Final answer:
A therapeutic or modified diet is designed to manage specific medical conditions. It's essential to be cautious when selecting diets, as some may be unhealthy fads. Therapeutic diets should be distinguished from popular diets, which may not always be scientifically supported.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term therapeutic or modified diet is often associated with eating plans designed to prevent or treat specific health conditions. Such diets are tailored to the nutritional needs of individuals with particular medical concerns, such as diabetes, and are usually developed under the guidance of healthcare professionals.
While some of these diets are nutritionally balanced, it is crucial to exercise caution with diet plans, especially those that might be considered fads or are so extreme that they can lead to other health issues.
Popular diets can often be mistaken for therapeutic diets, but it's important to differentiate between the two. Therapeutic diets are based on medical and nutritional science to address specific health problems, while popular diets might not always be backed by scientific evidence and could potentially be harmful.