TEXTURE MODIFIED DIET: NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Question 1

INDICATION FOR A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 1

• Though the traditional indication for the full liquid diet is short-term use as a transition step between the clear liquid diet and soft diet following gastrointestinal surgery research suggests that there are no data supporting the use of a full liquid diet as part of a postoperative diet progression
• However, this diet is included in the NCM Diet Manual because many health care facilities still prescribe this diet for temporary diet progression
• The trend toward early postoperative discharge has rendered elaborate postoperative diet regimens impractical; therefore, the full liquid diet is no longer widely advocated or used
• A review of postoperative diet advancement does not even mention the full liquid diet
• For patients with chewing or swallowing difficulties that may benefit from a liquid diet, dysphagia diets are recommended

Question 2

CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 2

• Dysphagia (aspiration risk)

* A healthy individual who can chew/swallow and follow a normal diet with solid foods

Question 3

DEFINITION OF A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 3

• The full liquid diet includes the foods allowed on the clear liquid diet plus milk and small amounts of fiber
• With this diet, thin cereal or gruel, strained cream soups, milkshakes, custard, and pudding could be provided along with juices or nectars that do not contain pulp
• Non-dairy substitutes are indicated for patients with lactose-intolerance
• Portion sizes of this diet may be modified to meet the needs of postoperative bariatric surgery patients
• Specific nutrients (carbohydrates, sodium, fat, etc.) can also be modified to meet the needs of individuals with specific medical conditions
• Provide special guidance to patients with lactose intolerance, as this diet includes many milk-based items

Question 4

PURPOSE OF A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 4

• Provision of macronutrients and micronutrients while recovering from surgery, or in the case of some diseases.
• Patient has chewing difficulty

Question 5

NOTES FOR IMPLEMENTING A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 5

The full liquid diet is adequate in energy, protein, and fat but may be inadequate in vitamins, minerals, and bioactive substances, including fiber.
• Oral supplements may be ordered to supplement the nutrient intake in this diet for patients who require this diet for more than 3-4 days to assist them in meeting their needs.

Question 6

GRAINS ALLOWED AND TO AVOID IN A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 6

ALLOWED:
Thin hot cereal, such as cream of wheat

TO AVOID:
All grain foods including whole grains, processed grains such as pasta, rice, hot and cold cereals, bread, snacks and sweets that are flour-based (cakes, cookies)

Question 7

PROTEIN ALLOWED AND TO AVOID IN A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 7

ALLOWED: NONE

TO AVOID:Beef and pork (all cuts)
Chicken and turkey (all cuts)
Fish (all types)
Nuts and nut butters (all types)
Eggs (all types)
Meat substitutes (all types) such as soy and tofu
Cold cuts or lunch meat (all types) including salami, ham, roast beef, deli turkey, etc.
Sausage (all types)

Question 8

DAIRY ALLOWED AND TO AVOID IN A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 8

ALLOWED:
Milk: skim, 1%, 2%, whole
Soymilk, almond milk, rice milk, coconut milk
Ice cream and milkshakes
Yogurt (blended style without seeds or chunks)
Custard
Pudding

TO AVOID: Sour cream, cream cheese
Yogurt with fruit chunks or seeds
Hard cheeses

Question 9

VEGETABLES ALLOWED AND TO AVOID IN A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 9

ALLOWED:
Vegetable juice without pulp
Thin, pureed vegetable soups

TO AVOID:
Frozen, fresh, canned varieties
Vegetable juice with pulp

Question 10

FRUIT ALLOWED AND TO AVOID IN A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 10

ALLOWED:
Translucent fruit juices without pulp (apple, cranberry, grape)

TO AVOID:
Frozen, fresh, canned varieties
Fruit juice with pulp

Question 11

OILS ALLOWED AND TO AVOID IN A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 11

ALLOWED:
Almond, avocado, canola, cashew, corn, grapeseed, olive, safflower, sesame, soybean, sunflower
Butter (melted)
Trans fat–free margarine (melted)

TO AVOID:Butter, margarine, oils (all)

Question 12

BEVERAGES ALLOWED IN A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 12

Tea
Coffee
Water, ice
Translucent and opaque nutritional supplements

Question 13

COOKING METHODS ALLOWED AND TO AVOID IN A NORMAL FULL FLUID DIET

Answer 13

ALLOWED:
• Boiling
• Steaming
• Blending

TO AVOID 
•	Frying
•	Braising
•	Sautéing 
•	Grilling
•	Roasting