Low fat diet < 50g day
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 with no more than 50g total fat per day, to minimise symptoms of fat malabsorption.
Characteristics
Low in total fat but not necessarily low in saturated fat.
Suggested fat distribution by meal:
Sites with mid-meal service
- Breakfast: 10g
- Morning tea: 2g
- Lunch: 15g
- Afternoon tea: 2g
- Dinner: 15g
- Supper: 2g
Sites without mid-meal service
- Breakfast: 10g
- Lunch: 20g
- Dinner: 20g
Indications
- cholecystitis
- pancreatitis
- steatorrhoea
- chronic radiation enteritis.
A low-fat diet may increase macronutrient and mineral absorption following surgery for short bowel syndrome. Restriction of fat in uncomplicated hepatitis is unfounded. Fat restriction has been found to be of little benefit in controlling bowel actions associated with cystic fibrosis.
Nutritional adequacy
Nutritionally adequate.
Precautions
None.
Paediatrics
Suitable for use in paediatrics when combined with an age-appropriate diet.
Specific menu planning guidelines
| Allowed | Not allowed | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot main dishes | Main dishes ≤10g fat per serve Lean meat, skinless chicken and fish Soy products, e.g. textured vegetable protein (TVP) Legumes Note: If no suitable choices are available on the menu, grilled fish and steamed chicken are appropriate to offer | Fatty meats (e.g. bacon, sausages), offal Deep-fried foods Foods cooked with coconut milk |
| Sauces, gravies | Low-fat sauces and gravies (≤3g fat per serve) Tomato sauce | Cream-based or milk-based sauces |
| Starchy vegetables / pasta / rice | All raw, steamed or boiled (≤2g fat per serve) | Fried or roasted vegetables with fat, such as butter, cooking margarine or oil |
| Vegetables | All raw, steamed or boiled without added fat (≤2g fat per serve) | Fried or roasted vegetables with fat, such as butter, cooking margarine or oil Vegetables served with cream-based or cheese-based sauces |
| Soups | Low-fat soups (≤2g fat per serve) | Soups made with cream or full-fat milk |
| Sandwiches | Sandwiches ≤12g fat per four-point serve | Fish canned in oil, avocado |
| Salads, dressings | Salads ≤12g fat per serve Low-joule dressing or lemon wedge | Full-fat dressings, mayonnaise Olives, avocado |
| Breads, cereals | All others | Toasted mueslis Cereals with coconut or chocolate |
| Spreads | Mono- or polyunsaturated margarine (limit to one portion per meal) Jam, honey, Vegemite™ | Peanut butter |
| Hot breakfast choices | One boiled or poached egg Mushrooms, baked beans, tomatoes ≤5g fat per serve | Fried or scrambled eggs Bacon, sausages Hash browns |
| Fruit | Fresh, canned and dried fruits Juices | Avocado Fruit cakes or pastries |
| Yoghurt | Low-fat yoghurts | Full-fat yoghurts |
| Desserts | Desserts with ≤2g fat per serve Low-fat ice-cream, custard and creamy rice Tapioca, sago | Full-fat ice-cream or custard Commercial cakes Cream |
| Milk and cheese | Low-fat milk (≤1%), e.g. skim milk, Shape™ Low-fat cottage cheese and ricotta | Full-cream milks, 2% fat milk Cream, sour cream Full-fat cheeses (e.g. cheddar) |
| Beverages | Water, tea, coffee, cordial, juices, soft drinks | Milk drinks |
| Biscuits | Plain low-fat biscuits with ≤2g fat per serve (e.g. one biscuit only: Spicy Fruit Roll™, Shredded Wheatmeal™, Granita™, Milk Arrowroot™, Milk Coffee™) | Commercial cream biscuits or chocolate biscuits |
| Miscellaneous | Herbs and spices Sugar | Nuts and seeds Chocolate |
References
- Dietitians Association of Australia. Nutrition manual. 8th ed. Canberra: DAA; 2009.
- American Dietetic Association. Nutrition care manual. Chicago: ADA; 2009, [accessed 17 March 2010].
- Maher AK, editor; Iowa Dietetic Association. Simplified diet manual. 10th ed. Ames: Blackwell; 2007.
- Nightingale J, Woodward JM. Guidelines for the management of patients with a short bowel. Gut 2006;55 Suppl 4:iv1-12.