Liquid diets replace solid foods and are often prescribed by a doctor if you're unable to eat regular food due to surgery or have other medical procedures or conditions. Since these are severely-restricted diets and limit the number of calories and nutrition you can consume, you shouldn't stay on such a diet for a long period of time.
Types
There are two types of liquid diets, a clear liquid diet and a full liquid diet. The clear liquid diet includes foods that aren't heavily colored, such as apple juice, broth, some gelatin and tea. A full liquid diet falls between clear liquids and a soft food diet, and includes foods that are liquid or will become liquid at room temperature.
Significance
A clear liquid diet is most commonly used prior to procedures such as a colonoscopy, so that your intestines are empty and won't mask potential polyps and tumors or contain any red-colored foods that might be mistaken as blood. Clear liquid diets are also sometimes recommended if you're suffering from nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, or following certain types of surgery. You may be upgraded to a full liquid diet as a way to transition you back to eating soft foods.
Considerations
If you can't get enough calories and protein from your liquid diet, you may need nutrition supplements such as formulas and instant breakfast powders. Since many of these products contain milk products, you should check the labels carefully if you're sensitive to lactose or have a milk allergy.
Recommendations
You should aim for three meals and two to three snacks every day you're on the diet to keep your energy levels stable. With both types of liquid diets, you should be able to swallow all foods without chewing, although it's okay to add a small amount of herbs and spices. For a clear liquid diet, you can choose from foods such as apple or white grape juice, strained citrus juices, broth or bouillon, soft drinks such as ginger ale, gelatin and plain popsicles. You should avoid any food you can't see through, as well as all dairy. A full liquid diet can add in foods such as cooked cereal, soft dairy products, and pureed fruits, vegetables and fish.
Warning
If you are asked to follow a liquid diet prior to a medical test or procedure, you should follow the instructions to the letter, or your appointment may have to be rescheduled and you'll have to go through the diet process all over again. If you're being prescribed a liquid diet due to digestive problems and you don't follow the diet, you may experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gas or bloating. Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, you shouldn't follow a clear liquid diet for longer than three days.
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