How to Follow Liquid Diets

Doctors recommend liquid diets for various problems. A clear liquid diet may be prescribed before or after surgery, especially surgery involving the digestive tract, or for patients struggling with digestive issues such as diverticulitis. The other primary kind of liquid diet is used for weight loss. The products consumed in this diet are not the same as those on the clear liquid diet. Doctors sometimes recommend liquid diet to help obese patients lose weight, and general consumers can find liquid diet weight loss products at grocery and discount stores.

Clear Liquid Diets

Make a list of allowed and forbidden items on the clear liquid diet to keep in your wallet or purse and another for your refrigerator.

Drink only products that you can see through, such as water, tea or coffee without cream, sodas and pulp-free juices. Eat only products that follow these guidelines as well, such as gelatine with no fruit or other additions, clear broth or bouillon and frozen pops with no fruit or cream. You can add mild seasonings such as salt, pepper and sugar.

Avoid drinks that have a dairy base, including milk, cream and smoothies. Also stay away from highly acidic drinks such as orange and grapefruit juices and tomato products.

Be sure your doctor is aware of any medications, including vitamins, that you normally take, and ask if you should consume them when on a clear liquid diet.

Ask your doctor if you have questions about the diet. Follow your instructions carefully regarding how long to stay on a clear liquid diet, typically no longer than three days. A clear liquid diet does not sustain the body for long periods because it doesn't contain adequate nutrients, so don't stay on the clear liquid diet for longer than your doctor tells you to.

Weight Loss Liquid Diet

Talk to your doctor before you begin a liquid diet program to lose weight. You can get advice about the products you plan to use and make sure such a diet is appropriate for you.

Read the directions for the plan carefully. Some diets require you to drink only the diet product, usually three or four times a day. Others suggest you use the drinks to replace one or two meals a day and eat a regular meal for the third.

Eat healthy meals for those you don't replace with the drinks. Fill up on vegetables such as lettuce salads with low-fat, low-calorie dressings, but keep in mind that a healthy meal will typically include lean protein, whole grains and fruits, as well.

Consider taking a vitamin supplement. While many weight-loss diet drinks contain extra vitamins and minerals, a multivitamin will help assure that you get the nutrients you need.

Exercise. You need to change the unhealthy habits that caused you to gain weight to begin with in order for the liquid diet to have long-term effects. Do that by starting a regular exercise program.

Remember that healthy weight loss means losing 1 to 2 pounds a week. Losing weight more quickly can cause further health issues.

References

"Clear Liquid Diet. Baptist Health Systems. Mbhs.org.

"Liquid Diets." WebMD. Webmd.com.