Special Diets

Low Sodium Diet

• Salt is restricted

• Used for residents with hypertension, heart disease, or kidney disease 

Fluid Restricted Diet

• A specific amount of fluid can be drank/ate per day

• The NA must measure and document exact amount of fluid intake

• Used for residents with heart disease or kidney disease

• Foods that are liquid at room temp count as fluid! Ex: ice cream, gelatin, etc

Low Protein Diet

• Protein is restricted

• Used for residents with kidney disease since protein breaks down into compounds that may worsen kidney damage

Low Fat Diet

• Diet low in saturated (bad) fat OR all fats- depending on the reason for the special diet order

• Used for residents with heart disease or who have had MI’s, with gallbladder disease, liver disease, and diseases that affect fat digestion 

Modified Calorie Diet

• Diets with specific calorie amounts to meet

• Used for residents needing to lose weight, prevent weight gain, or gain weight

Diabetic Diet: 

• Calories and carbohydrates are carefully controlled, proteins and fats are regulated

• Meal plans are created and may require carbohydrate counting

• Used for residents with diabetes

• Residents need to eat all that is served and the NA should not offer additional food without consulting the nurse

Vegetarian Diet:

• No meat or fish 

• May be used for residents with obesity, but generally based on personal/religious values

Vegan Diet:

• Only plant based food- no animal products

• May be used for residents with heart disease or other health issues, but usually based on personal/religious values

Pescatarian Diet:

• No meat but fish and seafood is ok

• Used for residents wanting to limit their intake of animal based foods

Liquid Diet: 

• Foods that are liquid at room temperature

• Can be clear or full liquid (clear: juices, broth, gelatin, popsicles; full: soups, milk, ice cream)

• Used short term due to a medical condition or before a test or surgery

Soft Mechanical Diet:

• Soft in texture, consists of foods that are easy to chew and swallow

• Used for residents who have a hard time chewing and swallowing (dental issues, dysphagia, etc)

• May also be used for residents moving from a liquid diet to a regular diet

Pureed Diet:

• Food is blended into a thick paste, should be thick enough to hold its form in the mouth

• Used for people who have a hard time chewing and swallowing more textured foods