1. Not a Typical Long-Term Weight-Loss Diet
When we hear the word diet, we immediately think of months and months of cutting calories and denying ourselves our favorite foods. The clear liquid diet, however, is not such a diet. Not meant for long-term use, the clear liquid diet is mostly used for surgery preparation or after surgery before solid foods can once again be eaten. A clear liquid diet is also used prior to medical tests of the digestive tract, such as a colonoscopy or endoscopy. It might also be used to keep your body hydrated if you're suffering from repeated attacks of vomiting or diarrhea.
2. A Diet You Can See Through
A clear liquid diet is just what the name implies: a diet where you consume only liquids you can see through. Like milk or cream in your tea or coffee? Not on the clear liquid diet. Prefer root beer or Coca-Cola over ginger ale or 7-Up? You'll have to do away with those dark-colored sodas until you're off the clear liquid diet. You can add some flavor to the diet by consuming fruit ices or Popsicles made from fruit juices, but depending on what you're using the diet for, you might have to stay away from certain colors such as red or purple.
3. More Than Just Broth and Water
You might immediately assume that clear liquid would mean only water and chicken broth. But the list of things you are allowed while following a clear liquid diet is actually a bit longer than you might think. Fruit juices (without pulp, so apple juice is okay, but orange juice is not), gelatin, hard candies, sports drinks, honey and jelly are all permissible while on the clear liquid diet. Make sure that everything is room temperature before you consume it.
4. You Can Look But You Better Not Touch
As you might suspect (or fear), the list of those things you can't eat is a lot longer than that which you can. Basically, whatever you have to chew to swallow is out as long as you are on the clear liquid diet. Meats, vegetables, all dairy products, breads and all grain products, cream soups, dark-colored beverages, fruit juices made from any fruits that have pulp and butter and margarine are all forbidden. If the diet is being prior to a medical test such as a colonoscopy, some allowed foods in colors like red are also not allowed.
5. Not a Diet You Want to Stick To
As stated, a clear liquid diet is not a long-term diet you would use to lose weight. The nutritional value of a liquid diet is very low. If you need to be on this diet for any extended period of time (usually more than three days), you need to take a liquid nutrition supplement. You can use a clear liquid diet to "cleanse" your digestive tract, but return immediately to your normal diet after a day or two.
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