Health · England
Food plans for your health
Your browser or device provides the reading voice.
Some health conditions need a special food plan.
Your plan should fit your own needs.
Ask why a food plan is needed.
Learning disability alone is not a reason to restrict food.
A dietitian is a trained food and nutrition professional.
They can help make sure you get enough nutrition.
Different conditions need different plans.
Do not copy another person’s diet.
Gluten is a protein in wheat and some other grains.
Some tests need you to keep eating gluten.
Ask before starting a gluten-free diet.
Food allergies need an agreed safety plan.
Supporters should know what to do in an emergency.
Some epilepsy treatments use a special ketogenic diet.
Only start this with a specialist team.
Tell your team about all your health conditions.
Ask them to make advice work together.
Do not limit drinks unless your clinical team advises this.
Do not add thickener without your swallowing team’s plan.
Your favourite foods, culture and choices matter.
Ask about suitable choices you enjoy.
Tell your team if eating or treatment is difficult.
Do not cut out foods because someone promises a cure.
Ask when your plan will be checked again.
Get advice if you lose weight or cannot eat enough.
What you can do next
Use the worksheet to prepare your questions.
Keep a copy of your agreed professional plan.
Talk with your dietitian or health team Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- NHS: diagnosing coeliac disease Web page
Do not begin a gluten-free diet before specialist confirmation; removing gluten can affect tests.
- NHS: food allergy Web page
Assessment, avoiding diagnosed allergens, individual emergency plans and checking ingredients.
- NHS: food intolerance Web page
Dietitian support and why unverified tests or multiple exclusions can cause harm.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Food plans for particular health conditions
Get individual dietary advice when a health condition affects what you eat or drink.
Children and adults · England · Individual dietetic and medical advice
Start with the reason for the plan
A medical diet changes food or drinks to manage a particular health condition. Ask what the diagnosis is, how the change should help, the possible disadvantages and when it will be reviewed. Learning disability alone is not a reason to restrict food. Explore pain, constipation, dental problems, swallowing, sensory needs and access to meals when someone eats less or changes their eating.
Ask for the right specialist
A GP or treating clinician can advise on assessment and referral to a registered dietitian. Different dietitians specialise in areas such as metabolic conditions, allergies, diabetes, kidneys or learning disability. Ask who is responsible for coordinating advice when more than one team is involved. Bring current prescriptions, supplements, food plans and what the person likes or finds difficult.
Coeliac disease and gluten
Coeliac disease involves an immune reaction to gluten that damages the small bowel. Confirmed coeliac disease needs a gluten-free diet and advice about contamination and suitable alternatives. Do not start a gluten-free diet before the diagnostic process is complete unless the specialist directs this: removing gluten can make tests inaccurate. If gluten has already been removed, tell the clinician and ask how testing can be done safely.
Food allergy and intolerance are different
A food allergy can cause a serious reaction; intolerance is a different problem with digesting or responding to a food. Ask for an appropriate assessment rather than relying on a commercial home test. For a diagnosed allergy, follow the allergy team’s avoidance and emergency plan, check ingredients and make sure supporters know how to use prescribed emergency medicine. Call 999 for a suspected severe allergic reaction and follow the emergency plan immediately.
PKU and other metabolic conditions
Some inherited conditions require closely measured food intake and specialist products. PKU treatment controls phenylalanine, part of protein, while meeting nutritional needs. Other metabolic conditions may need very different treatment. A general low-protein diet is not an interchangeable solution. Use the metabolic team’s prescription, blood monitoring and illness advice; ask before making substitutions or fasting.
Medical ketogenic diets for epilepsy
A ketogenic diet is a specialist treatment that changes the balance of nutrients for some people with epilepsy. It needs assessment, an individual prescription and monitoring by an experienced team, including a dietitian. It is not an ordinary weight-loss diet and is not suitable for everyone. Medicines and supplements also need checking. Never start it independently or stop anti-seizure medicine because a diet is being considered.
Diabetes, kidney disease and fluids
Diabetes care should match food, activity and any medicines, including an agreed plan for illness or low blood sugar where relevant. Kidney-related dietary changes depend on clinical assessment and blood results; not everyone needs the same restrictions. A fluid limit should only be used when individually prescribed. Ask teams to resolve conflicting advice rather than choosing between plans yourself.
Prader-Willi syndrome and eating support
Prader-Willi syndrome can affect hunger, nutrition and weight, requiring knowledgeable clinical and practical support. Use the existing syndrome guide and ask for an individual dietetic plan that considers age, health, access to food and emotional wellbeing. Do not use punishment, humiliation or a generic calorie limit. Any restriction needs an appropriate justification, consent or lawful decision-making and regular review.
Autism, restricted eating and unsupported claims
NICE advises against exclusion diets to manage the core features of autism in adults. An autistic person can still have a separate condition, such as coeliac disease or allergy, needing treatment. Avoid removing several foods because of unverified tests or claims of a cure. For a very limited range of foods, anxiety or sensory distress, seek assessment for nutritional needs and possible ARFID, while respecting foods the person can currently manage.
Swallowing plans and medical diets must work together
If swallowing is difficult, involve a speech and language therapist as well as a dietitian. Any recommended texture or drink thickness must be compatible with medical dietary needs, hydration and medicines. Do not add thickener or change a tube feed independently. Ask for exact professional instructions, training, review and a contact for shortages or problems.
Protect nutrition, choice and everyday life
Ask how the plan provides enough energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and fluid for this person. Include preferred foods, culture, religion, budget, shops, cooking and meals with friends. Agree accessible ways to choose between suitable options. Staff convenience is not a reason to remove choices. A learning disability does not automatically remove capacity to make a particular decision about food.
Keep one current plan and know when to ask for help
With permission, share the agreed plan across home, education, work, respite and hospital. Record the reason, author, date, prescriptions, review and who to contact. Ask promptly about unintended weight loss, low intake, dehydration, persistent vomiting or missing essential supplies; severe illness needs urgent help. Review when health or treatment changes. The worksheet records questions and agreed professional advice; it is not a diet prescription.
Words you could use
“Please explain why this food plan is needed, check that it meets my nutrition and communication needs, and coordinate it with my other treatment and choices.”
More useful links
- NHS: diagnosing coeliac disease Web page
Do not begin a gluten-free diet before specialist confirmation; removing gluten can affect tests.
- NHS: food allergy Web page
Assessment, avoiding diagnosed allergens, individual emergency plans and checking ingredients.
- NHS: food intolerance Web page
Dietitian support and why unverified tests or multiple exclusions can cause harm.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 1 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- NHS: diagnosing coeliac disease Web page
Do not begin a gluten-free diet before specialist confirmation; removing gluten can affect tests.
- NHS: food allergy Web page
Assessment, avoiding diagnosed allergens, individual emergency plans and checking ingredients.
- NHS: food intolerance Web page
Dietitian support and why unverified tests or multiple exclusions can cause harm.
- GOV.UK: phenylketonuria, detailed information Web page
England newborn screening, diagnosis, metabolic teams and monitored dietary treatment.
- NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service: medicines and ketogenic diets Web page
Medical ketogenic diets require an individual specialist prescription and medicine review.
- NICE: support for autistic adults Web page
Do not use exclusion diets to manage the core features of autism in adults.
- NHS: living with chronic kidney disease Web page
Dietary advice depends on blood tests and the person’s clinical needs.
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS: restricting fluid intake Web page
Fluid restrictions are individual clinical instructions, not a rule for everyone.
- NHS: managing weight with a learning disability Web page
Supporting food choices, activity and assessment of both low and high weight.
- NHS: the Mental Capacity Act Web pageFuller information
Decision-specific capacity, support to decide, best interests and least restrictive care.
- NHS: treating coeliac disease Web page
Dietitian support, a gluten-free diet after diagnosis and cross-contamination.
- NHS: managing Prader-Willi syndrome Web page
Specialist support and individual dietetic care; needs change with age.
- NHS: epilepsy Web page
Specialist treatment options and the importance of not changing treatment independently.
A page for you to fill in
You can type your answers and download a copy.
You can also print a page to write or draw on.
Someone you trust can help you.