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janetson Asked July 2021

Is it correct to chart a 4oz Magic Cup as 4 ounces of fluid?

Magic Cup, an ice cream style food with protein. (I am not sure if it should be charted as a fluid.) Available on Amazon. Mom likes it.

GardenArtist Jul 2021
I would think that anything intended to and/or actually consumed should be charted.   The staff and especially nutritionists need to be aware of how much an individual is able to consume.    As to personal use, while a Magic Cup is semi-solid, it will melt, just as ice cream will, and there's a distinction between someone consuming 4 oz. of fluid vs. 4 oz. of solid food.

My experience is that this is used when dysphagia is present, including monitoring when an  individual is unable to consume less and less and the actual consumption dwindles to a teaspoon at a time, with a lot left in the container.

disgustedtoo Jul 2021
"...a fluid restricted diet..."

How restricted? The old "standard" used too often is 64oz (Eight 8oz glasses.) This was contorted from the person who came up with this "average" amount needed. The original 64oz includes ANY fluids taken in through foods - yes, foods also have fluid associated with them! The actual need for drinking fluids is much less that 64oz and will vary depending on the person's size, activity level and where they live (hotter areas likely require more fluid intake.)
[webmd says:
"Approximately 80% of our water intake comes from drinking water and other beverages, and the other 20% comes from food." ]

In the case of this item, it would be best to ask the MFG, but, this site lists the fluid content of some items:

https://www.drugs.com/cg/fluid-restriction-aftercare-instructions.html#

Consistency wise, these two from that list are likely the closest:

1 cup of ice cream (100 mL) or sherbet (127 mL)
1 cup of yogurt (182 mL) or cottage cheese (185 mL)

Using 1/2 of the total of both, it's about 156ml, which is about 0.66 cups. In lieu of getting exact info from the MFG, figure it's a bit more than 1/2 cup.

(you can see from the full list, which is really somewhat limited, that non-beverage items DO contain fluids, which tally into your total intake.)

One more site to list:
https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/basics/food-that-counts-as-fluid-on-the-kidney-diet

If fluid restriction is due to compromised kidneys, this might be helpful, as it lists some foods that have fluid associated with them, but are deemed "okay" to eat and not count. Might be useful for anyone on a restricted fluid diet.

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Countrymouse Jul 2021
Why wouldn't it be? What about a Magic Cup would affect its capacity? - if it's described as 4oz, presumably it holds 4oz, no?

If the issue is about charting only fluid that has been observed to have been drunk, then that's different - but it's the same issue whatever the fluid has been given in. Isn't it? What am I missing???

NeedHelpWithMom Jul 2021
I would call a dietitian to find out or see if you can find an answer online.

NeedHelpWithMom Jul 2021
My mom recently died. She was a tiny woman. She never did have a big appetite, but she did enjoy ice cream. I used to buy her single serve cups for her to have as a treat. I am glad that your mom likes this product. Thank you for sharing information with caregivers about this product that your mom enjoys.

Have you tried it? Does it taste like real ice cream?

Just looked at the reviews. Most people like it. Some say it is too sweet. They have regular, quite high in sugar, 31 grams, but they offer a sugar free variety too.

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