A liquid diet involves abstaining from solid foods for a certain amount of time for medical purposes. If you've been prescribed a liquid diet, your doctor may have specified the parameters of your diet. If not, understanding the ins and outs of liquid diets can ensure you get the benefits as well as avoid the risks involved.
Purpose
A medically supervised liquid diet generally has two purposes, according to the National Institutes of Health. Your doctor may prescribe a liquid diet before surgery -- especially surgeries involving the digestive or gastrointestinal systems -- in order to clear out your system. Other liquid diets are used as a short-term treatment for certain digestive problems such as diarrhea or vomiting, or when your body can't handle certain types -- or any type -- of solid food. A liquid diet may also come in handy after some surgeries, according to MayoClinic.com.
Types
The two main types of liquid diets are a full liquid diet and a clear liquid diet. The full liquid diet is less restrictive and involves eating any type of food in liquid form, including creamed soups, milk, yogurt, pudding and other liquid-type foods. A clear liquid diet restricts you to only clear-type fluids, such as strained fruit juices, sports drinks, gelatin and broths.
Considerations
Depending on the type of treatment or test you're undergoing, your doctor may ask you to avoid certain types of liquids on your specific liquid diet. For example, if you're undergoing a colon exam, your doctor may ask you to observe a clear liquid diet, but stay away from red food coloring, such as that found in gelatin, according to MayoClinic.com.
Recommended Foods
Dairy is one of the recommended foods on a full liquid diet, since it is usually higher in calories than most liquids, and also contains higher amounts of fat. Consider adding milk or cream to your soups on a liquid diet in order to get enough fat and calories. Coffee and tea are allowed on a clear liquid diet -- even with sugar added -- but avoid adding cream to the mix, since it's not considered a clear liquid.
Warning
A liquid diet should only be undertaken with a doctor's supervision. Going without solid foods for too long can deprive your body of the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly. Don't panic if you accidentally eat something you're not supposed to on a liquid diet. Simply stop and abstain from any more solids for the remainder of your diet period. Call your doctor if you think you may have eaten too much before surgery.
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