The full liquid diet is a temporary diet that is used in several different settings.
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Preparation for surgery and medical tests such as sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and other x-rays or tests that require little food in the stomach and intestines. |
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When someone has been unable to eat any food for several days or after surgery. |
The full liquid diet helps to keep you hydrated (body fluids, salts and minerals) and helps to get the body used to food after long periods of time without food. The full liquid diet is easy to digest and does not leave much residue in the stomach and intestines.
Important Considerations:
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If you experience abdominal discomfort such as cramps or pain, contact your doctor or nurse as soon as possible. |
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The full liquid diet does not provide enough energy, protein and many other nutrients. This diet is temporary and should not be used for more than 5 days. If you are on this diet for more than 5 days, your doctor and/or dietitian will tell you which supplement to use. |
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The amount of liquid that you drink or eat on this diet may be important. If your doctor sets a limit about the amount, follow those directions carefully. |
How to choose the full liquid diet:
Liquids that you can see through at room temperature (about 78-72 degrees Fahrenheit are considered clear liquids. This includes juices, broths, hard candy, ices and gelatin. The table below will help you with your choices.
| Choose these foods / beverages | Do not eat these foods / beverages | |
| Fruits/juices | Fruit juices without pulp such as apple juice, grape juice, cranberry juice, and nectars. | Canned, fresh, or frozen fruits |
| Soups | Broth, bouillon, fat free consommé, or strained cream soups | Soups with vegetables, noodles, rice, meat or other chunks of food in them |
| Beverages | Coffee, tea (hot or cold), Kool-Aid, soda, water, lactose free supplements if recommended by your doctor | All others |
| Sweets and Deserts | Fruit ices (without chunks of fruit), plain gelatin, hard candy, popsicle made from juices, custards, ice cream, and pudding. | All others |
| Vegetables | None | All |
| Milk and Dairy Products | Milk (whole, skim, 1% and 2%), cream | Yogurt |
| Bread, cereals and grain products | None | All |
| Meat, Chicken, Fish, and meat substitutes (nuts, tofu, etc) | None | All |
| Oils, butter, margarine | None | All |
| Breakfast | Hot tea with lemon juice or milk and 1 tsp sugar (no pulp); Apple juice (8 oz); Gelatin 1 cup; Milk (1%) |
| Lunch | Hot tea with lemon or cream (no pulp) and sugar; Grape juice (8 oz); Ice Cream (1 cup); Strained Cream of Potato Soup; Milk (1%) |
| Snack | Fruit juice (apple, cranberry or grape, 8 oz); Pudding (1 cup) |
| Dinner | Hot tea with lemon or milk and sugar; Apple juice; Strained Cream of Asparagus Soup (8 oz); Sherbet (1 cup); Milk (1%) |
Credits for this dietary information go to Maureen Murtaugh, PhD.
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