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What It Is

Purpose

Duration

Benefits

Risks

Tips

Aclear liquid dietconsists of liquids such as water, clearbroth, and apple juice. These liquids are considered “clear” because they do not have any pulp, bits of food, or cream in them. A clear liquid diet is often prescribed before certain medical tests or procedures. It can also be used before or after surgery on the gastrointestinal tract.

Clear liquid diets are meant to be followed only for a short time.They are not recommended for longer periods and are not meant to be used for weight loss.

Verywell / Jessica Olah

What Can You Drink and Eat on a Clear Liquid Diet?

What Are Clear Liquids?

Clear liquids are see-through. They do not have any solids or pulp in them. Foods that melt into clear liquids at room temperature, like ice pops andgelatin, are also allowed on a clear liquid diet.

Liquids that are not see-through (opaque) are not allowed on a clear liquid diet. These liquids take more work to digest. They also leave behind some solid pieces of food parts, like fiber, in yourlarge intestine. This is called a residue. If you have residue in your intestines, it can affect the results of a test or procedure.

What is the difference between a liquid diet and a clear liquid diet?A clear liquid diet only lets you have liquids that you can see through, like apple juice and broth. On a liquid diet or full liquid diet, you can have thicker liquids like shakes and creamed soups.

What is the difference between a liquid diet and a clear liquid diet?

A clear liquid diet only lets you have liquids that you can see through, like apple juice and broth. On a liquid diet or full liquid diet, you can have thicker liquids like shakes and creamed soups.

A clear liquid diet helps clear out the digestive system. This prevents undigested food from affecting the results of certain medical tests.

A clear liquid diet can also give the digestive system a “rest” after surgery orduring flare-ups of gastrointestinal diseases.

A clear liquid diet might be recommended before or after you have a procedure, such as:

Sometimes, a clear liquid diet may be recommended after a surgical procedure that does not involve the digestive system.

For example, after a tonsillectomy, it might hurt to swallow or chew food. Your provider might recommend a day or two on a clear liquid diet as you heal.

You may need to use a clear liquid diet at times if you have certain medical conditions, such as:

A clear liquid diet can also help your gut rest and heal after an illness that causes vomiting or diarrhea. For example, if you have the “stomach flu,” a clear liquid diet can help prevent you from getting dehydrated.

Liquids AllowedWaterBlack coffee or tea (withonlysugar, honey or lemon)Clear fruit juices, lemonadeClear sodas (e.g., lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, seltzer)Sports drinksGelatin (plain—nofruit or whipped cream)Ice pops or fruit-flavored ice (nosolid fruit)Clear nutrition supplements (e.g., Boost Breeze,Pedialyte, Ensure Clear)Clear broth or bouillonClear candies (e.g., lollipops, gummies)Liquids to AvoidFruit juices with pulp (e.g., orange juice, grapefruit juice)NectarsTomato or vegetable juicesMilk or plant-based milksIce cream or sorbetCream soups, soups with vegetables, noodles, or riceNutrition supplements that are not clear (e.g., Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast)Chocolates, candies that are not clearAlcoholic beverages

Liquids AllowedWaterBlack coffee or tea (withonlysugar, honey or lemon)Clear fruit juices, lemonadeClear sodas (e.g., lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, seltzer)Sports drinksGelatin (plain—nofruit or whipped cream)Ice pops or fruit-flavored ice (nosolid fruit)Clear nutrition supplements (e.g., Boost Breeze,Pedialyte, Ensure Clear)Clear broth or bouillonClear candies (e.g., lollipops, gummies)

Water

Black coffee or tea (withonlysugar, honey or lemon)

Clear fruit juices, lemonade

Clear sodas (e.g., lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, seltzer)

Sports drinks

Gelatin (plain—nofruit or whipped cream)

Ice pops or fruit-flavored ice (nosolid fruit)

Clear nutrition supplements (e.g., Boost Breeze,Pedialyte, Ensure Clear)

Clear broth or bouillon

Clear candies (e.g., lollipops, gummies)

Liquids to AvoidFruit juices with pulp (e.g., orange juice, grapefruit juice)NectarsTomato or vegetable juicesMilk or plant-based milksIce cream or sorbetCream soups, soups with vegetables, noodles, or riceNutrition supplements that are not clear (e.g., Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast)Chocolates, candies that are not clearAlcoholic beverages

Fruit juices with pulp (e.g., orange juice, grapefruit juice)

Nectars

Tomato or vegetable juices

Milk or plant-based milks

Ice cream or sorbet

Cream soups, soups with vegetables, noodles, or rice

Nutrition supplements that are not clear (e.g., Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast)

Chocolates, candies that are not clear

Alcoholic beverages

If you have specific health needs, some types of clear liquids might be better options for you. There might be some clear liquids that you will need to avoid. Here are a couple of examples:

What soups can you eat on a clear liquid diet?Soups you can eat on a clear liquid diet include meat or vegetable broths and bouillon that does not have any solid foods, creams, or thickeners in them.

What soups can you eat on a clear liquid diet?

Soups you can eat on a clear liquid diet include meat or vegetable broths and bouillon that does not have any solid foods, creams, or thickeners in them.

Avoiding Certain Colors

If you’re doing abowel prepbefore acolonoscopy, you might be asked to avoid any red, purple, or blue liquids. The dyes or natural colors in these liquids can make it look like there is blood in your intestines during the test.

For example, if you’re prepping for a colonoscopy, you might decide to have juice as one of your liquids. The instructions for the prep say that you cannot have any blue, red, or purple liquids.

That means that you could choose white cranberry or white grape juice. You could not have red cranberry or purple grape juice.

Some flavors of gelatin, ice pops, and nutrition supplements also have red, purple, or blue dye. Make sure you check the labels carefully.

Typical Day of Eating

Try to eat or drink on a regular schedule while you are following a clear liquid diet. This will keep you hydrated and not too hungry. Your body digests clear liquids very quickly, which means they won’t be as satisfying as a full meal.

Keep in mind thatcaffeinecould make you feel jittery or affect your sleep. If you have a cup of black coffee in the morning, you could still have it on a clear liquid diet.However, you might want to stick to decaffeinated drinks later in the day.

A clear liquid diet is very low in calories, protein, fat, and most nutrients. It is only meant to be used for a few days at most. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long to stay on this diet based on the reasons you need it. For example, you will need to follow a two-day clear liquid diet for a procedure like a colonoscopy, but you may need to be on a clear liquid diet for a little longer if the goal is to relieve symptoms of a condition such as diverticulitis.

You should not stay on a clear liquid diet for more than three or four days unless your healthcare provider tells you to.

A clear liquid diet is easy for your body to digest, which can help your digestive system rest and recover from symptoms of a condition like pancreatitis or ulcerative colitis. The liquids help clear waste from your digestive system and replace any liquids and electrolytes you may have lost due to diarrhea or vomiting.

A clear liquid diet is safe when you are under the care of a provider and you will only be on it for a short time.

Being on a clear liquid diet can have side effects and risks, including:

A clear liquid diet can be a choking hazard if you have trouble swallowing (dysphagia). People withdysphagiahave a hard time swallowing thin liquids.

Your healthcare provider or dietitian can talk to you about how to manage a clear liquid diet safely if you have dysphagia.

Can you lose weight on a clear liquid diet?A clear liquid diet is not safe to use for weight loss. It is only meant to be used for a few days at most. A clear liquid diet is very low in calories, protein, fat, and most nutrients; it is not enough to keep your body healthy.

Can you lose weight on a clear liquid diet?

A clear liquid diet is not safe to use for weight loss. It is only meant to be used for a few days at most. A clear liquid diet is very low in calories, protein, fat, and most nutrients; it is not enough to keep your body healthy.

It can be challenging to stay on a clear liquid diet, even if it’s just for a day or two. Here are a few ways that you can make the experience easier:

Summary

You might be asked to follow a clear liquid diet before certain medical tests and procedures. It can also give the digestive system a chance to rest after an illness.

A clear liquid diet includes liquids that you can see through, like tea, black coffee, apple juice, and clear broths. Some flavored gelatins and ice pops are also considered clear liquids. However, you might be asked to avoid certain colors if you are having a test like a colonoscopy. Red-colored drinks or gelatin can look like blood in the digestive tract.

A clear liquid diet is safe if your provider is checking in with you and you will only be on it for a short time. However, it does not provide enough calories and nutrition for long-term use. It is also not intended to be used to lose weight.

9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Clear liquid diet.National Cancer Institute.Clear liquid diet.Stanford Medicine.Clear liquid diet guidelines.UCSF Health.Diverticular disease and diet.Thorell A, MacCormick AD, Awad S, et al.Guidelines for perioperative care in bariatric surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society recommendations.World J Surg.2016;40:2065. doi:10.1007/s00268-016-3492-3Forbes A, Escher J, Hebuterne X, et al.ESPEN guideline: Clinical nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease.Clin Nutr. 2017;36(2):321-47. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.12.027Swanson SM, Strate LL.Acute colonic diverticulitis.Ann Intern Med. 2018;168(9):ITC65-ITC80. doi:10.7326/AITC201805010UW Medicine.Bowel prep for colonoscopy.Stanford Health Care.Clear liquid diet guidelines.

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Clear liquid diet.National Cancer Institute.Clear liquid diet.Stanford Medicine.Clear liquid diet guidelines.UCSF Health.Diverticular disease and diet.Thorell A, MacCormick AD, Awad S, et al.Guidelines for perioperative care in bariatric surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society recommendations.World J Surg.2016;40:2065. doi:10.1007/s00268-016-3492-3Forbes A, Escher J, Hebuterne X, et al.ESPEN guideline: Clinical nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease.Clin Nutr. 2017;36(2):321-47. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.12.027Swanson SM, Strate LL.Acute colonic diverticulitis.Ann Intern Med. 2018;168(9):ITC65-ITC80. doi:10.7326/AITC201805010UW Medicine.Bowel prep for colonoscopy.Stanford Health Care.Clear liquid diet guidelines.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Library of Medicine.Clear liquid diet.National Cancer Institute.Clear liquid diet.Stanford Medicine.Clear liquid diet guidelines.UCSF Health.Diverticular disease and diet.Thorell A, MacCormick AD, Awad S, et al.Guidelines for perioperative care in bariatric surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society recommendations.World J Surg.2016;40:2065. doi:10.1007/s00268-016-3492-3Forbes A, Escher J, Hebuterne X, et al.ESPEN guideline: Clinical nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease.Clin Nutr. 2017;36(2):321-47. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.12.027Swanson SM, Strate LL.Acute colonic diverticulitis.Ann Intern Med. 2018;168(9):ITC65-ITC80. doi:10.7326/AITC201805010UW Medicine.Bowel prep for colonoscopy.Stanford Health Care.Clear liquid diet guidelines.

National Library of Medicine.Clear liquid diet.

National Cancer Institute.Clear liquid diet.

Stanford Medicine.Clear liquid diet guidelines.

UCSF Health.Diverticular disease and diet.

Thorell A, MacCormick AD, Awad S, et al.Guidelines for perioperative care in bariatric surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society recommendations.World J Surg.2016;40:2065. doi:10.1007/s00268-016-3492-3

Forbes A, Escher J, Hebuterne X, et al.ESPEN guideline: Clinical nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease.Clin Nutr. 2017;36(2):321-47. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.12.027

Swanson SM, Strate LL.Acute colonic diverticulitis.Ann Intern Med. 2018;168(9):ITC65-ITC80. doi:10.7326/AITC201805010

UW Medicine.Bowel prep for colonoscopy.

Stanford Health Care.Clear liquid diet guidelines.

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