Clear liquid diets are often prescribed before procedures or surgeries or for a brief period in the recovery phase after a surgery. According to the Mayo Clinic, they can also be prescribed for certain digestive disorders for short periods of time. Clear liquid diets are not suggested for long term use because it is difficult to get enough calories and nutrients. In a clear liquid diet all the foods you take in should be absolutely clear liquids with no solids at all including the tiny solids such as pulp from fruit juice.
Broth
Clear meat broth is an excellent source of protein and nutrients that can be added safely to a clear liquid diet. Broth is rich in minerals and the proteins which are hard to get from fruit and vegetable juices. Quick Care, in their instructions for a clear liquid diet indicates that it is important that the broth you are drinking is just broth with nothing added to it. If it is in a glass container you should be able to see all the way through it.
Fruit or Vegetable Juice
Fruits and vegetable juices are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes if they are freshly juiced. Juices that are not recommended, according to Quick Care, are citrus juices and tomato juice. This is because they are not technically clear and when you hold them up to the light they are impossible to see through. Lemonade is an exception to the citrus rule, but should be strained to remove any pulp before drinking.
Gelatin
Gelatin, although it is technically solid when you eat it, is considered a liquid because your body converts it immediately to a liquid once it is eaten. This can include store bought gelatin products, or gelatin you make at home using fruit or vegetable juice. Again, the key point is that it is transparent and you can see all the way through it.
Popsicles
Popsicles, like gelatin, are solid when you eat them but are considered a liquid because they quickly melt into a liquid. It is important that these be absolutely clear liquid with no fruit pulp or dairy products in them. Dairy is never clear and always leaves solid residues in your GI tract, which is what you are trying to avoid.
Soda
Soda is permissible on a clear liquid diet but according to Quick Care it is important that there be no artificial sweeteners, that the soda be caffeine-free and that most of the fizz is gone from it.
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