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What is a Full Liquid Diet?

Harriette Halepis
Harriette Halepis

A full liquid diet is a type of medical diet usually prescribed to people who have just undergone gastrointestinal surgery. Similar to a soft liquid diet and a clear liquid diet, a full liquid diet also includes a list of specific foods that a person can, and cannot, consume.

Essentially, a full liquid diet consists of foods that are thick and creamy such as pudding, ice cream, and milk. The main reason why a medical doctor may prescribe a full liquid diet is that solid food is not digested properly following stomach surgery. In order to help a patient progress from a liquid diet to a normal diet, a full liquid diet is often prescribed as an intermediary step.

A doctor should be the only one to prescribe a diet that consists only of liquids; it is not done to lose weight.
A doctor should be the only one to prescribe a diet that consists only of liquids; it is not done to lose weight.

In addition to restricting the type of food that is consumed, a full liquid diet also consists of foods that are low in nutrients that are difficult to digest. Many foods that are part of this diet do not contain a large amount of iron, Vitamin A, and other nutrients. Thus, following any full liquid diet, many doctors will prescribe various supplements in order to restore essential nutrients within the body.

The foods that a person is permitted to eat while on a full liquid diet may vary from person to person.
The foods that a person is permitted to eat while on a full liquid diet may vary from person to person.

Not only does a full liquid diet consist of specific foods that should be avoided, but this type of diet is also comprised of carefully measured meal sizes. People who are prescribed this type of diet should eat three meals per day in conjunction with two or three snacks per day. Skipping meals while following this type of diet is not recommended.

The foods that a person is permitted to eat while following this kind of diet may vary from person to person. It is not recommended that people attempt to follow a diet of this manner simply to lose weight. In fact, this kind of diet should be reserved for those people who have undergone surgery. Those who wish to lose weight should speak with a certified nutritionist in order to determine the best possible diet for weight loss.

Some people may try a full liquid diet when trying to lose weight.
Some people may try a full liquid diet when trying to lose weight.

Even though liquid diets are becoming increasingly popular amongst the dieting community, these diets can be dangerous unless they are carefully monitored. Before beginning any kind of liquid diet, that is not a prescribed liquid diet, make sure to speak with a medical professional. Some people may benefit from a liquid diet, though this is not a diet that should be attempted without careful control and calculation.

Discussion Comments

lluviaporos

I think a lot of people do a version of this diet where they replace some meals with diet shakes. They might even replace all of their meals with diet shakes. This is a terrible idea. Even if you are taking nutritional supplements, only eating liquids can do bad things to your digestion system. They prescribe this diet to people after surgery because it is so gentle on the stomach... meaning that it is radically different from what a diet should be.

browncoat

I don't think a diet that includes pudding and ice cream would be all that good for losing weight anyway.

I think a lot of people start on full liquid diets after a gastric bypass, or just before it, to get their stomaches used to only eating small amounts. Then afterwards it can be so difficult to digest food, they need to keep to liquids as much as possible. But, then almost any food can be made into a liquid. I remember an episode of Biggest Loser where one group had to eat a diet made up of things that could fit through a straw. They just tossed whatever they wanted into a blender and into the straw it went.

What it all comes down to is what kind of food you are eating. Be sensible and you will be fine.

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    • A doctor should be the only one to prescribe a diet that consists only of liquids; it is not done to lose weight.
      By: Mi.Ti.
      A doctor should be the only one to prescribe a diet that consists only of liquids; it is not done to lose weight.
    • The foods that a person is permitted to eat while on a full liquid diet may vary from person to person.
      By: koszivu
      The foods that a person is permitted to eat while on a full liquid diet may vary from person to person.
    • Some people may try a full liquid diet when trying to lose weight.
      By: Lsantilli
      Some people may try a full liquid diet when trying to lose weight.
    • Drinking lots of water is one part of a full liquid diet.
      By: Andriy Petrenko
      Drinking lots of water is one part of a full liquid diet.
    • A person on a full liquid diet can still enjoy their favorite fruits an vegetables in juice form.
      By: photokanok_1984
      A person on a full liquid diet can still enjoy their favorite fruits an vegetables in juice form.