What is the primary goal of a therapeutic diet?

The primary goal of a therapeutic diet is to manage or alleviate specific health conditions. Therapeutic diets are tailored plans designed to support the treatment and management of medical issues such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, food allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, and other health concerns. These diets are carefully formulated with specific macronutrient distributions, food restrictions, and meal patterns that can help improve overall health, support recovery, and enhance the quality of life for individuals with particular health challenges.

In contrast to simply enhancing culinary flavors or increasing calorie intake, which can benefit general enjoyment or undernourished patients respectively, therapeutic diets focus specifically on dietary modifications that directly impact health outcomes. The emphasis is on managing symptoms, supporting nutritional requirements, and promoting healing rather than just adjusting flavor profiles or bulk calories.