CDED Diet

Phase 1: Induction

Weeks 1–6 · 50% of caloric intake from the CDED diet; 50% from Partial Enteral Nutrition (PEN).

⚕ Clinical notice: Educational summary of the historical 2019 scheme, with a partial portion review. It is not a complete protocol transcription or a substitute for an individualised dietary prescription. Adaptations and menu totals require clinical review.

Clinical safety and follow-up

These situations are not a list of absolute CDED contraindications. They require different actions and individual assessment.

Red flags: urgent assessment

Severe abdominal pain, heavy or non-stop bleeding, or vomiting blood: seek emergency care.
Persistent vomiting with distension and absent bowel transit, or marked deterioration in general condition: urgent assessment; do not try to manage this by changing the menu.

Do not wait to finish a diet phase or reach a fixed time point if the patient deteriorates.

Before starting or adapting the diet

Symptomatic stricture or suspected obstruction: medical assessment before prescribing foods or textures. The CDED phase does not determine a safe texture.
Malnutrition or very low intake: assess nutritional status and refeeding risk. In children, assess growth and anthropometry by age and sex, not a fixed adult BMI threshold.
Malnutrition alone does not indicate parenteral nutrition. It is reserved for situations where oral/enteral intake cannot meet needs or cannot be used, and for specific complications.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding or recent surgery: individual planning and nutritional follow-up. These do not automatically contraindicate all nutritional interventions.
Food allergy: check ingredients and product information. With cow milk protein allergy, do not use a formula containing intact milk protein; the clinical team must select an alternative, without automatic substitution.

Contact the team for reassessment

Ongoing weight loss, inadequate intake, poor tolerance or lack of response: bring review forward according to progress, without waiting three weeks if there is deterioration.
Rising CRP or faecal calprotectin: interpret alongside symptoms, examination and progress. An isolated marker does not by itself determine severity or the need for emergency care.

CDED requires gastroenterology and nutrition supervision. This reminder does not replace clinical assessment or an emergency care protocol.

Mandatory Foods

Must be consumed daily in the indicated amounts

Fresh chicken breast
Without skin, unprocessed. Daily minimum.
150–200 g/day
Eggs
2 units/day
Fresh potatoes
Peeled, cooked and cooled before consuming.
2 medium/day
Apple
Peeled.
1 unit/day
Bananas
2 units/day

50% of caloric intake comes from the CDED diet; 50% from Partial Enteral Nutrition (PEN).

Allowed Foods

Complement the diet within the indicated limits

Fresh white fish — 100–150 g (once/week only, as substitute for chicken; no canned or processed)
White rice, rice noodles or rice flour (no preservatives, unlimited quantity)
Ripe strawberries (max. 5 per day)
Avocado (max. 1 per day; max. ½ serving per meal)
Tomatoes (max. 2 per day or 6 cherry tomatoes per day)
Peeled cucumbers (max. 2 per day)
Carrot (max. 1 per day)
Fresh spinach (daily reference: 1 cup of raw leaves, measured before cooking; no conversion to grams)
Water, sparkling water and herbal teas (unlimited; lemon, lime, orange or mint may be added)
Freshly squeezed natural orange juice (max. 1 glass/day)
Olive or canola oil (for cooking)
Spices: salt, pepper, paprika, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric (to taste)
Fresh herbs: mint, oregano, coriander, rosemary, sage, basil, thyme, dill, parsley (to taste)
Natural flavourings: onion, garlic, ginger, lemon juice (to taste)
Honey (max. 3 tablespoons/day) or sugar (max. 4 teaspoons/day). These are reference limits, not required amounts.

Foods to Avoid

Completely excluded during Phase 1

All dairy products (milk, cheese, yoghurt, butter, cream)
Wheat and gluten (bread, wheat pasta, wheat flours)
Red or processed meats (beef, pork, lamb, cold cuts, sausages)
Ultra-processed foods and products with food additives
Soy and its derivatives (tofu, soy milk, edamame)
Oily or canned fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, anchovies)
Dried fruit and nuts
Sugary, alcoholic or caffeinated beverages