Medically imposed food restrictions may be difficult to accept or embrace, especially when you receive mixed messages regarding foods to include in your diet and foods to avoid. If you are told to avoid or restrict a specific food, your clinician should explain what the expected goal or outcome of this instruction is. For example, changing the texture or form of the food may make it easier for you to swallow or digest it, or prevent gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction or blockage. Dietary restrictions may be suggested to prevent or minimize unpleasant symptoms, such as bloating, reflux, diarrhea, dumping, constipation, or pain. Bowel rest may be important to decrease GI fluids, lessen GI irritation and inflammation, or promote healing.
Ask your doctor or health care practitioner to discuss the purpose and the intended outcome and goal of the “diet,” restriction, or food recommendation. Oftentimes, simply understanding the rationale and purpose of the
recommendation makes it more tolerable.
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