Test diet - occult blood
This document is part of the ACI Diet Specifications for Adult Inpatients. It is not to be used for patient education.
Aim
To avoid all sources of haemoglobin.
Characteristics
A diet eliminating foods containing any meat or poultry.
Indications
This is a test diet that may be ordered in preparation for an occult blood test to investigate blood loss via the gastrointestinal tract.
Nutritional adequacy
May not be nutritionally adequate unless fortified foods (e.g. cereals) are used to provide adequate iron and zinc. High-protein plant foods or eggs should be available at each meal.
Precautions
The test diet is usually required for 48 hours before stool collection.
Paediatrics
Suitable for use in paediatrics when combined with an age-appropriate diet.
Specific menu planning guidelines
| Allowed | Not allowed | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot main dishes | Dishes specially prepared for vegetarians based on beans, peas, tofu, textured vegetable protein (TVP), lentils, nuts, milk, cheese or eggs | Any dishes containing meat, poultry or fish |
| Sauces, gravies | Sauces without meat fats or juices; butter acceptable | Stocks and gravies made with meat or animal products |
| Starchy vegetables / pasta / rice | All | - |
| Vegetables | All | - |
| Soups | Vegetables soups made without animal-based stocks | Soups prepared with meat, poultry or fish |
| Sandwiches | All others, e.g. peanut butter, cheese, egg | All meat, poultry and fish |
| Salads, dressings | All others | All meat, poultry and fish |
| Breads, cereals | All | - |
| Spreads | Jam, peanut butter, Vegemite™, margarine, butter, honey | Meat and fish spreads |
| Hot breakfast choices | Eggs, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, canned spaghetti, creamed corn | Meat (e.g. bacon) |
| Fruit | All | - |
| Yoghurt | All | - |
| Desserts | All | - |
| Milk and cheese | All | - |
| Beverages | All | - |
| Biscuits | All | - |
| Miscellaneous | All | - |
References
- National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, Australian Government. Screening with a faecal occult blood test (FOBT).
- Joseph A. Compliance with fecal occult blood testing: the role of restrictive diets. Am J Public Health 1988;78:839-41.
- Norfleet RG. Effect of diet on fecal occult blood testing in patients with colorectal polyps. Digest Dis Sci 1986;31:498-501.