General 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 nutritionally adequate diet with a variety of foods for patients admitted to hospital that do not have any additional dietary requirements or therapeutic needs.
Characteristics
A diet that conforms to the Nutrition Standards for Adult Patients.
Indications
Suitable for all patients who are nutritionally well and not nutritionally at risk, but not those with special or high nutritional needs.
Nutritional adequacy
Nutritionally adequate. Nutritionally adequate diets can provide sufficient nutrition to patients without the need for supplementation.
Precautions
Not to be used for patients with any therapeutic diet order.
Paediatrics
Not suitable for use in paediatrics.
Specific menu planning guidelines
| Allowed | Not allowed | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot main dishes | All | - |
| Sauces, gravies | All | - |
| Starchy vegetables / pasta / rice | All | - |
| Vegetables | All | - |
| Soups | All | - |
| Sandwiches | All | - |
| Salads, dressings | All | - |
| Breads, cereals | All | - |
| Spreads | All | - |
| Hot breakfast choices | All | - |
| Fruit | All | - |
| Yoghurt | All | - |
| Desserts | All | - |
| Milk and cheese | All | - |
| Drinks | All | - |
| Biscuits | All | - |
| Miscellaneous | One high-energy mid-meal per day as required by the Nutrition Standards | - |
References
- Agency for Clinical Innovation, NSW Health. Nutrition Standards. Sydney: ACI; 2024 [cited 17 Jul 2025].
Change log
| Change date | Section updated | Change |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Indications | Removed this diet may be combined with thickened diets. |
| References | Removed: Dietitians Association of Australia. Nutrition manual, 8th ed. Updated: Nutrition Standards | |
| Language | Updated to be consistent with ACI writing style writing guide |