Texture modified diet - cut up
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 more easily eaten by patients unable to cut up food.
Characteristics
All food items must be able to be eaten with a fork or spoon in one hand only. Solid food should be cut into pieces (maximum 2.5cm). Sandwiches should be cut into halves or quarters.
Indications
- impaired function of the hand, arm or shoulder
- general debility
- cognitive impairment.
Nutritional adequacy
Nutritionally adequate.
Precautions
Patients ordered this diet should be monitored regularly to ensure adequate dietary intake. Patients may need assistance with accessing food e.g. opening packets.
Paediatrics
Suitable for use in paediatrics when combined with an age-appropriate diet.
Specific menu planning guidelines
| Allowed | Not allowed | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot main dishes | All wet dishes Roasts, grills, fish, omelettes; cut up | - |
| Sauces, gravies | All | - |
| Starchy vegetables / pasta / rice |
Mashed, diced and chip potatoes All others cut up | - |
| Vegetables | All, cut up if over maximum particle size of 2.5cm | - |
| Soups | All | - |
| Sandwiches | All sandwiches, cut into halves or quarters | - |
| Salads, dressings | All, cut up or shredded | - |
| Breads, cereals | All | - |
| Spreads | All | - |
| Hot breakfast choices | All, cut up (including cutup sausages, omelettes, canned spaghetti and bacon) | - |
| Fruit | Cutup fresh or tinned fruit Dried fruit Banana | Whole fresh large pieces (e.g. apples, oranges) |
| Yoghurt | All | - |
| Desserts | All others | Desserts with hard bases or hard pastry unless cutup |
| Milk and cheese | All | Cheese with dried fruit or nuts |
| Beverages | All | - |
| Biscuits | All | - |
| Miscellaneous | Sugar, salt, pepper, sweetener, cream, nuts | - |
References
- Agency for Clinical Innovation. Nutrition standards for adult inpatients in NSW hospitals. Sydney: ACI; 2011.