REGULAR DIET – ADULT

Description
The diet includes a wide variety of foods to meet nutritional requirements and individual preferences of healthy adults.  It is used to promote health and reduce the risks of developing major, chronic, or nutrition-related disease.

Indications
The diet is served when specific dietary modifications are not required.

Nutritional Adequacy
The diet can be planned to meet the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) as outlined in Statement on Nutritional Adequacy.  The diet uses the 2,000 kilocalorie level as the standard reference level for adults.  Specific calorie levels may need to be adjusted based on age, gender and physical activity. 

How to Order the Diet
Order as “Regular Diet,” indicating any special instructions.

Planning the Diet            
The Dietary Guidelines and portion sizes use the USDA Food Guide and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension) Eating Plan as the basis for planning the menu (1).  Since the Dietary Guidelines are for healthy Americans, modifications may be required in health care settings that treat ill patients.  While patients are hospitalized, the main goal is to encourage food intake, which frequently requires “comfort foods,” such as soup, sandwiches, and other foods the patient is accustomed to.  With that consideration, the number of servings of foods from each food group may differ from the recommendations.  However, the meal will still be planned to meet the DRIs whenever possible.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans (1):

• consume a variety  of nutrient-dense foods and beverages within basic food groups while staying within calorie needs
• con ntrol calorie intake to manage body weight
• be physically active every day
• increase daily intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat milk and milk products
• choose fats wisely for good health
• choose carbohydrates wisely for good health
• choose and prepare foods with less than 2,300 mg (1 teaspoon of salt) per day.  At the same time, consume potassium-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables (4,700mg/day)
• if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation
• keep food safe to eat

References

1. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005.  Available at: www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.  Accessed January 31, 2005.
2. Table D1-13: Revised USDA Food Intake Patterns for Meeting Recommended Nutrient Intake. In: 2005 Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.  Available at: www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/report.  Accessed on August 27, 2004.