Clear Liquid Diet

Are you suffering from dehydration? A clear liquid diet may help you cure dehydration. Clear liquid diet includes sufficient amount of fluids, salts and minerals, which can play a vital role in providing you with the necessary energy. Clear liquid diet is recommended by a physician to a patient before and after a surgery of mouth or gastrointestinal tract when solid food consumption is not possible, as fluids are easily digestible. This diet is also prescribed for a person who is suffering from gastrointestinal problems. Clear liquid diet is high in calorie content and low in fat. It includes foods, such as meat soup, vegetable soup, bouillon, fresh fruit juices, clear fruit ices, popsicles, white gelatin desserts, clear carbonated drinks, etc.

Some Interesting Facts on Clear Liquid Diet

Apart from its certain therapeutic applications in clinics, clear liquid diet can also be prescribed for a person suffering from obesity. If you are suffering from obesity you may drink clear liquids, such as juices without pulp, soups, tea, etc. with other nutritious foods. This consumption of fluids may help you lose excess weight.

Regarding following a clear liquid diet, one must follow it according to the recommendation of a physician, as it is often prescribed as a colon cleanser for cleaning bowel before a test or diagnosis, such as sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy or certain X-ray tests.

Clear liquid diet may help you in case you are suffering from indigestion, diarrhea or nausea. In such cases, clear liquid diet is prescribed as a short-term diet. Clear liquids, like broths, fruit juices are easily digestible.

Generally, clear liquids have important minerals, such as sodium and potassium. However, even such a diet cannot be claimed to have all the necessary elements of nutrition. Therefore, it is often advised that a person should not depend only on clear liquid diet for more than four or five days. Here is a list of variety of foods a clear liquid diet offers.

Sweets and Desserts

• Gelatin
• Fresh hard candies
• Popsicles

Beverages

• Coffee
• Tea
• Lactose-free water
• Coffee
• Fresh fruit juices with no pulp
• Certain soft drinks that are considered to be a clear liquid diet

Soups

• Fat-free chicken soup with less amount of sodium
• Fat-free, beef soup with less amount of sodium

Don’t drink fluids that are red or purple in color

Clear liquid diet is often prescribed to a person before undergoing any test, as it helps in clearing the bowel. So, while purchasing gelatin, popsicles and other drinks, always remember not to purchase these in red or purple color, as red colored drink may leave a residue in your bowel that is similar to blood. This may mislead while diagnosing a disease.

Some instructions when following a clear liquid diet

• Approach a doctor and make a list according to his/her instructions
• Drink white apple juice, grape juice without pulp
• Drink fruit pops
• Drink broth that has no solid particles
• You may add lemon or lime flavored gelatin to your diet
• Avoid all kinds of dairy products, meats and vegetables

Clear liquid diet may help you feel better until you are able to consume solid foods. However, before following any tips on clear liquid diet, you should consult your dietitian, nutritionist or doctor, on what to consume and what to avoid.