Therapeutic diets are composed of meal plans restricting certain foods. This could include omission of certain nutrients. Or, restrictions on what the follower can drink.
Ever spent time at the hospital? If so, you’ve likely been on one during recovery. An example would include the “liquid diet” to help ease your body and stomach back to normal foods.
Therapeutic diets have gone mainstream because most are backed by science and medical professionals. And, how we’ve become more attuned to our bodies (what we can/cannot have). Many practitioners see these as an opportunity to lose weight without worry. Others do so because of medical conditions.
Interested in these diets, their purpose, and routine? Read on…
Therapeutic Diets: A Quick Overview and Primer
Must-Know Therapeutic Diets
We practice strange diets to lose the weight. There’s the well-known “grapefruit diet”. Or, the extreme end of things with the “tapeworm diet” (yes, it’s what you think). Which of the endless diet choices caught on? Which fit our criteria as therapeutic/medical?
Dysphagia Diet
This diet was developed for individuals with difficulties chewing and swallowing. The diet is for those often affected by brain disorders, dental problems, or throat cancer. This diet is also popular for elderly individuals having difficulty eating.
Dieters typically use a combination of thickening agents and food selection. A dieter may use simplythick to thicken liquids, making them easier to swallow. These individuals may choose pureed, minced, or ground foods. The goal is receiving essential nutrients without the fear of asphyxiation.
Ketogenic Diet
This has been the spotlight diet for many recent years. The diet started as a method to help treat epilepsy and manage diabetes. These days it’s formed into mainstream appeal through smart marketing. Today, dieters can find hundreds of keto-friendly products on store shelves and countless recipes online.
Dieters with this diet aim to reach a ketogenic state. This puts the body in a “burn” mode, using stored fat instead of carbohydrates (sugars) as its fuel. The goal is sustaining this keto-state by eliminating a large percentage of carbs. The keto diet has strong support from the medical community.
Low-fat Diet
With this diet, the intent is to reduce consumption of fatty, cholesterol-rich foods. The diet became a staple for those recovering from heart trauma. Or, those affected by high blood pressure. Cooking products like the George Foreman grill helped popularize the diet. So did the abundance of low-fat alternative foods.
Dieters following this diet are encouraged to avoid fat content. Though, they’re given leeway since it’s impossible to cut all fatty sources. This could include switching to a greater abundance of vegetables, reducing meat consumption, or simply trimming fat from meats before cooking.
No Added Salt
This diet resembles the low-fat diet by way of helping to reduce high blood pressure. The intent of the diet is removing any unnecessary salt from food products. Generally, this involves avoiding processed foods or meal kits since they’re often loaded with salt for flavor and preservation.
Dieters following this plan are encouraged to use portion control. This diet includes a broad mix of nutrients to meet daily needs. Though, many apply the routine to help lose weight.
Renal Diet
This diet is hyper-specific with the intent to help deliver nutrition for those affected by kidney problems and/or disease. The diet helps to prevent leftover waste as liquids are filtered through the kidney. It’s a popular diet for those recovering from kidney stones, doing dialysis, or experience chronic problems.
Dietary restrictions with the Renal diet are strict. But, the main takeaway is to lower or eliminate intake of salts, potassium, and phosphorus. Mainly, it’s restrictive of certain fruits and dairy products. Those practicing the Renal diet use it for daily management (not weight loss).
Are Therapeutic Diets for You?
Therapeutic diets are beneficial whether it’s maintaining a healthy weight, losing a few pounds, or preventing problems. Practicing these diets have the full-backing of trusted, medical professionals. These are tried-and-true diets without the hype and complicated routines.
These diets have a purpose and intent to help those recovering or living with problems/diseases. Yes, most are applicable to many. Are they right for you? Talk with a doctor, first, and then decide.
What do you think about therapeutic diets?
