Detoxifying the body through a fast or liquid diet has become increasingly common, especially for people looking to reduce bloating, increase energy, cleanse the body of toxins, or lose weight. Especially after the end of the year celebrations and the busy meals that followed one another.
There is no shortage of liquid diet programs, some focus on fruit juices, while others involve the consumption of clear liquids, such as broth and tea. The type of liquid diet you choose depends on your goals, but don’t be fooled by companies charging high prices for detox kits. It’s easy to make liquid diet foods at home and use them to your advantage.
What is a liquid diet?
A liquid diet involves consuming food only in liquid form. These can include juices, shakes, teas, broths, and liquid meal replacements. There are no specific rules for a liquid diet, and there are many types. People choose one based on their health and weight goals.
The most popular types of liquid diets are:
The Juice Cleanse: A juice diet involves drinking fruit and vegetable juices for a set period of time. There are variations of this type of diet: juice can be a meal or replace solid food with juice.
Detox Drink Diet: Consuming detox drinks made from fruits, vegetables, and herbs is used to promote detoxification. Adding detox drinks to your diet can help relieve constipation, bloating, gas, headaches, and other signs of toxic overload. You can add the detox drinks to a typical diet or consume them on their own for a specific period of time, such as a day or two.
Clear Liquid Diet: A clear liquid diet consists solely, as the name suggests, of a clear liquid, such as broth, tea, and water. It is a form of fasting that is often used to lose weight, detoxify, and prepare for medical intervention.
Liquid Diet – Unlike sticking to clear liquids, the liquid diet includes foods in liquid form. The goal is to give your digestive system time to rest and recuperate, since liquid foods contain virtually no fiber or protein.
How does it work?
When you’re on a liquid diet, you typically choose between clear liquid “foods” and whole liquid foods. Clear liquids are typically consumed before a medical procedure involving the digestive tract, such as a colonoscopy. Your health care provider may also recommend it to reduce inflammation or irritation caused by digestive disorders, such as diverticulitis and Crohn’s disease.
On a clear liquid diet, drink or sip hydrating fluids throughout the day and get enough calories and nutrients to keep you energized.
A full liquid diet allows you to eat food but only in liquid form. This type of diet may be recommended for people who are recovering from surgery, such as bariatric surgery, or who have difficulty swallowing. The food is pureed (such as baby food) and diluted with milk, broth, or water.
When prepared with healthy, nutrient-dense foods, it also promotes detoxification and gives your digestive system a moment of rest and recovery.
clear liquid diet
Eat:
Water
clear broth
clear soups
Black coffee
Tea
raw honey
Apple juice
plain jelly
To avoid :
Soft drinks and sugary drinks
pulpy fruit or vegetable juices
all solid foods
Menu example:
Breakfast
A cup of apple juice
a cup of jelly
Coffee
Meal
a cup of broth
water/tea
Dinner
A cup of clear soup
a cup of jelly
Water
In case
coffee tea
Broth
teaspoon of honey
clear fruit juice
complete liquid diet
Eat:
Water
clear broths
Pureed Vegetable Soups
cream soups
Nut milks
natural yogurt
butter or margarine
Affection
Maple syrup
Coffee and tea
Fruit and vegetable juices
Jelly
Ice cream
To avoid :
Nuts and seeds
cheeses
pasta and rice
breads and cereals
Meat
Fruit and vegetable puree
Soda and other soft drinks
Menu example:
Breakfast
A cup of natural yogurt
One teaspoon of creamy nut butter
Half a cup of fruit juice
Coffee
Meal
A cup of polenta with a teaspoon of butter
A cup of vegetable puree
water/tea
Dinner
Two cups of vegetable puree
Half a cup of hot cereal
Water
Appetizers
Fruit juice
half a cup of milk
Benefits of liquid diets
1. Provides Micronutrients
Full liquid diets or juice-based diets that incorporate fruits and vegetables provide a burst of micronutrients. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables are essential for overall health. They play a role in various bodily functions and protect the body against chronic diseases. Additionally, most people do not get enough fruits and vegetables in their diets, ensuring that their nutrient needs are met.
2. Helps in short-term weight loss
Cleanses and liquid diets are often practiced to promote weight loss, and research indicates that they are helpful, at least for short-term weight loss and weight maintenance.
3. Helps digestion
As your digestive system rests during a liquid diet, you’ll likely notice a reduction in bloating, constipation, and gas.
4. Helps fight diabetes
A study published in Diabetes Care found that liquid meal replacement diets not only slightly reduced weight and body mass index, but also improved fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin, and blood pressure.
5. It can improve mental alertness
Because a liquid diet promotes detoxification and helps relieve your body of toxic overload, you may experience an increase in energy or mental alertness as a result.
6. Maintain hydration before/after a medical procedure
People who are undergoing a medical procedure, such as a colonoscopy, often need to eat a liquid diet before the procedure to open up the digestive tract. People with dysphagia or digestive disorders may also be prescribed a liquid diet.
This type of diet allows patients to stay hydrated and get much-needed electrolytes and calories during the preoperative or recovery phase.
Risks and side effects
Some liquid diets, especially those that consist only of light foods, are very low in calories and only need to be followed for one to three days. If you feel dizzy from lack of caloric intake, increase your fluid intake and consult your doctor for other recommendations if you are on the diet for medical reasons. If you experience side effects of a liquid diet, such as nausea, diarrhea, or fever, slowly reintroduce solid foods back into your diet, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Beware of liquid diet programs that contain premixed drinks. These products are sometimes loaded with sugars and artificial ingredients.
Other considerations
If you are on a liquid diet due to an upcoming medical procedure, ask your doctor if there are any special guidelines or requirements. If eating three meals isn’t enough to give you energy for the day, try eating more frequently and drinking water every 20 to 30 minutes throughout the day. Although it is likely that you will lose weight while on a liquid diet, this loss is usually temporary. Long-term weight loss doesn’t happen with a quick fix. You have to change your eating habits and lifestyle. If you are considering a liquid diet for the sole purpose of detoxifying the body and losing weight, consider a detox diet, which allows for the consumption of whole foods.
Conclution
A liquid diet involves consuming food only in liquid form. These can include juices, shakes, teas, broths, and liquid meal replacements. There are many types of liquid diets, and people choose one based on their health and weight goals. The two most common types are the clear liquid diet and the full liquid diet. Liquid diets are often necessary before a medical procedure or during the recovery phase. People who have difficulty swallowing may also need to follow a liquid diet.
* HealthKey strives to convey health knowledge in a language accessible to all. In NO EVENT can the information provided replace the opinion of a health professional.
tags
broth Water liquid diet Soup tea