Health care providers recommend liquid diets for a variety of reasons including preparation for medical tests, recovery from surgery or resting the digestive system during an illness. Some liquid diets are more restrictive than others, so follow your health care provider's instructions exactly to avoid complications or unpleasant symptoms after eating the wrong type of food. For example, a weight loss surgery patient on a clear liquid who consumes full-strength orange juice may experience gas, bloating, diarrhea and abdominal cramping related to the sugar content of the juice, cautions Linda Aills, R.D., co-author of an article published in the September 2008 issue of "Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases."
General Rules
In general, liquid diets include any food that becomes fluid at room temperature even if the food is a solid when refrigerated or frozen. Clear liquid diets include any fluid through which you can see when it is poured into a glass. Full liquid diets, also called liquid diets, allow clear and creamy liquids. Certain individuals on clear or full liquid diets must avoid sugar, carbonation or caffeine because of surgical or medical conditions.
Purpose
The purpose of the liquid diet dictates the type of foods allowed. Before a colonoscopy, for example, you should only consume clear liquids that leave no residue in the bowels that would interfere with the test results. While after surgery for a broken jaw, an otherwise healthy patient can eat any food that can be blended and thinned to a liquid consistency, according to the Ohio State Medical Center. Weight loss surgery patients need to allow their digestive systems to heal before starting solid foods and as such, can consume only sugar-free, carbonation-free, caffeine-free clear liquids for the first day or so, followed by about 14 days of full liquids, states Aills, R.D.
Clear Liquid Diet
Unless otherwise instructed, on a clear liquid diet, you may consume liberal amounts of water, gelatin, broth, ice pops, strained fruit juices, coffee and tea, according to the Jackson-Siegelbaum Gastroenterology Clinic website. After weight loss surgery, you may drink water, sugar-free ice pops or gelatin, broth, herbal tea and decaffeinated coffee, according to Aills. Some bariatric surgeons allow diluted fruit juices, but others believe fruit juice may cause dumping syndrome -- gas, abdominal cramping and diarrhea, which occur shortly after ingesting sugary foods. Clear liquid diets lack protein, minerals and vitamins, so should not be continued for more than 48 hours.
Full Liquid Diet
If you are placed on a liquid or full liquid diet, you may drink clear liquids -- water, broth, juice, gelatin, tea, coffee and ice pops -- as well as creamy liquids such as pudding, milk, ice cream, cream soups and milkshakes, according to Medline Plus. A full liquid diet provides about 45 grams of protein a day and up to 1,500 calories, which means it provides enough nutrition to sustain a patient for long periods. A bariatric surgery patient on a full liquid diet, however, must choose low-fat, sugar-free foods to avoid unpleasant digestive symptoms and as such, the calorie content is lower.
References
- Ohio State Medical Center: Bariatric Step II Diet
- MedlinePlus: Diet - Full Liquid
- Jackson-Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Clear Liquid Diet
- Highland Hospital: Liquid Meal Plan
- “Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 4"; ASMBS Allied Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patients; Linda Aills, R.D., et al.; September 2008
- National Naval Medical Center; National Capital Area Surgical Weight Loss Program Nutrition Guidelines; May 2011
- Cleveland Clinic Florida; Medical Nutrition Therapy For Gastroparesis
- Ohio State Medical Center: Blenderized Diet for Jaw Wiring
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