Liquid diets are often recommended by doctors before a patient undergoes a medical procedure or surgery. Other types of liquid diets involve consumption of protein shakes and the like. For more information on how to go on a liquid diet, read on.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.

• Liquid diets are typically medically supervised diets. Before a liquid diet is prescribed, you will be required to undergo a variety of medical tests to ensure safety when following such a low-calorie diet. A full liquid diet could well drop your calorie level to between 600-800 calories per day.

• The only liquids allowed on a full liquid diet are those that you can see through at room temperature, including:

1. Fruit juices without pulp
   1. Apple juice
   2. Grape juice
   3. Cranberry juice
2. Some soups
   1. Broth
   2. Bouillon
   3. Fat free consomme
   4. Strained cream soups
3. Beverages, including:
   1. Coffee
   2. Tea
   3. Kool-Aid
   4. Water
   5. Soda
4. Low fat milk
5. Plain gelatin
6. Pudding
7. Some ice creams

(Creative Commons photo by timsamoff)

• Other types of liquid diets don't restrict calories as drastically as medically supervised diets. Many involve the consumption of nothing but protein shakes—others replace one or two regular meals with them.

• If you have been directed to go on a full liquid diet by your doctor, be sure you know what is and isn't allowed. If you are trying a commercial liquid diet, one that substitutes certain meals with protein shakes, for example, you might want to meet with a nutritionist or a dietitian first to be sure your nutritional needs are being met.

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• Introduction
• Full Liquid Diet
• Other Liquid Diets
• Do They Work?
• Conclusion