Your body uses protein as a basic nutrient, as proteins are found in every cell, tissue and organ you have. If you're on an all-liquid diet, you generally have the same nutritional needs as before, and you need to ensure that you get enough from liquid sources. Talk to a medical professional before you begin any new diet or need medical advice about your particular nutritional needs.
Protein
Your body is constantly breaking down proteins and replacing them by building new proteins. When you eat protein, your body breaks it down into its component parts, known as amino acids, and then uses those acids to make the kinds of proteins your body needs. Dietary proteins come in two categories: complete proteins that contain all the essential amino acids you need, and incomplete proteins that do not.
Protein Needs
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the amount of protein you need per day depends on two key factors: your age and your sex. A male aged 14 to 18, for example, needs 52 g of protein per day, while a female of the same age needs only 46 g per day. The average man over the age of 18 needs 56 g of protein per day, while the average women maintains the need for only 46 g per day.
Sources
Protein is found in meats, beans, nuts and other products, many of which are not exactly suited to your needs if you're adopting an all-liquid diet. However, you can liquify some foods or add high-protein foods to your liquids to ensure you get enough protein in your diet. For example, eggs and milk both contain protein and are easily added to liquids such as protein shakes. You can also use dietary supplements that add protein to liquids, such as protein powders, to increase your protein intake.
Special Needs
If you're an athlete or someone who has special nutritional needs, the amount of protein you need to ingest each day will differ from everyone else. For example, if you are an athlete and want to build muscle mass, you have to ingest between 0.6 to 0.9 g of protein for every pound you weigh, according to Rice University. This means that a 200 lb. man wound have to eat between 120 and 180 g of protein per day.
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