Fluid diet - full
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 of liquids only.
Characteristics
Liquid foods that require no chewing. This is a low fibre diet that generally contains less than 10 g fibre per day.
Indications
Use for patients who require fluids only. This can be for various reasons including temporary transition from clear fluids to normal diet as indicated, e.g. post surgery or procedure.
This diet is suitable to be used in combination with thickened fluids. Although thickened fluids contain fibre in the nutrient information panel, the type of fibre is not clinically significant.
Nutritional adequacy
This diet is inadequate in many nutrients and should not be used as the sole source of nutritional support for more than three days, unless appropriate supplements are used.
Precautions
Patients may not receive a menu.
Patients ordered this diet should be monitored regularly to ensure adequate dietary intake.
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 | <2.5g fibre per serve Soups without visible food pieces including homogenised or pureed soups (all band 1) | Soups with visible food pieces |
| Sandwiches | None | - |
| Salads, dressings | None | - |
| Breads, cereals | Strained rolled oats, semolina or rice cereal with milk, sugar or honey | All bread Other breakfast cereals |
| Spreads | None | - |
| Hot breakfast choices | None | - |
| Fruit | None | - |
| Yoghurt | Drinking yoghurt Smooth yoghurt without fruit pieces | Yoghurt with visible fruit or nuts |
| Desserts | Plain jelly, plain smooth ice-cream, soft custard and smooth milk desserts (e.g. mousse, creme caramel) | All others |
| Milk and cheese | Plain and flavoured milk or dairy alternatives | All cheeses |
| Beverages | Fruit juice, water, milk, tea and coffee Cordial and soft drink are allowed but minimised to maximise nutrient intake Strained vegetable juices | All others |
| Biscuits | None | - |
| Miscellaneous | Nutrition supplements may be required Note: Milk powder, protein powder or glucose polymer may be added to drinks or soups to increase energy content Sugar, sweetener, salt, pepper, thin cream | - |
Change log
| Change date | Section updated | Change |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Characteristics and indications | Updated general language |
| Soups | Updated from <1.5g fibre to <2.5g fibre |