Energy Allowance:

Energy Allowance: The  patient's requirement for  energy  varies with the physical activity and physiological condition. For instance, consider a person confined to bed. He tends to consume less than the one undergoing physical exertion. An example of a physiological state that leads to an increase in caloric needs is fever. A diet high in calories  is  indicated for under nourished patients. They are advised to take more of energy-dense foods such as  starchy  foods, sweets,  cereals, butler and oils. While a low-calorie diet is indicated for all obese patients. The  patient is encouraged to eat three meals a day, not  to eat in-between the meals and  to avoid energy-dense foods. These consist of raw and cooled vegetables, fruits,  egg, meat,  fish, chicken  and skimmed milk with a  low intake of cereals. An individual's energy requirement  can be determined calculating either:

-  required number of Kcal/kg/day  OR

-  percentage increase over  basal metabolic demands.