There are basically two types of liquid diets: medically supervised and over-the-counter. Doctor-prescribed liquid diets are usually given to obese patients who need to lose a dramatic amount of weight in a short time for health reasons or to prepare for surgery. Homemade and over-the-counter liquid diets, on the other hand, can work for almost anybody when done well.
Step 1
Develop strategies to deal with hunger. Liquid diets are very low in calories (usually 400 to 800 a day) and will leave you feeling hungry, sluggish and craving solid food. One way to deal with this is to keep a journal through the diet, writing down your feelings and reactions to food and lack of it. You can also learn to meditate, take a gentle exercise class, such as yoga or Pilates, or keep a book or a DVD nearby to distract you when food cravings begin.
Step 2
Focus your diet on vegetable juices, which are high in fiber but low in sugar and calories. Fruit juices are OK in moderation, and better if you restrict them to the first half of the day, when the sugars consumed can be burned off through normal activities.
Step 3
Add soups, water and herbal teas to the mix. Both hot and cold drinks are acceptable. Stay away from anything that has sugar or added flavorings or preservatives. Coffee is fine in the morning, but limit your consumption of caffeine throughout the day, as it dehydrates your body.
Step 4
Consider buying replacement or protein shakes. They're a good way to obtain complete nutrition while on a liquid diet, and they come in flavors such as chocolate and vanilla. Stick to meal replacement drinks rather than diet shakes, as the former are more nutritious and contain no artificial ingredients.
Step 5
Have a light dinner of lean protein and non-starchy vegetables if you're feeling dizzy, nauseous or too tired from consuming only liquids. If you keep the meal small, it won't interfere with your weight loss efforts and can help by stabilizing blood sugar and providing muscle-building protein.
Tips and Warnings
- You might be too tired for intense exercise, but you can still keep active while following a liquid diet. Taking a walk, biking in the afternoons or participating in a yoga or Tai Chi class can help you increase the weight loss without taking too much of a toll.
- Always talk to your doctor before starting an extreme diet. This is especially important if you have diabetes or other medical conditions that could be affected by severely limiting your intake of food.
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