Fluid diet - clear - high protein
This document is part of the ACI Diet Specifications for Adult Inpatients. It is not to be used for patient education.
Aim
To provide clear fluids to meet fluid requirements pre- and post-procedure while providing some protein, energy and micronutrients.
Characteristics
Only fluids or foods that liquefy at room temperature. All liquids containing fat are excluded. A clear fluid commercial nutritional supplement (e.g. Resource® Fruit Beverage or Enlive®) is served with each meal.
Indications
- following an extended period of poor or nil oral intake
- following gastrointestinal surgery as a first step in oral rehydration
- to reduce the amount of residue in the colon as preparation for bowel surgery or barium enema
- severe nausea, vomiting or acute diarrhoea
Nutritional adequacy
This diet is inadequate in most nutrients and should not be used as the sole source of nutritional support for extended periods unless supervised by a dietitian.
Precautions
Patients do not receive a menu
Paediatrics
Suitable for use in paediatrics when combined with an age-appropriate diet.
Specific menu planning guidelines
| Allowed | Not allowed | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot main dishes | None | - |
| Sauces, gravies | None | - |
| Starchy vegetables / pasta / rice | None | - |
| Vegetables | None | - |
| Soups | Fat-free clear soup and broths | Cream soup or soup with visible food pieces |
| Sandwiches | None | - |
| Salads, dressings | None | - |
| Breads, cereals | None | - |
| Spreads | None | - |
| Hot breakfast choices | None | - |
| Fruit | Strained fruit juice | All others Prune juice |
| Yoghurt | None | - |
| Desserts | Plain jelly Sorbet | All others |
| Milk and cheese | None | - |
| Beverages | Commercial high-energy, fat-free, milk-free nutritional supplement served at each meal Water, cordial and soft drink Black tea and coffee | All others |
| Biscuits | None | - |
| Miscellaneous | Sugar Plain boiled sweets | - |
References
- Dietitians Association of Australia. Nutrition manual. 8th ed. Canberra: DAA; 2009.
- American Dietetic Association. Nutrition care manual. Chicago: ADA; 2009.
- Belsey J, Epstein O, Heresbach D. Systematic review: oral bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2007;25:373-84.
- Hancock S, Cresci G, Martindale R. The clear liquid diet: when is it appropriate? Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2002;4:324-31.
- American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Preoperative Fasting. Practice guidelines for preoperative fasting and the use of pharmacologic agents to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration: application to healthy patients undergoing elective procedures. Anesthesiol 1999;90:896-905.