Here are some of the diets that may be ordered by your physician:

Cardiac Diet

The cardiac (heart) diet is low in fat and salt. Less than 30 percent of the calories in this diet come from fat. You can have egg substitutes and low-fat meats. Fried foods and caffeine are not allowed.

Clear Liquid Diet

On this diet you will be given foods that are liquid at room temperature. These foods will leave little or no residue after digestion. This diet is used when other liquids and solid foods would not be tolerated. Your physician may order this diet before some tests and before or after some surgeries.

Diabetic Diet

The diabetic diet is a low-fat diet that will vary in calorie level based on your age, size, and activity level. It limits carbohydrates, protein and fat. Your choices will vary depending on your calorie level. You will have no concentrated sweets. Sugar substitutes are allowed.

Full Liquid Diet

The full liquid diet is used when you have problems with chewing, swallowing or digesting solid food. This diet is often ordered when you are going from a clear liquid diet to solid foods.

High Fiber Diet

A high fiber diet can be very helpful with certain health problems. It helps to relieve constipation and helps reduce hemorrhoids. It is recommended for people who have diverticulosis (tiny pouches on the colon) and irritable colon (which causes stomach pain, cramping, constipation and diarrhea). Many doctors believe that a high-fiber diet helps people with diabetes or high cholesterol. It may prevent colon cancer and some forms of heart disease. For a high-fiber diet, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Eat more whole grains, nuts, beans and peas. Drink at least eight glasses of water every day.

Lactose-Free Diet

This diet avoids milk or milk products and lactose. This includes milk, ice cream, sherbet, yogurt and frozen yogurt, cookies, pies, cakes, or pastries made with milk, butter or margarine containing milk, or milk products. Other foods that often contain milk are gravy, chocolate, pudding, cheese, cheese products, dressings, omelets, soufflés and scrambled eggs. Avoid meat, poultry and fish that have been prepared with milk. This includes hot dogs, cold cuts and sausages that contain milk products.

Low Fat/Low Cholesterol Diet

This diet lowers the total fat in the diet to 50 grams per day. Eat less fat, oils, butter and margarine. Fried foods are not allowed. Do not eat fatty meats, whole milk products, rich desserts, sweetened breads and pastries. You should eat egg substitutes and low-fat meats.

Low Protein

This diet will restrict the amount of meat, milk, starches and starchy vegetables that you eat per day. It ranges from 20 grams to 60 grams of protein.

Low Sodium Diet

The low sodium (salt) diet limits salt to 2 grams of salt or 2000 mg of salt per day. Your foods will be prepared without added salt. Foods high in salt (such as bacon and sausage) will not be on this diet. You will be given a low-salt herbal blend to use for seasoning your food.

No Concentrated Sweets

This diet is a regular diet that does not have sources of simple carbohydrates or refined sugar. You should not eat sugar, honey, regular syrup, regular jam or jelly, molasses, candy and regular sweetened drinks. On this diet you do not eat cake, pie or cookies sweetened with sugar, honey or molasses.

Pureed Diet

The pureed diet is used for patients who have trouble chewing or swallowing. Solid foods are changed to the consistency of mashed potatoes. This diet should decrease the amount of chewing and help foods be swallowed more easily. You may season your pureed foods unless instructed otherwise by your physician.

Regular Diet

A regular diet is based on the U.S. Dietary guidelines. For good health, it contains many types of foods with moderate levels of salt, fat and sugar. A supply of milk, juice, cereal and crackers are also available on the patient care unit. If you need a small snack between meals, check with your nurse.

Renal Diet

The renal diet limits potassium, salt, phosphorus, protein and sometimes fluid.

Soft Diets

Soft/Bland A regular Soft Diet is ordered for you if you need foods that are easy to digest and are mild in seasoning. This diet gives a variety of healthy foods that have only a moderate amount of fat and fiber and do not contain caffeine.

Mechanical Soft (Low Residue)

This diet is ordered for you if you have difficulty chewing foods such as raw fruits and vegetables or foods that have a large amount of connective tissue. The Mechanical Soft Diet offers foods that are soft in texture, low in fiber and easier to chew.