Liquid Diets

Liquid diets are diets that are almost exclusively used for medical purposes. They are diets that restrict intake to just liquids such as tea or juices.

Before and after medical tests, surgery, births, and in other situations, liquid diet can be very beneficial. In general, physicians do not recommend a liquid diet unless the patient is to be subject to procedures such as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

A clear-liquid diet before surgery or tests can serve many functions. It aids in flushing the bowels. It also decreases the strain on the digestive system. It also supplies some nutrients. Physicians will usually supply patients with a fact sheet before beginning a liquid diet. The fact sheet will describe in detail how to proceed, what can be drunk, and the length of time to follow the diet.

Liquid diets are frequently used as a part of therapy following weight-loss (bariatric) surgery. This type of surgery uses a lap band or a gastric bypass to change the nutrition absorption of the patient. After the surgery, the patient will normally be given just liquids. On the first day, a liquid diet limits the intake to sips of clear liquids. The clear liquids are liquids such as apple juice, orange juice, water, flat diet sodas, sugar-free jello, broth, or other similar liquids. The next day, the patient normally moves to semiliquids.

Bariatric patients may be put on a liquid diet for as long as 10 days following the procedure. In very extreme cases, obesity may be treated with an all-liquid diet. Although successful at first, a liquid diet as treatment for obesity must be constantly monitored by a physician to prevent negative side effects from developing.

For long-term loss of excessive weight, liquid diets are not a very good option. A major reason is that it does not teach the obese person the actions and decisions that must be developed into habitual behaviors that are necessary for healthy eating. Obese individuals [Page 430]typically perform better on diets that can more easily be incorporated into “real life” situations. Because consumption of all liquid diets, such as SlimFast or Optimum shakes, without intake of healthful meals as prescribed with these diets, do not train patients to eat regularly, they are not likely to be successful for the long-term.

Small weight losses are possible for short periods through the use of a clear liquid diet. Even more short-term losses are possible with the use of juices. However, a juice fast will lack proteins and fiber. The result is that some gains are made that may be quickly lost with the return of eating.

Experience suggests that the best that can be achieved by the use of liquid diets is the loss of a few pounds.

Protein shakes can also be a part of a liquid diet. These may help to eliminate weight in the short term. However, unless other tactics are employed such as more rest, more exercise, and a radical modification of a solid-food diet so that it is oriented toward moderate portion of vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and small portion of carbohydrates, the individual will rapidly regain weigh lost in the short term.

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