8.5.1: Being Specific When It Comes to the Diet

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Page ID: 67646

Erin O'Hara-Leslie, Amdra C. Wade, Kimberly B. McLain, SUNY Broome

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Some patients may require a modified diet due to health conditions, diseases, or problems with chewing, swallowing, or choking. Sometimes, certain medications may even interact with certain foods, and a patient may need to have more or less of a certain food while on that medication. Modified diets are changes made in a particular nutrient or the texture of the food. Diets may be ordered by a physician. A Registered Dietician will often be involved in planning the patient’s diet in these cases.

The patient may need to have more or less of a certain nutrient. For example, they may have an order to eat foods low in potassium if they have kidney disease or low in sodium if they have heart failure. Or, they may have an order that says they should eat a diet high in protein. Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides should always follow the diet as specified in the Care Plan. It is in place for the health and safety of their patient. When in doubt, they should seek guidance from a supervisor.

The Meaning Of “High” And “Low” Diet Orders:

High Diet Orders: A diet that has the word high in it means that there should be an increase in a particular nutrient. Diets requiring “high” amounts should have extra of the nutrient added. Examples of diets with “high” amounts include high calorie, high protein, high residue (fiber), or high potassium.
Low Diet Orders: A diet that has the word low in it means that there should be a decrease in a particular nutrient. There may also be a need to cut the nutrient out altogether. For example, patients who are on gluten-free diets should not have any gluten in their diet. Other examples of diets that may have “low” amounts include low sodium, low cholesterol, low fat, low calorie, low protein, low potassium, low residue (fiber), or low sugar diets.