Energy diet - low
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 kilojoule-controlled diet with a wide variety of foods, to allow steady weight loss or prevent weight gain in low-activity patients.
Characteristics
Target energy: approximately 6000kJ per day with the following macronutrient distribution: carbohydrate >50% energy, fat <30% energy, protein 15–20% energy.
Indications
- overweight and obesity
- low-activity patients (e.g. spinal injury).
Nutritional adequacy
Nutritionally adequate.
Precautions
Dietitians may manipulate diet selections to individualise total energy prescription.
Paediatrics
Not suitable for use in paediatrics.
Specific menu planning guidelines
| Allowed | Not allowed | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot main dishes | All with <10g fat per serve | Fried foods and dishes in cream sauces Fatty meats, e.g. sausages, bacon Pies and pastries |
| Sauces, gravies | Lemon wedge, vinegar, tomato sauce, small serve low-fat gravy | White sauces, sour cream |
| Starchy vegetables / pasta / rice | All with <2g fat per serve Small serves of pasta and rice | Fried and chipped potatoes Fried rice |
| Vegetables | All with <2g fat per serve | Fried, or served with margarine or white / cheese sauces |
| Soups | All with <2g fat per serve (e.g. clear and low-fat soups) | Cream soups |
| Sandwiches | All with <12g fat per serve | Peanut butter, cheese |
| Salads, dressings | All others, with low-fat or low-joule dressing | Hard cheese Mayonnaise or full-fat dressing |
| Breads, cereals | All, preferably high fibre | |
| Spreads | Butter / margarine (max one portion per meal) Honey, jam, Vegemite™ | Peanut butter |
| Hot breakfast choices | Baked beans, spaghetti, mushrooms, boiled egg | Scrambled or fried eggs |
| Fruit | All fresh and canned fruit in juice | Dried fruit, fruit canned in heavy syrup |
| Yoghurt | Low-fat and diet yoghurts | Full-fat yoghurt |
| Desserts | All with <2g fat per serve Low-fat dairy desserts, low-joule jelly. | Cakes and pastries, jelly, cream Full-fat ice-cream and toppings |
| Milk and cheese | Low-fat milk Ricotta or cottage cheese | Full-fat milk Hard cheeses |
| Beverages | Tea, coffee, low-joule cordial or soft drinks Juice (at breakfast only) | Full-fat or flavoured milk |
| Biscuits | None | All |
| Miscellaneous | Artificial sweetener, lemon wedge | Sugar portions, nuts, chocolate |
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].
- Dietitians Association of Australia. Best practice guidelines for the treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Canberra: DAA; 2006.