Taking a clear liquid diet means that you will not be taking any form of solid food at all. This type of diet is prescribed by the doctor if you suffer from a gastrointestinal disorder or if you are being prepared for or perhaps just went through surgery of the gastrointestinal tract including the oral cavity. It could also be given as part of the preparation for diagnostic tests. This is to ensure that vomiting, severe diarrhea, or nausea will occur before a colonoscopy or during a treatment of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease).

A clear liquid diet is usually taken for just a few days because of the inadequate amount of nutrients. This type of diet hydrates you and maintains your electrolyte balance if you are recovering from a surgery or disease. It should be emphasized that a clear liquid diet is not a diet for weight loss. It is recommended by doctors because it is a very mild diet that could be taken without irritating your stomach. It is the only form of diet that you can take during your process of recovery until you go back to your normal diet.

This type of diet can be comprised of food items that are clear and food items that are in liquid form when it is in room temperature. Here are the following items that are included in the list of clear liquid diet foods:

1. Drinks

The beverages available in the list of clear liquid diet foods comprise the large percentage of the entire diet. It gives the largest variety of choices when it comes to flavor and color. The drinks that are included in the list of clear liquid diet foods are water (sparking, plain, or mineral), clear and strained fruit and vegetable juices, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and sports drinks (clear). Water can be made more pleasant to drink if you put some fruit juice. Just avoid including any pulp by straining the fruit juice well. When it comes to juices, dark colored ones are not advisable because these may alter the results of the tests such as colonoscopy. Very weak coffee or tea with thoroughly dissolved sugar or honey is allowed in the list of clear liquid diet foods. Just be sure that you do not add any cream or milk. Colas are not allowed in this diet. Clear carbonated drinks, however, are allowed. Soft drinks such as lemon soda, ginger ale, and sports drinks are allowable in the clear liquid diet.

2. Soups

The soups that are included in the list of clear liquid diet foods are those that are free of cream and bits of vegetables such as consommés, bullion soups, and broths (turkey or chicken). Make sure that the clear soups that you either buy or make has low sodium content o that your salt intake can be regulated.

3. Desserts and other food items

Of course, you cannot be deprived of desserts when you are on a clear liquid diet. The allowable desserts in the list of clear liquid diet foods are gelatin, frozen desserts, salt, syrup, hard candies, and honey. Gelatins are those that are clear and free of fruit bits, milk, pulp, or cream. Frozen desserts should only be composed of popsicles that are clear and those that are not made of ice cream. Honey, salt, and syrup can dissolve in your mouth and qualify in the list of clear liquid diet foods.

You should be careful in picking the foods when you are on a clear liquid diet. There should be adequate supervision of your doctor while you  are on this diet. Make sure that you avoid the drinks that is opaque or colored, heavy vegetable juices, alcoholic drinks, tomato juice, dairy, and pulpy fruit juices. If, for some reason, you are not able to comply with the strictness of the clear liquid diet, you should inform your physician so that you may be rescheduled for your test or surgery. Not doing so will cause issues in your digestive system.  Consult with your doctor if you are not sure of the liquid that you are going to take. The clear liquid diet should only be followed for a short period of time.  Do not attempt to continue with the diet if your goal is to lose a significant amount of weight. Clear liquid diet is a poor substitute for a normal diet or even a known weight loss diet. This may just aggravate the problems in your digestive system. Just follow what your doctor says and you’ll be okay.