THE LIQUID DIET was large again within the late 80s, however variations of the plan nonetheless exist and thrive on social media. And there are literally two forms of liquid diets you want to learn about.

The primary time is one you’ve got accustomed to if you happen to’ve ever woken up from a surgical procedure craving a snack solely to be served a tray with Styrofoam cups of Jell-O and hen broth.

Your healthcare supplier may put you on an easy-to-swallow, easy-to-digest liquid eating regimen once you’re coping with sure well being points, like making ready for or recovering from a medical process or having hassle chewing or swallowing meals. These diets are designed to cut back dangers related to these circumstances, particularly the danger of vomiting or choking, says Katherine Basbaum, M.S., R.D., a Medical Dietitian for UVA Well being.

So what can you eat on a liquid eating regimen? There are two forms of liquid diets: the very restrictive clear liquid eating regimen and the much less restrictive full liquid eating regimen. On a transparent liquid eating regimen, you’re in for a boring rotation of broth, Jell-O, and perhaps a little bit of apple juice. On a full liquid eating regimen, you’ve got much more choices. You possibly can eat principally any meals pureed skinny and clean sufficient to be slurped via a straw.

Healthcare suppliers prescribe these diets fastidiously based mostly on affected person wants. Perhaps you’ve additionally heard of a good friend (or a social media influencer) doing a DIY liquid-only eating regimen.

These influencers inform you a liquid eating regimen is a difficult but efficient approach to shed some pounds quick, lower irritation, and cleanse your physique of poisons that trigger illness. It’s not a long-term answer, they concede, however extra of a baseline “reset” that may enable you to get well from poor consuming habits or start new, higher ones.

“I do have a good quantity of sufferers that come to me and say, ‘Nicely, what a few liquid eating regimen?’” says Basbaum. Many suppose will probably be a simple approach to shed some pounds, she says, however the fact is far more difficult. Right here’s what it’s best to learn about liquid diets, once they’re really useful, and why they’re most likely finest left to the consultants.

What’s the liquid eating regimen?

Keep in mind in science class once you discovered in regards to the states of matter: strong, liquid, and gasoline? (And plasma, however we don’t eat that).

On a liquid eating regimen, you eat solely liquids, nothing strong or chunky that requires you to chew.

What are you able to eat on a liquid eating regimen?

A transparent liquid eating regimen could be very restrictive, limiting you to clear juices like apple juice, Jell-O, and clear broths like hen broth. If the liquid is opaque, which means you possibly can’t see via it, it’s off the menu.

A full liquid eating regimen, alternatively, presents many extra choices.

“Full liquid is principally something that’s clean and blenderized and pureed, so if you consider yogurt, so long as it does not have any chunks, a creamy mix rice soup or an apple sauce or another pureed fruit, ice cream, milkshakes, something that is simply sort of clean however you may nearly drink via a big straw if you happen to needed to,” says Basbaum.

A full liquid eating regimen permits sufferers to absorb extra vital diet than the clear model, says Basbaum.

“We’ve got the flexibility to essentially get extra key vitamins right into a full liquid eating regimen versus a transparent, which is absolutely just a bit little bit of energy and slightly little bit of sugar or carbohydrates,” she says

Is a liquid eating regimen good for you?

If a healthcare supplier recommends a liquid eating regimen, then sure, it’s in your profit.

Liquid diets are widespread earlier than surgical procedure. Anesthesia may cause nausea, and your surgeon doesn’t need you vomiting on the desk. There’s a threat you may choke by yourself vomit when you’re knocked out. For sure procedures, particularly in gastroenterology, the surgeon additionally wants your abdomen to be empty to assist them do your job.

After surgical procedure, you possibly can nonetheless have nausea, particularly in case your guts had been the goal of the operation.

“We wish to give the physique an opportunity to sort of get again to baseline,” says Basbaum. “They sort of ease and transition the individual or the affected person again into common consuming.”

Often, meaning beginning with a transparent liquid eating regimen, transitioning to a full liquid eating regimen, after which shifting again to common meals.

One other widespread cause for a liquid eating regimen is dysphagia, or hassle swallowing. Strokes and different situations that have an effect on the nervous system, sure cancers of the mouth and esophagus, or gastroesophageal reflux illness may cause dysphagia.

When you possibly can’t swallow your meals correctly, you’re at elevated threat of aspiration, or unintentionally inhaling meals into your lungs as a substitute of swallowing it into your guts. Full liquid diets are normally really useful for folks with swallowing issues as a result of they permit for far more diet than clear liquid diets, which is particularly necessary if somebody must comply with the eating regimen long-term.

Typically dental issues are the explanation for a liquid eating regimen. An individual who has misplaced their enamel, for instance, may want a liquid eating regimen as a result of they’ll’t chew, says Basbaum.

Liquid diets for weight reduction are extra difficult. A physician may advocate one in restricted circumstances, equivalent to for sufferers making ready for bariatric surgical procedure. Researchers have carried out some research the place folks on very particular short-term liquid diets, monitored by healthcare professionals all through the journey, shed some pounds. However the assist from execs is essential to making sure that the plan is secure and efficient.

“They’ve this entire staff that’s weaning them off the liquid eating regimen and shifting them in the direction of upkeep, common meals, and the suitable quantity of protein and energy to advertise weight reduction,” says Basbaum.

However making an attempt it by yourself, or following some “cleanse” or one other fad eating regimen? That is most likely not good. “DIY is an enormous pink flag for a liquid eating regimen,” says Basbaum.

For one, it might be very tough to acquire all of the vitamins you’d want from a liquid eating regimen and to transition safely again to common meals.

“Anyone may put themselves on a liquid juice eating regimen or no matter for 2 or three weeks and lose 20 kilos, and the subsequent factor you realize they’re within the hospital for any variety of causes associated to nutrient deficiencies,” she says.

The plan may additionally backfire altogether as a result of consuming a liquid-only eating regimen simply isn’t that satisfying.

“If you’re consuming your energy through liquid, like a shake or juice or one thing blenderized, your mind just isn’t registering the fullness and the satiety in addition to if you happen to had truly eaten,” says Basbaum.

You miss out on the steps of chewing and swallowing, breaking down the meals in your abdomen, and different digestive processes.

“So, in flip, what can occur is that individuals on these liquid diets find yourself not feeling glad as a lot as they might if that they had consumed the identical quantity of energy from precise actual meals, entire grains, fruit and veggies, lean proteins, no matter,” she says. You may really feel so hungry that you just absorb extra energy than you deliberate.

Plus, on a liquid eating regimen, it’s onerous to get sufficient fiber, an necessary nutrient for weight administration, and a number of different issues, like bowel regularity, she says.

The underside line: If you need a secure, efficient weight reduction plan, speak together with your major care physician and think about hiring a registered dietitian who may help you develop a customized method.

How lengthy must you be on a liquid eating regimen, and when must you cease?

When liquid diets are prescribed round surgical procedure, they’re normally solely really useful for a matter of days. You’ll normally be allowed to renew your regular eating regimen someplace between one and three days after your process. By that time, you most likely must eat some protein and fats to assist your physique heal from surgical procedure, says Basbaum.

For folks with dysphagia, a full liquid eating regimen can final for much longer. Typically dysphagia will be improved with interventions equivalent to speech remedy. In different instances, a affected person with dysphagia may must comply with a liquid eating regimen without end. The identical might be true for a affected person with out enamel.

In case you’re placed on a liquid eating regimen, test in together with your healthcare supplier to see how lengthy to proceed it.

Julie Stewart is a author and content material strategist whose work has additionally appeared in Well being, and Ladies’s Well being, On a regular basis Well being, Vice, and Form.