Liquid Diet Drinks: What's Allowed And What's Not

A liquid diet plan is often recommended by doctors for a short period of time, such as after surgery or for those with swallowing difficulties. It includes all foods that are liquid or will turn to liquid at room temperature or melt at body temperature. This can include milk, non-dairy milk, broth, juice, tea, coffee, cider, chai, and smoothies.

Broths, juices and other drinks

A full liquid diet is usually recommended for people who have had surgery on their stomach or intestine, or who are having trouble swallowing or chewing. It includes all foods that are liquid or will turn to liquid at room temperature or melt at body temperature. This gives you more nutrition than a clear liquid diet, which includes only drinks like water, tea, and broth.

You can also add butter or margarine to your meals to increase the calorie and fat content. To add protein, you can use protein shakes and powders, nonfat dry milk, instant breakfast powders, and powdered egg whites.

Dairy is approved for a full liquid diet. You can drink milk or lactose-free alternatives by the glass or add them to smoothies and shakes. Yogurt is also allowed and can be used as a base for both sweet and savoury recipes.

Adding calories to tea and coffee

A liquid diet plan can be recommended after surgery or for those with swallowing problems. It includes all foods that are liquid or will turn to liquid at room temperature or melt at body temperature. This can include tea and coffee, and there are ways to add calories to these drinks.

Tea and coffee can be made with milk, half-and-half, or non-dairy creamer to add calories. You can also add milk, butter, or margarine to your meals to increase the calorie count. If you want to add protein to your liquid diet, you can use protein shakes and powders, nonfat dry milk, instant breakfast powders, and powdered egg whites.

If you are looking for a more savoury option, Greek yoghurt can be a good base for liquid meals. For something sweeter, regular yoghurt can be used as a base. You can also add milk to your yoghurt to make it more liquid.

Dairy is approved for a liquid diet, so you can add whole milk or creamer to your tea or coffee to increase the calorie count. You can also add milk to smoothies and shakes.

It is important to note that a liquid diet is usually only recommended for a short period, such as five days to two weeks. It is always best to check with your healthcare provider before starting a liquid diet.

Dairy and non-dairy alternatives

Yoghurt is another dairy option that can be used as a base for both sweet and savoury liquid meals. Greek yoghurt is a good choice for savoury recipes, while regular yoghurt works well for sweeter-tasting meals.

Non-dairy alternatives include non-dairy creamer, as mentioned above, as well as nonfat dry milk, which can be added to drinks to increase protein intake.

Other drinks that are suitable for a full liquid diet include clear broths, pulp-free juices, and hot beverages like cider, chai, and milk-based espresso drinks, as long as they do not contain solid pieces.

Protein shakes and powders

A liquid diet is usually recommended for a short period of time, such as after surgery on your stomach or intestine, or if you are having trouble swallowing or chewing. It can also be a step to advance from a clear liquid diet to a regular diet.

You can also add protein powder to shakes and smoothies. Milk or lactose-free alternatives are approved for a liquid diet and can be added to shakes and smoothies. Yogurt is also allowed and works well as a base for sweeter or savoury recipes.

Nonfat dry milk, instant breakfast powders, and powdered egg whites are other good sources of protein that can be added to a liquid diet.

Desserts

A liquid diet plan is similar to a clear liquid diet, but it includes all foods that are liquid or will turn to liquid at room temperature or melt at body temperature. This means that you can eat ice cream, frozen yogurt, and ice pops as long as they do not contain nuts, candy, pulp, or other hard pieces. Puddings and custards can be thinned to a liquid consistency with milk.

You can also have any clear broths, pulp-free juices, or other drinks. You can use milk, half-and-half, and non-dairy creamer to add calories to coffee or tea. Other hot beverages like cider, chai, and milk-based espresso drinks are approved as long as they do not contain solid pieces such as chocolate flakes or mulling spices.

To add calories and nutrients, prepare the cereal with whole milk or creamer instead of water or skim milk. You can also use butter or margarine to add calories and fat to your meals.

Protein shakes and powders, nonfat dry milk, instant breakfast powders, and powdered egg whites are recommended for adding protein to the full liquid diet.

Frequently asked questions