Fat-controlled diet: indications and contraindications

Omitting and/or limiting fat-containing foods restricts the total amount of fat in the diet. The type of fat is not considered.

Indications

A fat-controlled diet is indicated for individuals who are unable to properly digest, metabolize, and absorb fat. Common diseases of the hepatobiliary tract, pancreas, intestinal mucosa, and lymphatic system impair fat digestion, metabolism, and absorption.

Contraindications

In pancreatic insufficiency, enzyme preparations remain the primary treatment for steatorrhea. As normal a diet as possible is encouraged to increase the likelihood that a nutritionally adequate diet will be consumed. The diet should restrict fat only to the individual’s tolerance level. The treatment of choice for gallstones at the present time, where indicated, is surgery. There is no reason in the postoperative period to restrict or modify fat intake in any way.

Nutritional Adequacy

Vitamin E intake will be lower than in a regular diet. However, the requirement for vitamin E is proportional to the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which will also be reduced in a Fat-Controlled Diet.

Beverages and Milk

Coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, fat-free milk or buttermilk, evaporated skim, nonfat dry milk, and skim or low-fat yogurt.
Not allowed: whole, reduced-fat, evaporated, condensed, or chocolate milk, yogurt made from whole milk, cocoa mixes

Breads, Cereals and Grains

Whole-grain or enriched breads, dinner rolls, cereals and grains, pasta, plain crackers.
Not allowed: quick breads such as muffins, biscuits, rich or sweet rolls, doughnuts, pancakes, waffles, party crackers, potato chips, granola unless calculated into diet

Meat, Fish, Poultry, Cheese, Eggs (average 3 to 5 g fat/oz)(limit intake to 5 oz/day)

Lean meat (trimmed of visible fat), fish, and fowl (without skin). The following are equal to 1 oz meat: 1 egg, ¼ cup tuna, salmon (water-packed), or cottage cheese. The following low-fat cheeses are allowed (one serving per day): 1oz low fat or fat free milk cheeses (sapsago, mozzarella, farmer’s) or ¼ cup 1% cottage or ricotta cheese. 
Not allowed: fried or fatty meats, such as luncheon meats, cured and processed meats, other cheeses

Vegetables

Any prepared without fat. Not allowed: vegetables in cream sauces or gravies, fried vegetables including potatoesFats (limit intake to 5 tsp/day; use no more than 2 servings/meal) (Average: 1 tsp fat = 5 g fat)Butter, margarine, vegetable oil, crisp bacon (1 strip = 1 tsp fat). 
Not allowed: cream, avocado, nuts, coconut, olives, peanut butter

Soup

Any soups made with fat free milk or fat free broth. Not allowed: commercially canned soups, cream soups, soups containing fat or whole milk

Desserts

Fruit, sherbet, sorbet, fat-free frozen desserts, gelatin, angel food/sponge cake, low fat cookies (gingersnaps, vanilla wafers), fat-free cakes, puddings made with fat free milk, meringues. 
Not allowed: ice milk, ice cream, pie, cake, cookies, pastries, any desserts made with shortening, chocolate, cream, nuts, or fat

Sweets

Sugar, jelly, honey, syrups with no fats, molasses, plain marshmallows, hard candy. 
Not allowed: any containing chocolate, nuts, cream, coconut, butter-flavored or fudge syrup

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