What is a therapeutic diet primarily ordered for?

A therapeutic diet is primarily ordered to either eliminate, decrease, or increase specific nutrients in the diet to address medical conditions or specific health needs. This type of diet is tailored to help individuals manage various health issues, such as diabetes, hypertension, food allergies, or malnutrition, by focusing on precise nutrient control.

In therapeutic diets, the alteration of nutrient intake is guided by clinical evidence and patient-specific data. For example, individuals with diabetes may need to reduce carbohydrate intake, while someone with anemia may require increased iron. This approach ensures that the diet supports the individual's health objectives while addressing their medical requirements.

The other options, while related to food and nutrition, do not accurately capture the primary purpose of therapeutic diets. Promoting weight loss, improving taste, and providing unrestricted nutrients are considerations in broader dietary practices but do not specifically define the intent behind therapeutic diets. The core focus of these diets is on the modification of nutrient composition to achieve improved health outcomes.