Clear liquid diet

[AnnieInside]

Has anyone here taken the premise of a liquid diet one step further and done a clear liquid diet? I was reading about these and it seems pretty interesting. Basically it is made up of water, gelatin, tea, broth, and other clear liquids which are super easy to digest and leaves absolutely no residue in your digestive tract. Has anyone tried it and if so, what sort of results did you experience?

 

[Rebecca85]

The only time I have heard of these being used is in preparation for a test. I had to do it for a day before my colonoscopy, and I was so hungry! I can't see it being sustainable for long enough to see results- even if you can manage the hunger, you couldn't get enough nutrients and would lose weight and become sick through malnutrition.

 

[Irene3]

I was on a clear liquid diet, for almost a week (6days I believe), in hospital when I had a few abscesses through my small intestine. The idea was to rest the bowel while on cortisone and Iv antibiotics, but you couldn't do it long term. You'll loose several kg in just one week, and it's no where near enough nutrition. Even if your drinking ensure, or those types of nutrition juices, I don't think you should do more then a week at a time. And maybe only when absolutely necessary. I'd say ask your GI either way.

 

[Heather_D]

Hi! I have been on a clear liquid diet a few times in the hospital and have also put myself on a mainly clear liquid diet a few times in the last couple of months due to complications which would cause agenizing pain when I ate. I would eat a 'non' liquid meal a couple of times a week with my husband if I felt ok for the day and would eat broth with noodles in it (otherwise I was eating mainly jello, italian ice, gatorade, ensure enlive, etc..) I just had an ileocolic and rectosigmoid resection last Thursday and I'm now trying to work regular food back into my diet. I'm starting slow with white bread, mashed potatoes, etc...I'll be happy when I can move off of 'soft' solids. My surgeon didn't really give me an exact diet, however told me to slowly add items back into my diet. When I'm in pain it definitely helps. There isn't a ton of nutrients however, so I have lost over 20 pounds since the beginning of the year. Hopefully now that I've had the surgery I will be able to eat a more notorious diet.

 

[David]

I agree with the others who bring up the whole issue of nutrients. If you're able to, I would suggest looking into various forms of elemental nutrition that are more nutritionally complete.