Therapeutic and Personalized Dietary Approaches
What the exam tests
This domain tests evidence-based therapeutic diets, personalization, elimination and reintroduction, nutrient adequacy, and monitoring.
Core rules
- Match the dietary approach to the condition and the client: Mediterranean and DASH patterns have strong cardiometabolic evidence; low-FODMAP is for irritable bowel syndrome; elimination diets are for suspected food allergy or eosinophilic disorders under medical guidance.
- Personalization considers culture, budget, cooking ability, medications, and labs.
- Any restrictive diet requires a nutrient-adequacy check and a planned reintroduction or long-term supplementation where needed.
- For ketogenic diets, monitor electrolytes, constipation, and lipid response.
- Monitor symptoms, weight, energy, bowel function, and adherence rather than assuming benefit.
- Shared decision-making improves adherence.
Worked example
A client with IBS wants to try low-FODMAP. Reasoning: confirm the diagnosis and red flags, provide a structured four-to-six-week restriction phase with dietitian support, use a symptom and stool diary, then reintroduce one FODMAP group at a time. Do not continue long-term restriction without reintroduction. The reasoning is test, reintroduce, personalize.
Traps
- Applying one diet to everyone.
- Leaving clients on elimination diets indefinitely.
- Confusing food allergy with intolerance.
- Failing to monitor nutrient intake.