Information From Your Health Care Provider

LIQUID DIET, CLEAR

PURPOSE

This diet is often used to minimize digestion within the gastrointestinal tract. Fluid and energy are provided in a form that minimizes digestion.

DESCRIPTION

The diet consists of clear liquids or foods that are fluid at body temperature. This diet is also residue-free, which minimizes fecal output.

BASIC INFORMATION

Due to the extremely restrictive nature of this diet, use should be limited to three days or less. For prolonged use, an appropriate low-residue supplement is recommended for nutritional support. Large intakes of beverages high in simple sugars, electrolytes, or amino acids may produce nausea, diarrhea, or dehydration. Liquids such as apple or grape juice, broth, and some fruit punches may need to be diluted before use with vulnerable patients.

NUTRITIONAL ADEQUACY

This diet is extremely inadequate and is planned for brief use only. Specific items and amounts depend upon patient tolerance and should be offered frequently.

FOOD LIST

Food Groups	Foods Allowed	Foods To Omit
Milk/Dairy	None	All
Meat/Meat Substitute	None	All
Breads/Grains	None	All
Fruits/Vegetables	Clear fruit juices such as apple, grape, or cranberry or strained juices such as orange, lemonade, or grapefruit; pulp-free fruit ices.	All others
Desserts/Sweets	Clear flavored gelatin, Popsicles, clear fruit ices, sugar, honey, sugar substitutes, hard candy.	All others
Beverages	Clear coffee or tea, carbonated beverages, sports drinks.	All others including milk, nectars, cream, juices with pulp.
Miscellaneous	High-protein broth or gelatin, iodized salt, clear broth or bouillon.

SAMPLE MENU

Breakfast	Dinner or Lunch	Supper or Lunch
Grape Juice	Apple Juice	Cranberry Juice
Clear Vegetable Broth	Clear Beef Both	Clear Chicken Broth
Flavored Gelatin	Flavoured Gelatin	Flavoured Gelatin
Black Coffee	Clear Tea	Clear Tea

Nutrient Analysis