CLEAR LIQUID DIET

BY
RUQAYYA HAMZA USMAN
• It is a diet that consist of clear fluids and juices
that provide little residue and the nutrients in
them are easily absorbed
• clear liquids provide calories, electrolytes, and
water, they help nourish the body and
prevent dehydration
A clear liquid diet usually includes:
• water
• clear juices without pulp
• electrolyte drinks, ginger ale, and club soda
• clear broths
• plain popsicles that do not contain pureed fruit or
chunks
• gelatin products, such as Jell-O
• tea without milk or cream
Some clear liquids are forbidden on a clear
liquid diet. These include:
• soda and cola
• alcoholic drinks
• tomato and vegetable juices
• dairy products
 Caution
• Liquids with red or purple coloring may also
need to be avoided because the color in the
intestinal tract can look like blood. This makes
it harder to get an accurate result with
intestinal screening tests.
• A person should not eat any solid foods, even
fruits and vegetables, on a clear liquid diet.
 Indications
• Preparation for medical procedure: A clear
liquid diet can ensure that there is nothing left
behind in the intestines before a medical
procedure e.g. colonoscopy
• Recovering from a medical procedure: A clear
liquid diet allows the body to slowly recover,
reducing the risk of nausea and making it
easier to absorb nutrients; e.g. following
bariatric surgery
• Preventing gastrointestinal distress:
• A clear liquid diet can be helpful after a period
of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Clear liquids are easier to digest and can
reduce the severity of some stomach viruses.
• Switching to a clear liquid diet may also
prevent dehydration.
 Approximate composition
• Energy value about 400kcal
• 5g of protein
• Trace amount of fat
• 95g of carbohydrate
• 65meq of sdium
• 20meq of potassium
 Risk
• A clear liquid diet offers fewer nutrients than a
balanced diet rich in proteins, whole grains,
fruits, vegetables, and other foods. Over time,
it can lead to malnourishment
 Full liquid diet
• It includes all liquid and semi-liquid such as
strained purées, smoothies, shakes or yogurt.
Compliant Foods
• Fruit and vegetable juice (no pulp)
• Broth
• Soft drinks
• Coffee, tea
• Milk or dairy-free milk alternatives (soy, almond)
• Milkshakes, malts, smoothies
• Clear or creamed soups (thinned, strained, no solids)
• Honey, syrup, sugar,gelatin, pudding, custard
• Ice pops, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet (no nuts, candy,
solid toppings/coatings)
• Yogurt (regular or Greek; no granola, seeds, fruit chunks),
Melted cheese
• Liquid dietary supplements (Ensure, Glucerna, Boost)
Non-Compliant Foods
• Meat (unless puréed, thinned, and strained)
• Tofu, meat substitutes
• Nuts and seeds
• Raw fruits and vegetables
• Solid cheese
• Soft or mashed food (e.g., potatoes)
• Soups or stews with noodles, meat, or vegetables
• Bread, Whole pasta or rice
• Cereals, granola, oats, Applesauce
• Potato chips, crackers, pretzels, popcorn
• Muffins, cakes, cookies, pastries, Hard or chewy candy 
 Indication
• Intermediate step in post-op dietary regimen
• Situations in which GIT function is moderately
reduced
• Diet may also be indicated for the individual
who has difficulty chewing and swallwing solid
food
 Nutritional adequacy
• It is very low in all nutrients except calcium
and vitamin c
• Nutritional adequacy can be improved by
using dietary supplements
 Approximate composition
• 1500 Kcal
• 50g of protein
• 55g of fat
• 205g of carbohydrate
• 105meq of sodium
• 65meq of potassium
 SOFT DIET
• This is similar to the normal/general hospital
diet/regular diet
• A soft diet is made up of foods that are soft
and easy to chew and swallow.
• These foods may be chopped, ground,
mashed, pureed, and moist.
• There are some limitations in seasoning
 Indication for soft diet
a. Used for young, preschool aged children’s
feeding
b. Intermediate step in post-op dietary regimen
e.g. in gastrectomy, bariatric surgery,
diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD) flare-ups
c. Cancer treatment
d. Difficulty in swallowing
e. Dental problems
 Approximate composition
• 1860 kcal on the average
• 80g of protein
• 70g of fat
• 225g of carbohydrate
• 150meq of sodium
• 80meq of potassium
 Foods allowed in soft diet
Carbohydrates to provide energy and fiber
• porridge oats
• whole grain biscuits with lots of milk
• mashed potatoes
• white or brown bread
• boiled pasta or rice with sauce
Protein-rich foods for growth and repair
• minced meats cooked in stews or casseroles
• fish without bones that are poached, steamed, or
boiled
• tinned fish, such as tuna or salmon without bones
• eggs that are scrambled, poached, boiled, and
fried
• hummus
• tofu
Dairy and alternatives that contain calcium
• milk and milkshakes
• yogurt
• cheese sauce
• cottage cheese
Fruit and vegetables for vitamins, minerals, and
fiber
• peeled, cooked, and mashed vegetables, such as
carrots, butternut squash
• ripe, soft fruits, such as bananas, pears
• stewed fruit or compote
• fruit juice and smoothies
• avocado
• tinned fruit in juice, mashed if necessary
Note: remove the skins from all vegetable and
fruit before eating.
 Foods to avoid
• Avoid chewy, crunchy, and dry foods when
following a soft food diet.
Carbohydrates
• muesli or granola with nuts and dried fruit
• jacket potato skin
• crusts on bread
• toast or crackers
• whole-wheat and whole-grain breads
Protein
• chewy, fatty meat
• tough or overcooked meat
• cured meat, such as salami or chorizo
• fish with bones
• nuts, seeds, and peanut butter
• beans, lentils, and pulses, including baked
beans
Fruit and vegetables
• raw vegetables
• fruit skin, seeds, and pips
• dried fruit
• stringy or fibrous vegetables, such as celery or
pineapple
• foods that contain dried fruits and nuts, such
as fruit cake
• corn on the cob
 OTHERS
• carbonated beverages (such as soda and
seltzer)
• high-fiber and fiber-enriched cereals
 MECHANICAL SOFT DIET
• Similar to soft diet with modifications made in
the texture of the food which can be made by
blendarizing it
Indications for mechanical soft diet
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
• Used as part of post-op diet regimen after
plastic, laryngeal and oesophageal operations
 Compliant foods
• Cooked vegetables (mashed and skinned)
• Canned fruit
• Applesauce
• Stewed fruit (remove skin, pits, or seeds)
• Avocado
• Oatmeal
• Cereal with milk
• White bread, crackers (softened with milk)
• Cooked white rice or pasta
• Yogurt
• Soft cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese
• Clear broth, creamed soups
• Baked, poached, or broiled fish
• Ground or thinly-shaved meat (turkey, chicken,
beef, pork)
• Soft-cooked eggs, egg salad
• Tuna, chicken
• Silken tofu
• Hummus
• Ice cream, pudding, custard (no nuts)
• Soft cakes or cookies (no nuts, candy, raisins)
• Condiments, gravy, sauces, spices
• Butter, vegetable/cooking oils, margarine
 Non-compliant food
• Hard cheese, cheese with nuts or seeds
• Shellfish and "meaty" fish
• Hot dogs, sausage
• Fried meat or fish
• Nuts and seeds
• Crunchy nut butters
• Raw vegetables
• Whole fruit with skin, pits, or seeds
• Dried fruit
• Whole olives
• Coconut
• Bread, muffins, cakes, or cookies with seeds,
nuts, or dried fruit
• Crunchy bread (rye, pumpernickel, sourdough)
• wild rice
• Granola
• French fries, hash browns
• Toast
• Crackers, melba toast, croutons
• Chips, popcorn, pretzels, crunchy cookies
• Granola bars
• Pie crust
• Chewy or hard candy
• Jams/jelly with seeds
Note: Components of a mechanical soft diet can
be adjusted to match your appetite, tastes,
and nutritional needs. While flexible in these
regards, there are some considerations to
keep in mind.
 Post-op diet regimen
Clear liquid diet-------full liquid diet------soft
diet---------------regular/normal diet

mechanical soft diet