Table 3.

Diet Guidelines

Genetal Tips	Patients should consume 6-8 small meals or snacks per day and start with a 3-day diet record. Tailor the diet to the patient, and outline what they can eat. Patients should chew foods well. Written diet materials for short bowel syndrome are available at www.ginutrition.virginia.edu.
Protein	Patients should consume a high-quality protein at each meal and snack.
Carbohydrates	Generous complex carbohydrate intake (eg, pasta, rice, potato, bread) is recommended. Limit simple sugars and sugar alcohols in both foods and fluids; lactose may be tolerated and does not always need to be avoided. Do not use supplemental nutrition drinks.
Fat	Limit fat to <30% in patients with a colon; may need to limit in patients without a colon. Include oils with essential fatty acids (eg, sunflower, soy, walnut).
Oxalate	Limit if the colon is present; guarantee adequate urine output first.
Fluids	Consider oral rehydration solutions. All fluids may need to be limited in some patients and intravenous fluids given.
Salt	Increase salt intake in patients without a colon; continue usual intake in patients with a colon.
Fiber	Encourage some soluble fiber (in food) in patients with a colon segment.

Adapted from Parrish CR, DiBaise JK.¹⁴