There are a number of different reasons to follow a liquid diet. Your doctor may ask you to drink only certain types of liquids before or after a procedure. Or you may decide to follow a liquid diet to help you lose weight. Whatever the reason, be sure to consult your doctor about the appropriate types of liquids to consume on your diet.
Clear Liquid Diet
Your doctor may prescribe a clear liquid diet before a procedure or if you are experiencing problems with your digestive tract. A clear liquid diet consists of liquids you can see through when held up to the light, such as broth, apple juice, cranberry juice, clear soda, black coffee, plain tea, gelatin, fruit ice, Popsicles and water. These liquids require little digestion and do not leave any residue in your gastrointestinal tract. A clear liquid diet can help you stay hydrated, but will not meet your calorie and protein needs and should only be followed for a few days.
Full Liquid Diet
The full liquid diet is used as another medically prescribed diet as a transition between a clear liquid diet and a regular diet. The full liquid diet consists of all liquids and foods that turn into liquids at room temperature. Foods allowed on the full liquid diet include all of the liquids on the clear liquid diet in addition to orange juice, pudding, custard, butter, oil, plain ice cream, sherbet, strained cream soups, milk, milkshakes and nutritional supplements. A typical full liquid diet provides about 1,400 calories and 45 g of protein. If you need to follow a full liquid diet for an extended period of time, you can use nutritional supplements such as Ensure or Boost to help you meet your nutritional needs.
Weight Loss Liquid Diet
A liquid diet may also be used as a means to lose large amounts of weight over a short period of time. Liquid diets tend to be very low in calories, providing about 800 calories a day, according to the Weight-control Information Network. These diets are reserved for obese individuals who need to lose weight quickly for a medical procedure or for health reasons. Close medical monitoring is recommended when you follow a low-calorie liquid diet, and you should consult your doctor before starting one. Optifast is an example of a medical liquid weight loss diet. On the Optifast plan, you replace all of your meals with a specially prepared liquid shake. Individuals who follow the Optifast plan usually lose 52 lb. over a 22-week period, according to the Optifast website. In addition to helping you lose weight, Optifast also offers nutrition counseling to help you keep the weight off. Weight regain is common after following a liquid diet.
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