What must therapeutic diets be based on according to the attending physician?

Therapeutic diets must be planned by a registered dietitian as this professional is trained to create meal plans that take into consideration a patient's medical condition, nutritional needs, and dietary restrictions. A registered dietitian has the necessary expertise to ensure that the diet will not only support the patient's health goals but also adhere to clinical guidelines and best practices. This careful planning is essential to optimize the therapeutic benefits of the diet while ensuring that it meets the overall health requirements of the patient.

While patient preferences can be important and dietary restrictions must be recognized, these aspects should be incorporated into a diet plan that a registered dietitian designs. Preparing diets solely by nursing staff or focusing exclusively on dietary restrictions without the guidance of a dietitian would not meet the standard of care needed for therapeutic diets. Therefore, the involvement of a registered dietitian is key to ensuring that the therapeutic diet is comprehensive and effectively tailored to the patient's specific health needs.