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Fluid Restricted Diet
Alaine Mills, Dietetic Intern
1/21/2013-1/22/2013
What is a Fluid?
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A fluid is anything that is liquid or anything
that melts at room temperature.
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Some foods do not necessarily seem
liquid, but must be counted as part of a
patient’s fluid intake since they are liquid
at room temperature or have liquid as a
major ingredient.
Why Does a Patient Need a Fluid Restricted
Diet?
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For a patient who is on fluid restriction,
excessive fluid can lead to fluid overload
Fluid overload causes complications, such as
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swelling
shortness of breath
congestive heart failure
fluid in the lungs
fluid in the abdominal area
Diet Orders
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Common diet orders you may see a fluid
restriction with:
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Renal Diet
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Cardiac Mediterranean Diet
Traditional Examples of Fluids
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Water
Milk
Coffee
Tea: Hot and Iced
Juice
Soda
Lemonade
Nutritional supplements, such as Boost®
Other Examples of Fluids
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Ice cubes
Soup
Gelatin and Jell-O®
Ice cream
Sherbet
Sorbet
Freezer pops/Popsicles
Exceptions
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These foods contain water, but not a
significant amount and should not be counted
as a part of a patient’s fluid restriction
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Pudding
Oatmeal
Grits
Fruits
Vegetables
Custards
Planning the diet
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A patient’s fluid restriction should be broken
down into milliliters (mL’s) per tray
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If a fluid restriction is in place, but the amount
per tray is not specified, clarify with the nurse
before providing the patient’s tray
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Ask if it is total fluid or free water
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Foods that are liquid at room temperature
should be counted by milliliters (mL’s)
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Fluid is usually ordered in the form of cubic
centimeters or “CC’s”
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1 mL is equal to 1 cc
Conversions
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Milliliters can be converted from ounces
or cups as follows:
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30 ml =
120 ml =
180 ml =
240 ml =
960 ml =
1 fl oz
4 fl oz or ½ cup
6 fl oz or ¾ cup
8 fl oz or 1 cup
32 fl oz or 1 qt
Fluids in the Regular Diet
Amount of Fluid in Commonly Served
Items
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Small bottled water: 8 oz or 240ml
Tea (in small clear cup): 8 oz or 240ml
Pre-thickened water cup: 4oz or 120ml
Apple, Orange, Prune Juice in cup: 4 oz or
120ml
Milk Carton (skim, 1%, 2%, chocolate and
whole): 8 oz or 240ml
Coffee in black mug: 8 oz or 240ml
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional Supplements
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Some items have less free water than other fluids,
because of other ingredients.
 Boost Plus, Boost Glucose Control, Resource
Breeze, Resource Diabetishield
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~200ml
Novasource Renal
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170ml
Fluid Content of Foods
Fluid Content of Foods
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These foods should be counted as a part of the
allowed fluid for the day
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Soup (6 oz) in black bowl: 150ml
Jello (2 ½ Oz) in dessert dish: 100ml
Ice cream/Sherbet (4 oz): 95ml
Popsicles (whole) : 80ml
Pre-thickened water cups (4oz): 120ml
What is a Free Water Restriction?
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A free water restrictions means patients can
have all fluids EXCEPT WATER.
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All other fluids can be served as usual