to the individual's specific needs and medical condition. Consulting with a doctor or dietitian is essential to ensure the diet is safe and effective for the person's particular circumstances.
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Easy to digest
A well-tolerated or easy-to-digest diet is often recommended after abdominal surgery or as a transitional diet after gastroenteritis, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel flares. The goal of this diet is to reduce nausea, diarrhoea, and gas in the bowel that may cause abdominal pain and discomfort.
Easy-to-digest foods are typically low in fibre and fat, mild in flavour, and soft or easy to chew and swallow. Well-cooked foods are generally easier to digest. Examples of animal proteins that are easy to digest include scrambled eggs and lean ground meats. Plant-based proteins like smooth nut butters and soft scrambled tofu are also good options. If you are lactose intolerant, consuming dairy may worsen your digestive issues, but some people benefit from the probiotics in fermented dairy products like yogurt or kefir. If you can tolerate dairy, opt for low-fat dairy products as they tend to be easier to digest than full-fat dairy.
It is important to note that the foods you can and cannot tolerate are individual and depend on the reason for your gastrointestinal symptoms. For example, if you have celiac disease, gluten damages the small intestine, so you will need to avoid gluten-containing foods like wheat, rye, and barley. If you are experiencing ongoing digestive discomfort, consult a gastroenterologist to determine the root cause of your symptoms and consider meeting with a registered dietitian to develop a personalised diet plan that meets your nutritional needs while keeping your symptoms under control.
Additionally, if your diet becomes too limited in variety or quantity, a daily multivitamin may be recommended to ensure you are getting adequate nutrients. However, always consult your doctor before taking any supplements. While easy-to-digest foods can be beneficial in the short term, chronically restricting entire food groups can lead to nutritional deficiencies and disordered eating habits. Therefore, it is important to work with a healthcare professional to address the underlying cause of your digestive issues rather than solely relying on dietary modifications as a long-term solution.
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Transitional diet
A transitional diet is a key component of the 'diet as tolerated' approach, which is often used in hospitals and medical settings to describe a patient's diet plan and their progress. The term 'diet as tolerated' implies that a patient is given a diet plan with certain restrictions or guidelines, and they are allowed to eat and drink according to their tolerance and comfort level. This approach is often used after a patient has undergone a medical procedure, surgery, or when they are recovering from an illness, and it involves a gradual progression back to a regular diet.
The transitional diet is a step-by-step process that helps patients transition from a restricted or modified diet back to their usual diet. It is designed to be flexible and tailored to each individual's needs and tolerance. The diet typically starts with easily digestible, bland foods that are gentle on the stomach and digestive system. This might include foods like toast, crackers, rice, bananas, applesauce, and lean meats. Patients are encouraged to start with small portions and slowly increase their intake as tolerated.
The goal of a transitional diet is to help the patient regain their strength and nutrition while also monitoring their tolerance and adjusting the diet accordingly. It is a cautious approach that ensures the patient's comfort and helps manage any potential side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, which are common after certain medical procedures or treatments. During this transitional phase, patients are often advised to avoid certain foods that may irritate their digestive system or interfere with their recovery.
For example, spicy foods, high-fat foods, and foods that are difficult to digest may be restricted. The transitional diet may also involve specific recommendations for fluid intake, as proper hydration is crucial for recovery. Patients may be encouraged to drink clear liquids, broths, and gradually progress to more solid foods as their tolerance improves. This gradual progression allows the body to adjust and helps identify any specific foods or drinks that may trigger adverse reactions.
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Post-surgery
A "diet as tolerated" is a term used to describe a patient-controlled diet that is advanced at the patient's discretion. This is in contrast to a traditional diet plan, where a patient's diet is progressively advanced by a medical professional from clear liquids to full liquids, then soft foods, and finally regular meals.
A "diet as tolerated" does not mean that patients can eat whatever they like. It is important to eat nutritious foods to aid the body's recovery. For example, protein plays a vital role in healing as it helps the body rebuild tissue. Good sources of protein include seafood, lean meats like chicken or turkey, and non-meat proteins like eggs, tofu, and beans. Patients should also try to eat enough carbohydrates and essential amino acids, as these support and accelerate the healing process and reduce muscle atrophy.
It is also important to be aware of which foods to avoid. For instance, red meats tend to be high in saturated fat, which is not good for heart health. Patients should also be cautious of consuming too much fibre if they have had gastrointestinal surgery. Additionally, patients should try to maintain adequate fluid intake by drinking water, herbal and decaffeinated teas, and other unsweetened beverages.
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Frequently asked questions
A "diet as tolerated" is often recommended after abdominal surgery or as a transitional diet after gastroenteritis, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel flares.
A "diet as tolerated" is typically soft in texture, low in fiber, and easy to digest.
Foods that are typically included in this diet include soft-boiled eggs, oatmeal, bananas, yogurt, and well-cooked vegetables.
The duration of this diet plan depends on the individual's health condition and tolerance. It is typically recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate timeline and gradually introduce more diverse foods.
