One of the main reasons your health care provider may recommend a liquid diet is to give your intestinal tract a break because the foods involved are easily digested and leave little or no residue. So for instance, if you are suffering from IBD or other digestive problems, like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ischemic colitis, diverticulitis, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, then ingesting your food in the form of a liquid reduces intestinal irritation. While on a liquid diet your digestive tract is essentially at rest, which allows for uninterrupted healing.
Another instance for recommending only ingesting foods in liquid form is if some health condition is causing problems with chewing or swallowing. And should this diet be necessary beyond a few days, you may be advised to take liquid vitamins or minerals as well.
Prior to having certain digestive related medical procedure done (e.g. colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy), you may be required to consume only a clear liquid diet to rinse the bowel. Also, foods in liquid form are often what’s initially consumed after a surgery designed to aid in weight loss (gastric bypass, banding).
However, a basic liquid diet is usually not recommended by health care professionals for weight loss because it does not contain health sustaining calories and nutrients. Although taking in only liquid for a couple of days may not be disastrous to your health, the weight lost will be minimal and frequently regained when previous dietary habits are resumed.
There are different types of liquid diets, for instance clear or cold. A clear liquid diet consists of foods that are clear. Essentially the goal of a clear liquid diet is to empty your intestinal tract, while providing your body with some energy and preventing dehydration or electrolyte imbalances. Following are examples of foods that meet the criteria of a clear liquid diet:
- water
- honey
- gelatin
- sports drinks
- plain tea, coffee ~ sugar only
- clear broth, bouillon, consomme
- soda ~ ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, club soda
- fruit juice without pulp ~ apple, grape, cranberry
Should your health care provider give you a specific list of liquid foods, you must follow it instead.
A cold liquid diet may be recommended for tonsillitis or other throat problems. Here’s a sample list of foods for this type of diet:
- sherbet
- popsicle
- cold fruit shake
- cold cream soup
- cold soft custard
- cold jello, gelatin
- cold milk, yogurt
- iced, cold fruit juice
- cold blended fresh fruit
- ice cream without chunks
Depending on how long you are on a liquid diet, it is important you choose foods that provide the best source of protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins and minerals.