Low-Cholesterol Diet

A low-cholesterol diet is a balanced diet limiting food choices to only those with little or no cholesterol. This diet is planned so that cholesterol intake is no more than 300 mg per day. Because dietary fibers have been shown to have a cholesterol lowering effect, this is often prescribed.

This dietary management is good for Hypercholesterolemia, Atherosclerosis. A patient prescribed with low cholesterol diet will benefit from a vegetarian diet.

Note: Cholesterol is important to the body, but is not a dietary essential since the human body can produce its own cholesterol needs from carbohydrates, proteins and fats taken in through foods. In fact, “taking in cholesterol” from foods is not necessary because it often leads to hypercholesterolemia or increased blood level of cholesterol.

Cholesterol can only be found in animal sources. Plants do not produce it. Rich sources include egg yolk, fatty meats, internal organs, etc. Cholesterol usually abounds in fat of animal foods.

                                                                            

Some Tips for a Low-Cholesterol Diet

• Avoid foods high in cholesterol. This includes pork, shellfish, fat-rich dairy products, and internal organs such as heart, liver, kidney, brain, sweetbreads and animal fats. (For the Amount of Cholesterol Content in Foods See Cholesterol in Foods)

• Limit all cooked meat (lean meat, poultry) up to a maximum of 2 exchanges per day. Cut off fatty portions of meat.

• Use plant proteins (beans, nuts, legumes) as often as possible in place of meat. By nature, they do not contain cholesterol.

• Use sparingly polyunsaturated (liquid at room temperature) fats such as corn oil, soybean oil and peanut oil. These plant oils are cholesterol-free but are fat-rich.

• Avoid egg and egg products like leche flan (eggyolk/milk custard), rich cakes, and rich desserts. Use egg white only; only the yolk has cholesterol. A yolk contains an average of 240mg cholesterol.

• Boil, pan- or oven-broil, or bake food.

• Skim the fat off stews and soups. Avoid gravies.

• Eat fruits rather than rich desserts which are high in fats and “eggs”.

• Eat more fruits, vegetables, unrefined cereal (e.g. oatmeal and unpolished rice), nuts and grains. High fiber diet helps in lowering blood cholesterol.

• Drink 6 to 8 (at least) glasses of water daily in addition to fresh juices. Avoid milk shakes, chocolate drinks, coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages. See The Importance of Water.

• Keep a regular 3-meal-a-day schedule. Eat a heavy breakfast, a moderate lunch, and a light supper.

• Do not overeat.

Note: For List of Foods which are Allowed and Not Allowed for Low-Cholesterol Diet See Low-Cholesterol Diet Food Selection Guide 

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.116-117 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6

Hypoallergenic Diet

A hypoallergenic diet eliminates foods that contain identified allergens. Allergens are substances causing allergy.

The diet depends on the person’s sensitivity. Individualization is important because reaction to a certain food may vary from person to person.

Some Tips for a Hypoallergenic Diet

• Avoid the following foods known to be allergenic:
  1.      Poultry
  2.      Certain fishes as smoked fish, tuna frigate/bullet, yellow-finned tuna, shellfish.
  3.      Milk, eggs, and chocolates
  4.      Pineapple, eggplant and citrus fruits (based on some reports)
  

• Include vegetable dish at least twice a day

• Remember that not all allergies are food-induced. Have an allergy diary to help your doctor identify allergens.

• Read labels for hidden allergens.

• Be careful not to be over-restrictive. You may end up malnourished (nutrient deficient).

• Avoid coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. Drink 6 to 8 (at least) glasses of water between meals. See The Importance of Water.

• Have enough rest and sleep.

• Consult an allergist.

Note: It has been observed that vegetables rank the least possible allergen sources.

Foods Allowed for a Healthy Hypoallergenic Diet

• All, except those foods mentioned in  the Foods NOT Allowed section plus other foods identified as positive allergens through the allergy diary or through the hypersensitivity test given by our allergist.

Foods NOT Allowed

Common Allergens:

• Chicken

• Egg

• Milk

• Shellfish

• Chocolates

• Fish (fresh, salted, smoked)

• Pineapple

• Eggplant

Allergy Diary

List down when and where allergic reactions take place, what allergic reactions take place, what foods and drinks are taken, what activities are engaged in at the onset of allergy. These pieces of information will make your doctor’s diagnosis easier.

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.113 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6

Constipating Diet (Anti-Diarrhea Diet)

A constipating diet is a type of diet that aids in stool formation. It is recommended for loose bowel movement (LBM).

This diet is a combination of the low-residue, low-fiber and low fat diets. Restriction is based on the severity of loose bowel movement. Restriction in fat is important, because fat contributes in lubrication. Restriction in fiber is also important because fiber and residue make stool soft and watery.

Some Tips for a Constipating Diet

• Eat low-cellulose vegetables. Avoid fatty meats.

• Avoid leafy vegetables and high fiber fruits temporarily.

• Eat more bananas, apples, and star apples. They make stool firm.

• Eat small frequent meals.

• Drink more liquids. (Distilled water) See The Importance of Water.

• Drink strained juice or fat-free broths as desired.

• Add salt and sugar in diet. They prevent electrolyte imbalance.

• Avoid milk for at least 2 days.

• Gradually change from constipating diet to usual diet. See balanced diet.

Note: For List of Foods which are Allowed and Not Allowed for a Healthy Constipating Diet See Constipating Diet Food Selection Guide

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.92 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6

Low-Purine Diet

A low-purine diet has moderate fat and a normal protein allowance of 0.8 to 1.12 g of protein per kg ideal body weight but excludes purine-rich foods and limits purine-moderate foods. A low-purine diet is prescribed to persons whose systems are unable to handle uric acid in the body efficiently or persons with gout or gouty arthritis.

Purine, an intermediate product of protein metabolism found in every cell, contributes to the body’s uric acid pool after metabolism. Because most purine-rich foods are also protein-rich and because uric acid is an end product of protein metabolism, the low-purine diet is also moderate in protein. A high-fat diet which promotes uric acid retention should be avoided.

Some Tips for a Low-Purine Diet

• Eliminate internal organs such as heart, kidney, liver, brain, sweetbreads, and roe or fish eggs. They have concentrated purine. (For Particular Amount of Purine in Foods See Purine in Foods)

• Limit eating meat extracts, meat broths, bouillon, commercially prepared soups and gravies.

• Eat at least 2 to 3 servings or exchanges of protein-rich food low in purine.

• Avoid serving beans or legumes and nuts with other fish or meat dishes. They are rich in protein. Remember that legumes are seeds cooked as entrée. Baguio beans and string beans are not legumes when cooked with the string.

• Limit, if not totally eliminate fat-rich foods like pork, fatty meat, skin.

• Increase fluid intake. It helps eliminate uric acid. Daily intake of 6 to 8 (at least) glasses of water is recommended. See The Importance of Water.

• Reduce weight. (See Reducing Diet) In some cases, overweight and obesity have been associated with gout.

• Eat regularly. Always eat a good breakfast!

• Eat a balanced diet with more vegetables and fruits paying attention to protein-rich foods and fat-rich foods.

• Avoid coffee, tea, alcoholic drinks, and chocolates.

Note: For List of Foods which are Allowed and Not Allowed for Low-Purine Diet See Low-Purine Diet Food Selection Guide

 

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.127 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6

Low Fat Diet

A low fat diet allows a minimal amount of dietary fat which comprises 15% of the total calorie requirement of the person. The normal fat percentage is 20 to 35% of total calorie requirement per day.

This diet is prescribed to persons with liver disorder, gallbladder problem, hyperlipidemia (increased blood lipid level), and heart disease. (See Hepatitis, Gallstone Formation, Gallbladder Inflammation, Atherosclerosis, Hypercholesterolemia, Hypertension, Myocardial Infarction, Cancer, Diabetes, Gout) This is not as NO-fat diet but a low-fat diet. A right amount of fat is important in the body’s use of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Some Tips for a Low Fat Diet

• Avoid pork, fatty meats, animal fats, and animal skin.

• Substitute meat with fish or legume and grain combinations.

• Eat more unrefined or unprocessed foods.

• Increase vegetable and fruit intake except avocado. Avocado is rich in fat.

• Eat fruits instead of rich cakes and sweets for dessert.

• Drink fruit juices instead of full cream milk, milk shakes, malted milk and chocolate drinks.

• Use and drink only soymilk, skim, low fat or nonfat milk. Whole milk and full cream milk products such as cheese and ice cream are fat-rich.

• Boil, bake, and broil as often as desired. Limit frying and sautéing. (In a meal, you may have fried fish if the rest is cooked without fat or you may have sautéed dish with little oil. However, the rest must be fat-free).

• Deep fry rather than fry with little oil when frying is unavoidable. In deep frying, the food absorbs less oil (when it is hot) than frying with little oil. Place fried foods over paper towels to reduce oiliness.

• Sauté once in a while provided just enough oil is used to sauté onion and garlic.

• Prefer plain rice over fat-rich bakery products.

• Eat regularly. A 3-meal-a-day diet is recommended. Eating between meals encourages intake of fat-rich snack foods.

• Eat a good, heavy breakfast and a light supper always.

• Minimize dining out. Commercial food preparations are generally rich in fats, salt, spices, and sugar.

• Choose low fat soups like vegetable soup. Limit creamy soups.

• Take note of salad dressings and sauces. These are usually fat-rich.

• Avoid coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. Drink 6 to 8 (at least) glasses of water a day between meals. See The Importance of Water.

Note: For List of Foods which are Allowed and Not Allowed for a Low Fat Diet See Low Fat Diet Food Selection Guide

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.120-121 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6

High-Protein Diet

A high-protein diet calls for 1.5 g of protein per kilogram ideal body weight (normal value = 1.12 to 1.8 g/kg IBW). This diet is prescribed for growth and repair such as in pregnancy, tissue and bone regeneration, inflammatory conditions and injury.

Consider not only the amount of protein but its quality as well. As much as possible include protein-rich foods of high biologic value because their proteins are efficiently digested, absorbed and used by the human body. These include egg, meat, poultry, milk, soybeans, beans, and cereal as well as legume combinations like rice and mung (mongo) beans, soy protein + wheat protein = vegemeat products. etc.


This dietary management is good for Cancer, Infection, Anemia.

Some Tips for a High-protein Diet

• Eat enough serving of protein-rich foods daily.

• Drink at least one glass of milk daily.

• Always eat a balanced diet plus extra protein-rich foods.

• Drink 6 to 8 (at least) glasses of water daily, in between meals. See The Importance of Water.

• Avoid coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.

• Eat 3 good meals daily. This is better than small frequent meals or eating in between meals.

• Eat regularly.

• Eat a heavy breakfast, a moderate lunch, and a light supper.

• Eat a right kind of food, at the right interval, in the right amount, and in the right frame of mind.

• Have at least 5-hour interval between meals for digestion to be efficient. Last meal of the day should be taken at least 3 hours before sleeping.

• Eat at least one serving of dark green leafy vegetables a day.

• Eat more unrefined, unprocessed foods.

• Include a variety of foods from meal to meal.

• Take time to enjoy your food. Do not hurry.

Note: For List of Foods which are Allowed and Not Allowed for High-Protein Diet See High-Protein Diet Food Selection Guide

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.109-110 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6

High-Fiber Diet

A high-fiber diet is a modified balanced diet with higher fiber content. This is affected by including more fruits, nuts, vegetables, and whole grains in meal preparation.

Fiber, the “forgotten nutrient,” is also called bulk or roughage. Its helpful effects never change. It helps reduce the amount of fats and sugar in the bloodstream. It makes the elimination of waste products faster thus preventing constipation.

Fish, milk, meat, and eggs contain no fiber. Fiber can only be taken from fruits, nuts, vegetables, cereals, whole grains, and legumes. The more the food is in its natural form (unrefined), the higher is its fiber content.


This dietary management is good for Constipation, Atherosclerosis, Hypercholesterolemia, Diabetes.

Some Tips for a High-fiber Diet

• Establish a regular eating schedule.

• Eat 3 good meals daily with breakfast as the heaviest and supper as the lightest.

• Take time to enjoy your food.

• Use unrefined foods instead of processed or refined products.

• Substitute meat and fish with legumes and nuts.

• Include leafy vegetables in meals as much and as frequent as possible.

• Increase fluid intake. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily between meals. See The Importance of Water.

• Eat fruits, vegetables, cereals and grains with seeds, skin and membrane when possible.

• Avoid apple, banana, guava, star apple, and the likes if you have constipation. Instead, eat papaya, pineapple, prunes, oranges (whole segment), watermelon.

• Include a variety of foods from meal to meal.

• Avoid tea, coffee, alcoholic and carbonated beverages.

Note: For List of Foods which are Allowed and Not Allowed for a Healthy High-Fiber Diet See High-Fiber Diet Food Selection Guide

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.105-106 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6