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Home » Long Term Weight Loss » What Are Liquid Diets and Are They Healthy? – WTOP

When we think of a diet, we usually think of food. A healthy diet typically includes lots of vegetables and

When we think of a diet, we usually think of food. A healthy diet typically includes lots of vegetables and lean proteins, some fruit, whole grains and healthy fats. We usually picture whole foods as being the diet, but not all diets feature strictly solid food. In some instances, a liquid diet might be a useful way of approaching nutrition.

[See: The 10 Best Diets for Healthy Eating.]

What Is a Liquid Diet?

Liquid diets are often prescribed by doctors for a variety of reasons, says Colette Micko, a registered dietitian nutritionist with Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance in Torrance, California. Those reasons may include:

Preparing for a screening or diagnostic test, such as a colonoscopy.

Triggering quick weight loss prior to bariatric surgery or as a transitional phase after such surgery before moving back onto solid food.

Managing your weight.

Recovering from certain infections, such as pancreatitis.

Following oral surgery or when chewing or swallowing is difficult.

Improving gastrointestinal symptoms associated with certain conditions such as Crohns disease.

Resting the bowel. Because liquid diets include little or no fiber, that can give your digestive system a break from processing nutrients that may be more difficult to digest.

[READ: Post-Bariatric Surgery Diet: What You Can Eat.]

Types of Liquid Diets

Micko explains that liquid diets are typically categorized as clear liquids or full liquids.

A clear liquid diet includes thin, see-through liquids, such as:

Water.

Tea or coffee without milk or cream.

Broth.

Clear juices that contain no pulp, such as apple juice.

Clear carbonated drinks or sodas.

Sports drinks.

Popsicles that contain no milk, nuts, seeds or fruit chunks.

These diets contain no or very few calories and are intended for when youre prepping for surgery or a test that requires you to have no food in the digestive system. Because they contain so few calories and cant provide adequate nutrients to sustain your body for long, theyre usually only intended for a couple of days at a stretch.

A full liquid diet, on the other hand, is a bit more robust and includes any foods that are liquid or will melt once youve ingested them. They provide more complete nutrition than a clear liquid diet and may include:

Dairy products, such as milk, butter, yogurt and ice cream.

Strained or pureed soups.

Juices.

Water, broth and tea.

Nutritional supplements, such as shakes and drinks.

Popsicles and other juice-based frozen treats.

Cooked cereals such as oatmeal or grits that have been blended and thinned with water or milk.

Nut butters.

Gelatin, pudding, custard and other similar gelatinous desserts.

A full liquid diet may sometimes include pureed whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables and even meats think baby food consistency. Such items may be added in after youve been on a liquid diet for a while to help transition back to eating whole foods.

Some liquid diets actually include some solid food too, depending on what the diet is being used for. In those instances, you may be substituting a liquid meal replacement for one or two meals daily.

Lisa Cooper, a registered dietitian for prevention and wellness services at Orlando Health in Florida, says you should select a meal replacement containing adequate protein thats fortified with vitamins and minerals. Your doctor or nutritionist can provide guidance about the best option for your situation.

Liquid Diets for Weight Loss

One of the more common reasons you might go on a liquid diet is to manage your weight. Cooper says that in such instances, you may be working with low-calorie liquid meal replacements in the form of shakes that may be recommended for assistance with portion control and ease of use. Using a mostly liquid and part whole-food diet may add structure and simplicity to a weight management plan.

Liquid diets can induce rapid and significant weight loss, and must be managed by a health care provider to ensure long-term results, Cooper says. Long-term weight loss maintenance is dependent upon behavior change when returning to a whole food diet.

Your dietitian or other health care provider can assist you with figuring out your specific nutritional needs and selecting the right meal replacement product. Seek the help of a registered dietitian for guidance on meal replacements nutrient balance and overall lifestyle changes necessary for long-term success, Cooper says.

[See: The 9 Best Diets for Fast Weight Loss]

Are Liquid Diets Healthy?

Whether a liquid diet is healthy depends on whats in it, why youre using it and whether it provides adequate nutrition for your needs. Many faddish liquid diets may be a waste of money and might actually be dangerous if you stick to them too long.

Most liquid diets claiming to cleanse or detox the body have no clinical research to support their claims, Micko says. Our liver, kidney, skin and gastrointestinal tract are built-in body cleansers. Our bodies have the ability to get rid of toxins through sweat, urine and bowel movements.

So, if youre thinking of moving to a liquid diet because you think you need a detox, skip it and look to more proven means of using nutrition to boost health. The Mediterranean Diet has consistently been the top-ranked diet on U.S. News & World Reports Best Diets List for the past several years and offers a better health argument than many shake-based plans.

Still, for some people, a liquid diet might be a smart move under certain circumstances, and in those instances, you should focus on getting the right nutrients. When youre on a liquid diet, its important to focus on high-protein liquids to help preserve lean body mass, Micko says. Most foods on a clear liquid diet are devoid of protein, so clear liquid supplements are typically recommended. Higher protein liquids on a full liquid diet can include regular or soy milk, bone broth and yogurt if permitted, in addition to protein supplements.

Liquid diets can be challenging to stick with, and are not usually intended to be followed for a long time, Micko says. But in some cases, people with complex gastrointestinal diseases and/or certain types of cancer may be told to follow a liquid diet longer term. It is possible for a liquid diet to be nutritionally adequate, but it takes careful planning and preparation.

Should I Go On a Liquid Diet?

For some people, a liquid diet is an important health tool to achieve a certain goal. If used appropriately and under medical supervision, a liquid diet using products that provide adequate nutrition may be an appropriate tool, Cooper says. Specifically, for those at high risk due to obesity-related disease states, a liquid diet can be a means to a life-changing weight loss.

But liquid diets arent appropriate for everyone, and Cooper says you should check with your physician before initiating a liquid diet plan. Liquid diets may not be appropriate for people with certain medical conditions, such as kidney or cardiovascular disease where restricting fluid intake might be necessary.

Generally speaking, Micko says she would not recommend a liquid diet for overall health unless its been medically indicated. Most liquid diets are insufficient in calories, protein, lack essential nutrients and lack research to support long-term weight loss or health outcomes. Thus, you should really only use a liquid diet if youre instructed to do so by your health care provider.

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What Are Liquid Diets and Are They Healthy? originally appeared on usnews.com

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What Are Liquid Diets and Are They Healthy? - WTOP

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Home » Long Term Weight Loss » What Are Liquid Diets and Are They Healthy? – WTOP