Clear liquid diet
Original Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/clear-liquid-diet/MY00742
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Clear liquid diet
Definition
A clear liquid diet consists of clear liquids, such as water, broth and plain gelatin, that are easily digested and leave no undigested residue in your intestinal tract. Your doctor may prescribe a clear liquid diet before certain medical procedures or if you have certain digestive problems. Because a clear liquid diet can't provide you with adequate calories and nutrients, it shouldn't be continued for more than a few days.
Purpose
A clear liquid diet is often used before tests, procedures or surgeries that require no food in your stomach or intestines, such as before colonoscopy. It may also be recommended as a short-term diet if you have certain digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, or after certain types of surgery.
Diet details
A clear liquid diet helps maintain adequate hydration, provides some important electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, and gives some energy at a time when a full diet isn't possible or recommended.
The following foods are allowed in a clear liquid diet:
- Plain water
- Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple juice, grape juice or cranberry juice
- Strained lemonade or fruit punch
- Clear, fat-free broth (bouillon or consomme)
- Clear sodas
- Plain gelatin
- Honey
- Ice pops without bits of fruit or fruit pulp
- Tea or coffee without milk or cream
Any foods not on the above list should be avoided. Also, for certain tests, such as colon exams, your doctor may ask you to avoid liquids or gelatin with red coloring.
A typical menu on the clear liquid diet may look like this.
Breakfast:
1 glass fruit juice
1 cup coffee or tea (without dairy products)
1 cup broth
1 bowl gelatin
Snack:
1 glass fruit juice
1 bowl gelatin
Lunch:
1 glass fruit juice
1 glass water
1 cup broth
1 bowl gelatin
Snack:
1 ice pop (without fruit pulp)
1 cup coffee or tea (without dairy products) or a soft drink
Dinner:
1 cup juice or water
1 cup broth
1 bowl gelatin
1 cup coffee or tea
Results
Although the clear liquid diet may not be very exciting, it does fulfill its purpose. It's designed to keep your stomach and intestines clear, limit strain to your digestive system, but keep your body hydrated as you prepare for or recover from a medical procedure.
Risks
Because a clear liquid diet can't provide you with adequate calories and nutrients, it shouldn't be used for more than a few days. Only use the clear liquid diet as directed by your doctor.
If your doctor prescribes a clear liquid diet before a medical test, be sure to follow the diet instructions exactly. If you don't follow the diet exactly, you risk an inaccurate test and may have to reschedule the procedure for another time.
- Eating hints for cancer patients: Before, during, and after treatment. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancernet.gov/cancertopics/eatinghints/allpages. Accessed May 24, 2011.
- Special diets for special needs: Clear liquid diet. National Cancer Institute. http://rex.nci.nih.gov/NCI_Pub_Interface/Eating_Hints/eatdiets.html. Accessed May 24, 2011.
- Zeratsky KA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 25, 2011.
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