low-fat diet

low-fat diet

Etymology: ME, low; AS, faett; Gk, diaita, life-style

a diet containing limited amounts of fat and consisting chiefly of easily digestible foods of high carbohydrate content. It includes all vegetables, lean meats, fish, fowl, pasta, cereals, and whole wheat or enriched bread. Egg yolk and fatty meats are restricted. Meat, eggs, butter and margarine, cream, fried foods, foods prepared in fats, oils, gravy, cheese, peanut butter, nuts, and olives are omitted or restricted. Experts recommend that no more than 30% of one's daily calories should come from fatty foods and that no more than 10% should come from saturated fats. A typical low-fat diet providing approximately 1700 calories per day would contain 85 grams of protein, 220 grams of carbohydrate, and 50 grams of fat. Low-fat diets supply 10% to 15% of total energy as fat and may be indicated in gallbladder disease, obesity, heart disease, malabsorption syndromes, and hyperlipidemia.

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diet

the customary amount and kind of food and drink taken by an animal from day to day; more narrowly, a diet planned to meet specific requirements of the animal, including or excluding certain foods. See also winter diet.

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acid diet

diets of low alkalinity which are fed to cows to prevent milk fever. The diet in the 4 weeks preceding parturition, which is ordinarily highly alkaline, is supplemented with calcium chloride, and aluminum and magnesium sulfates, to reduce this alkalinity.

bland diet

one that is free from any irritating or stimulating foods.

calcium homeostatic diet

a diet aimed at maintaining normal blood levels of calcium in recently calved cows.

calculolytic diet

formulated to aid in the dissolution of struvite uroliths. Usually provides a low intake of protein, restricts phosphorus and magnesium, and acidifies the urine. Additional salt may also be included. These have been used successfully in dogs and cats.

deficient diet

see nutritional deficiency disease.

drought feeding diet

see drought feeding.

elemental diet

contains nutrients as small molecular weight compounds, i.e. proteins as amino acids or peptides, carbohydrates as oligosaccharides or monosaccharides, and fats as medium-chain triglycerides. Used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disease. Called also monomeric diet.

elimination diet

one for diagnosing food allergy, based on the sequential omission of foods which might cause the clinical signs in the patient.

geriatric diet

may vary in composition; generally, they are formulated to provide lower energy intake and increased digestibility.

gluten-free diet

one without wheat, rye, barley, buckwheat, or oats or related products.

high-calorie diet, high-energy diet

one that furnishes more calories than needed for maintenance; used to increase body condition, in recovery from illness and for maintenance under stressful conditions.

high-fiber diet

one relatively high in dietary fiber; in dogs and cats, used in the management of large and small bowel diarrhea, diabetes mellitus, constipation and obesity.

high-protein diet

one containing large amounts of protein; used in the management of dogs and cats recovering from illness.

home-prepared diet

one prepared in the home kitchen, in contrast with commercially prepared pet foods.

hypoallergenic diet

one formulated to avoid suspected allergens; usually used in the management of allergic skin or bowel disease.

liquid diet

a diet limited to liquids or to foods that can be changed to a liquid state.

low-calorie diet

one containing fewer calories than needed to maintain weight; normally used in management of obesity in dogs and cats.

low-fat diet

one containing limited amounts of fat; used in the management of pancreatic disease, bowel disease, and obesity in dogs and cats.

low-fiber diet

see low-residue diet (below).

low purine diet

in dogs and cats, generally a low-meat diet.

low-residue diet

one with a minimum of cellulose and fiber and restriction of connective tissue found in certain cuts of meat. It is prescribed for irritations of the intestinal tract, after surgery of the large intestine, in partial intestinal obstruction, or when limited bowel movements are desirable. Called also low-fiber diet.

low vitamin A diet

one containing low levels of vitamin A; in dog and cat diets, this would mean little or no organ meats. The only probable indication for such a diet is in the treatment of hypervitaminosis A.

lower urinary tract disease diet

one that promotes acidification of the urine and containing restricted magnesium and phosphorus, and sometimes increased salt.

monomeric diet

see elemental diet (above).

phosphate-restricted diet

one containing restricted amounts of phosphorus; used in the management of chronic renal disease.

polymeric diet

meal replacement diets; fed to animals with almost normal gastrointestinal function. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates are present in high molecular weight forms.

sodium-restricted diet

used in management of congestive heart failure and systemic hypertension in dogs and cats.

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low-fat diet

A diet low in fats, especially saturated fats, which has a positive effect on arthritis, CA, ASHD, DM, HTN, obesity, and strokes. See Diet, Low-fat snack; Cf Animal fat, High-fat diet.