A partial liquid diet is not only a great way to get additional vitamins and nutrients, but it creates a good foundation for you to stay hydrated during a diet plan. According to the American Council on Exercise, one of the biggest benefits of drinking your calories is that it helps you lose weight, because the volume in liquid takes up more space in your stomach and keeps you from overeating. Careful planning and smart food choices can make partial liquid diets fun and effective.
Planning
Plan when you want to eat your calories and when you want to drink them. An example: for breakfast have a smoothie; for lunch you'll eat a meal; and for dinner you'll have a protein shake. Knowing exactly what you're eating and when can save you time by not always having to think about or remember what you want to eat for the day. Be sure to write down what foods you'll be including in your diet, and plan your diet according to your total daily caloric requirements. Try to spread your meals and liquid drinks evenly throughout the day. Use liquid drinks for times when you'll have less time to prepare or sit down to eat. Liquid drinks can be taken on the go and be blended ahead of time.
Water
For a liquid diet, water will be the main component. Water keeps you hydrated, helps aid in digestion and, when drank cold, can help provide a slight boost to your metabolism. According to Mayo Clinic, you should aim to get eight, 8-oz. glasses of water per day. Since water is not a significant source of nutrients, you should use it in conjunction with your meal plan, not as a meal replacement. Try to drink a glass of water every meal to stay hydrated throughout the day -- smoothies and other liquid drinks will include this amount already.
Smoothies
In order to boost the nutritional value of your partial liquid diet, add fruits and vegetables to your liquid drinks. Fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of water and are loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Fiber helps your body with digestion, can help lower bad cholesterol and keeps you feeling full longer which can help you keep your daily caloric intake low. Fruits are a bit higher in calories than vegetables so if you need to keep your intake low, use only about a cup of fruit with 8 ounces of water -- actual amounts will vary based on daily requirements.
Food Choices
During your partial liquid diet, drink plenty of water and you can at times use smoothies in place of meals, but you need to get the rest of your nutrients through food. Choose foods high in protein and that contain healthy fats. You can switch between eating or drinking fruits and vegetables when one method is more convenient than the other. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of complex carbohydrates; other sources include oatmeal, whole grains and whole wheat pasta. Protein sources include chicken, fish, turkey and legumes. Sources of healthy fats to include for meals include olive oil, nuts and avocados. Try to mix and match your meals and drinks to fit your taste and caloric requirements.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Water
- "Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant Manual"; American Council on Exercise; 2008
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