A clear liquid diet includes clear liquids – such as water, broth and plain gelatin – that are easily absorbed and leave no undigested residue in your digestive system. Your doctor might prescribe a clear liquid diet before specific medical treatments or if you have certain digestion issues. Since a clear liquid diet can’t supply you with appropriate calories and nutrients, it shouldn’t be kept for more than a few days.
Meaning
Clear liquids and foods might be colored so long as you are able to see through them. Foods can be thought about liquid if they are partly liquid at room temperature. You can’t eat solid food while on a clear liquid diet.
Purpose of Liquid Diet After Surgery
A clear liquid diet is frequently used prior to tests, procedures or surgical treatments that need no food in your stomach or intestinal tracts, such as before colonoscopy. It might also be recommended as a short-term diet if you have particular digestion problems, such as queasiness, throwing up or diarrhea, or after specific kinds of surgery.
Following Liquid Diet After Surgery
A clear liquid diet helps keep adequate hydration, supplies some crucial electrolytes, such as salt and potassium, and provides some energy at a time when a complete diet isn’t possible or advised.
The following foods are allowed a clear liquid diet:
- Water (plain, carbonated or flavored).
- Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple or white grape.
- Fruit-flavored beverages, such as fruit punch or lemonade.
- Carbonated drinks, consisting of dark sodas (cola and root beer).
- Gelatin.
- Tea or coffee without milk or cream.
- Strained tomato or vegetable juice.
- Sports drinks.
- Clear, fat-free broth (bouillon or consomme).
- Honey or sugar.
- Hard candy, such as lemon drops or peppermint rounds.
- Ice pops without milk, little bits of fruit, seeds or nuts.
- Any foods not on the above list ought to be avoided. Also, for certain tests, such as colon examinations, your doctor might ask you to prevent liquids or gelatin with red coloring.
A normal menu on the clear liquid diet may appear like this.
Breakfast
- 1 glass pulp-free fruit juice.
- 1 bowl gelatin.
- 1 cup of coffee or tea, without dairy items.
- Sugar or honey, if desired.
Treat
- 1 glass fruit juice (pulp-free).
- 1 bowl gelatin.
Lunch
- 1 glass pulp-free fruit juice.
- 1 glass water.
- 1 cup broth.
- 1 bowl gelatin.
Treat
- 1 pulp-free ice pop.
- 1 cup coffee or tea, without milk items, or a soda.
- Sugar or honey if desired.
Supper
- 1 cup pulp-free juice or water.
- 1 cup broth.
- 1 bowl gelatin.
- 1 cup coffee or tea, without dairy products.
- Sugar or honey, if preferred.
The Table of Recommended and non-Recommended Products after Surgery
What to Expect
Although the clear liquid diet may not be extremely exciting, it does fulfill its function. It’s developed to keep your stomach and intestinal tracts clear and to restrict pressure to your digestion system, while keeping your body hydrated as you get ready for or recover from a medical treatment.
Dangers of Fully Liquid Diet
Because a clear liquid diet can’t supply you with sufficient calories and nutrients, it shouldn’t be used for more than a few days. Only utilize the clear liquid diet as directed by your doctor.
If your doctor recommends a clear liquid diet prior to a medical test, make certain to follow the diet directions precisely. If you don’t follow the diet exactly, you risk an incorrect test and might have to reschedule the treatment for another time.
If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor, dietitian or diabetes teacher. A clear liquid diet needs to consist of clear liquids that provide roughly 200 grams of carbohydrate spread similarly throughout the day to help handle blood sugar (blood glucose). Blood sugar levels should be kept an eye on and the shift to solid foods should be done as rapidly as possible.
