Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsIndicationsGoalsFood to EatSample MenuSide EffectsModificationsConsiderationsSimilar Diets
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Indications
Goals
Food to Eat
Sample Menu
Side Effects
Modifications
Considerations
Similar Diets
A full liquid diet is made up only of fluids and foods that are usually liquid, as well as foods that turn to liquid when at room temperature, like ice cream or milkshakes. It differs from aclear liquid dietin which you can only eat foods you can see through, like tea, broth, and gelatin.
A full liquid may transition you from a clear liquid diet following a gastrointestinal surgery or injury. It may also help if you have swallowing or chewing problems.
This article discusses the benefits and risks of a full liquid diet, including why your healthcare provider may recommend one. It also offers a list of foods to eat and avoid and tips to ensure you meet your daily nutritional needs.
Verywell / Joshua Seong
General Benefits of a Full Liquid Diet
The full liquid diet is one that places little stress on yourgastrointestinal (digestive) tractbut provides more flavor and nutrition compared to a clear liquid diet.
The full liquid diet requires no chewing. It includes clear fluids, like water and apple juice, along with thicker ones, like milk, shakes, and smoothies. Your healthcare provider may also include thicker foods likeyogurtor puddings that contain no lumps or solid pieces.
The aim of a full liquid diet is to promote the healing of your digestive tract, which includes everything from your mouth and throat to your colon and rectum. It is not the same as the clear liquid diet that is used before gastrointestinal procedures likecolonoscopy.
Compared to a full liquid diet, a clear liquid diet has limitations in that it delivers low calories and low levels ofcarbohydrates, possibly starting as low as 50 grams a day after bariatric (weight loss) surgery. It is also very low in protein, vitamins, and minerals.The average adult in the United States requires between 1,600 and 3,000 calories per day (and between 225 and 325 grams of carbs per day) to function normally.
By contrast, a full liquid diet includes foods that are nutritionally dense with higher levels of protein and carbs. While you may still be shy of your optimal nutritional needs, the diet is a good stopgap until you are better able to eat soft or solid foods.
Who Should Go on a Full Liquid Diet?
Your healthcare provider may prescribe a full liquid diet if you have certain medical conditions or are recovering from certain medical injuries or procedures.
Indications for a full liquid diet include:
Goals of a Full Liquid Diet
The aim of a full liquid diet is to consume enough nutrition without placing stress on the digestive tract. This may be easier said than done, given that certain digestive disorders can make you feel fuller faster or cause nausea even after a few bites.
To meet the goals of a full liquid diet, you need to focus on:
Nutritional TargetsWith the right combination of food, a full liquid diet should deliver around 1,500 calories and 45 grams of protein per day.
Nutritional Targets
With the right combination of food, a full liquid diet should deliver around 1,500 calories and 45 grams of protein per day.
A full liquid diet is generally prescribed for only a few days to help you transition back to your normal diet. It is rarely used for longer than two weeks.
Exceptions may be made for people who are preparing for weight loss surgery, recovering from a fractured jaw, or managing chronic conditions likeCrohn’s disease.
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What Can You Eat on a Full Liquid Diet?
The following compliant foods are allowed on a full liquid diet. Non-compliant foods are not allowed because they are solid or their textures are too thick and lumpy.
Compliant FoodsFruit and vegetable juice (no pulp)BrothSoft drinksSports drinks, electrolyte-replacement drinksCoffee, teaMilk or dairy-free milk alternatives (soy, almond)Milkshakes, malts, smoothiesClear or creamed soups (thinned, strained, no solids)Honey, syrup, sugarGelatin, pudding, custardIce pops, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet (no nuts, candy, solid toppings/coatings)Yogurt (regular or Greek; no granola, seeds, fruit chunks)Melted cheesePowdered protein, dry milk, other nutritional supplementsLiquid dietary supplements (Ensure, Glucerna, Boost)
Fruit and vegetable juice (no pulp)
Broth
Soft drinks
Sports drinks, electrolyte-replacement 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
Powdered protein, dry milk, other nutritional supplements
Liquid dietary supplements (Ensure, Glucerna, Boost)
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
A Full Liquid Diet Menu
The following is a sample menu for a full liquid diet:
Full Liquid Diet Side Effects
If you need to be on a full liquid diet for more than a few days, you may become constipated from the lack of fiber. Your healthcare provider may recommend an over-the-counterfiber supplement, such as Metamucil, to relieve your symptoms.
You might also have frequent,loose stoolson a full liquid diet simply because you are not consuming solids. As you begin to return to a solid food diet, your bowel movements should improve.
Can You Lose Weight on a Liquid Diet?
You can lose weight on a full liquid diet if you do not consume enough calories. Most people require a minimum of 1,350 to 1,500 calories and 45 grams of protein a day.Weight loss may be sudden and significant even if you’re not on the diet for a long time.
To overcome this, ask your healthcare provider about high-calorie protein shakes like Ensure. You should start regaining weight once your calorie intake increases.
Because you are consuming fewer calories, vitamins, and minerals, you may feel fatigued, irritable, depressed, or generally unwell. Don’t hesitate to tell your healthcare provider about these symptoms as there may be solutions that can help.
Full Liquid Diet Modifications
A full liquid diet may need to be adjusted based on your age, general health, and any medical conditions you may have.
For instance:
Babies and Children
Some adjustments may be needed to make the full liquid diet safe for babies, toddlers, and children. For example, honey should not be given to a child under one year of age.
When creatingpuréesor liquid meals, avoid adding new foods to your child’s diet. Stick to those they already enjoy and indulge them with treats like ice cream or custard to add additional calories.
Speak with their healthcare provider about how much milk a child should drink, as it can be very filling. Adding electrolyte drinks or ice pops can help prevent dehydration if the child experiences diarrhea.
Tips and Considerations
Here are some tips that can help:
Full Liquid Diet vs. Other Diets
A full liquid diet is similar to other diets used to treat digestive disorders or help you get ready for or recover from surgery. However, there are some key differences.
Clear Liquid Diet
A full liquid diet is similar to a clear liquid diet, which is often necessary before surgery and is a required part of the prep for a colonoscopy.
The main difference is that a clear liquid diet only allows fluids that are completely free of particles, such aswater, pulp-free apple juice, and broth. Other juices and bullion may be okay as long as they have been thoroughly strained. Thick, opaque fluids are not allowed.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Mechanical Soft Diets
Amechanical soft dietis one that doesn’t require much chewing. With that said, certain soft foods may be excluded based on their texture or consistency. These include foods that are high in fiber or fat, even if they are easy to chew.
A mechanical soft diet is typically recommended if you’re healing from an injury or surgery involving your mouth, jaw, or throat. It also allows your digestive system to rest after an illness or surgery.
A mechanical soft diet may also be recommended as you progress from a full liquid diet back to regular solid food.
Dysphagia Diet
If you have trouble swallowing (dysphagia), your doctor may recommend a special, three-stage diet to help you get back to eating solid food:
After you’ve moved through all of these stages, you should be ready to consume a normal solid food diet.
Summary
Your healthcare provider may prescribe a full liquid diet if you are recovering from an injury or illness that makes it hard for you to chew, swallow, or digest food. It may also be recommended after gastrointestinal surgery to heal you better.
Full liquid diets are usually used for a few days and up to two weeks. Side effects includeconstipation, diarrhea, fatigue, tiredness, and weight loss.
To better ensure you meet your nutritional needs, work with your healthcare provider, a registered dietitian, or a nutritionist who can help you build an appropriate dietary plan.
5 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.
U.S. Department of Agriculture; Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Full liquid diet.
Northwestern Medicine. Full liquid diet.
MedlinePlus.Full liquid diet.
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