Energy diet - high
This document is part of the ACI Diet Specifications for Adult Inpatients. It is not to be used for patient education.
Aim
To provide a diet containing more energy than can be achieved on the full diet alone.
Characteristics
Full diet plus extra foods and supplements. Often combined with a high-protein diet.
Typical default mid-meals:
- AM: Half sandwich + flavoured milk + extras as desired
- PM: Cheese and biscuits + flavoured milk + extras as desired
- Supper: Flavoured milk + extras as desired
Indications
- unintentional weight loss or decreased food intake
- anorexia nervosa
- in combination with other therapeutic diets that may result in reduced energy intake (e.g. low protein).
Nutritional adequacy
Nutritionally adequate.
Precautions
Dietitians may need to consider ordering high-energy supplements. An additional protein source (e.g. a boiled egg) may be offered at a main meal for people with high protein requirements or large body weight. For anorexia nervosa patients, care may be required to limit low-energy vegetable intake.
Not to be combined with diets that restrict fat or sugar.
Paediatrics
Not suitable for use in paediatrics.
Specific menu planning guidelines
| Allowed | Not allowed | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot main dishes | All | - |
| Sauces, gravies | All | - |
| Starchy vegetables / pasta / rice | All High-energy mashed potato | - |
| Vegetables | All, with added margarine | - |
| Soups | All others | Clear and low-fat soups |
| Sandwiches | All | - |
| Salads, dressings | Salads offered once a day only | - |
| Breads, cereals | All bread Cereals served with cream | - |
| Spreads | All | - |
| Hot breakfast choices | All | - |
| Fruit | Canned fruit + glucose / dextrose polymer available at all meals | - |
| Yoghurt | Full-fat yoghurts | Low-fat and diet yoghurts |
| Desserts | All Serve thin cream with cakes | - |
| Milk and cheese | All, preferably full fat | - |
| Beverages | All others, including soft drinks Juice with glucose / dextrose polymer at all meals when juice is available | Low-joule cordial |
| Biscuits | All | - |
| Miscellaneous | Glucose / dextrose polymer (e.g. Polycose®) added to foods and beverages Nutritional supplements Sugar | Sugar substitutes |
References
- Dietitians Association of Australia. Nutrition manual. 8th ed. Canberra: DAA; 2009..
- American Dietetic Association. Nutrition care manual. Chicago: ADA; 2009. [accessed 26 April 2010].
Change log
July 2019
| Section updated | Change |
|---|---|
| Specific menu planning guidelines - Miscellaneous | In Not Allowed, deleted Low-fat dressings |
| Specific menu planning guidelines - Desserts | In Allowed, deleted others (i.e. will be just All) |
| In Not Allowed, deleted Fruit or jelly served without milk dessert, ice-cream or cream |