Fluid diet - elemental
This document is part of the ACI Diet Specifications for Adult Inpatients. It is not to be used for patient education.
Aim
To provide nutrients as small molecular weight compounds, i.e. proteins as amino acids or peptides, carbohydrates as oligosaccharides or monosaccharides, and fats as medium-chain triglycerides.
Characteristics
All nutrition provided by commercial elemental nutritional supplement drinks.
Indications
The treatment of some gastrointestinal diseases, eg Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome.
Nutritional adequacy
Palatability limits compliance with this diet and patients may not be able to meet their energy needs with an elemental sip feed. Polymeric formulas may be better accepted and as effective as elemental fluid diets. Exclusive extended use of elemental formulas can result in essential fatty acid deficiency.
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 | None | - |
| Sandwiches | None | - |
| Salads, dressings | None | - |
| Breads, cereals | None | - |
| Spreads | None | - |
| Hot breakfast choices | None | - |
| Fruit | None | - |
| Yoghurt | None | - |
| Desserts | None | - |
| Milk and cheese | None | - |
| Beverages | Water Commercial elemental nutritional supplement drinks | All others |
| Biscuits | None | - |
| Miscellaneous | Sugar Plain boiled sweets | - |
References
- American Dietetic Association. Nutrition care manual. Chicago: ADA; 2009.
- Mahon LK, Escott-Stump S. Krause’s food and nutrition therapy. 12th ed. St Louis: Saunders Elsevier; 2008.
- Verma S, Brown S, Kirkwood B, Giaffer MH. Polymeric versus elemental diet as primary treatment in active Crohn’s disease: a randomized, double-blind trial. Am J Gastroenterol 2000;95:735–9.
- Zoli G, Carè M, Parazza M, Spanò C, Biagi PL, Bernardi M et al. A randomized controlled study comparing elemental diet and steroid treatment in Crohn’s disease. Aliment Pharmacol Therap 1997;11:735-40.
- Russell RI. Intestinal adaptation to an elemental diet. Proc Nutr Soc 1985;44:87-93.