The four types of special diets are medical diets, therapeutic diets, vegetarian diets, and elimination diets.
Medical diets are diets prescribed by a doctor or nutritionist for a specific medical condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. These diets are tailored to the individual's specific needs and are designed to help manage or prevent the condition. Typical foods that may be included in a medical diet include lean proteins, low-fat dairy, non-starchy vegetables, and complex carbohydrates.
Therapeutic diets are diets that are prescribed to reduce the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease or cancer. These diets are designed to include more of certain foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, while limiting or excluding other foods, such as processed foods, red meat, and refined carbohydrates.
Vegetarian diets are diets that exclude the consumption of animal-derived foods, such as meat, poultry, and seafood. These diets typically include plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and grains. There are several types of vegetarian diets, including vegan, lacto-vegetarian, and ovo-vegetarian.
Elimination diets are diets that involve eliminating certain foods from your diet for a period of time in order to identify foods that may be causing digestive distress, allergies, or other health issues. Foods commonly excluded on an elimination diet include dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, corn, and nightshades. After a period of elimination, the eliminated foods can be reintroduced one at a time to identify any food sensitivities or intolerances.