A fluid
diet is a diet that mostly consists of liquids, or soft foods that melt
at room temperature (such as gelatin and ice cream). A fluid diet usually helps
provide sufficient hydration, helps maintain electrolyte balance, and is often
prescribed for people when solid food diets are not recommended, such as for
people who suffer with gastrointestinal illness or damage, or before or after
certain types of medical tests or surgeries involving the
mouth or
the digestive tract.
diet is a diet that mostly consists of liquids, or soft foods that melt
at room temperature (such as gelatin and ice cream). A fluid diet usually helps
provide sufficient hydration, helps maintain electrolyte balance, and is often
prescribed for people when solid food diets are not recommended, such as for
people who suffer with gastrointestinal illness or damage, or before or after
certain types of medical tests or surgeries involving the
mouth or
the digestive tract.
Types of Fluid Diet
Clear
fluid diet
fluid diet
A clear liquid diet
consists of transparent liquid foods, and does not contain any solid
particulates. This includes vegetable broth, bouillon (excepting any
particulate dregs), clear fruit juices, clear fruit ices, clear gelatin desserts, and certain carbonated drinks such as
ginger-ale and seltzer water.
consists of transparent liquid foods, and does not contain any solid
particulates. This includes vegetable broth, bouillon (excepting any
particulate dregs), clear fruit juices, clear fruit ices, clear gelatin desserts, and certain carbonated drinks such as
ginger-ale and seltzer water.
Full
fluid diet
fluid diet
A full or strained fluid
diet consists of both clear and opaque liquid foods with a smooth consistency,
and not of red or purple color. It includes milk, milkshakes, cocoa, coffee,
teas, plain ice cream (ice cream that does not contain pieces of fruit,
chocolate, or candy), smooth plain milk or dark chocolate (allowed to melt in
the mouth), certain custard desserts, gelatins and puddings absent of coconut
or other inclusions or toppings, strained cream soups, fruit nectar with or
without pulp, coconut water or coconut milk without pulp or bits of coconut
flesh, smooth cooked cereal such as cream of wheat (oatmeal is best avoided due
to it having a larger fiber content), butter, and honey.
diet consists of both clear and opaque liquid foods with a smooth consistency,
and not of red or purple color. It includes milk, milkshakes, cocoa, coffee,
teas, plain ice cream (ice cream that does not contain pieces of fruit,
chocolate, or candy), smooth plain milk or dark chocolate (allowed to melt in
the mouth), certain custard desserts, gelatins and puddings absent of coconut
or other inclusions or toppings, strained cream soups, fruit nectar with or
without pulp, coconut water or coconut milk without pulp or bits of coconut
flesh, smooth cooked cereal such as cream of wheat (oatmeal is best avoided due
to it having a larger fiber content), butter, and honey.
Lactose-free
fluid diet
fluid diet
A lactose-free diet is a
fluid diet that is specialized in not having foods that may have milk or cheese
in it. It is usually only prescribed to people who may be lactose intolerant. It only differs from a full liquid diet in that it
usually omits ice cream (including sherbet, but not milk-free sorbet), yogurt, cheese, certain
creams, and any pre-made/pre-packaged foods that may contain milk or cheese.
fluid diet that is specialized in not having foods that may have milk or cheese
in it. It is usually only prescribed to people who may be lactose intolerant. It only differs from a full liquid diet in that it
usually omits ice cream (including sherbet, but not milk-free sorbet), yogurt, cheese, certain
creams, and any pre-made/pre-packaged foods that may contain milk or cheese.
Low-fiber
fluid diet
fluid diet
A low-fiber fluid diet is a
diet that requires avoiding or lowering foods that may contain large amounts of
fiber. This diet is usually used for people suffering from certain digestive
problems such as Inflammatory bowel disease. Common foods omitted from this diet are cooked
cereals (such as cream of wheat), oatmeal, and certain
fruit or vegetable mushes.
diet that requires avoiding or lowering foods that may contain large amounts of
fiber. This diet is usually used for people suffering from certain digestive
problems such as Inflammatory bowel disease. Common foods omitted from this diet are cooked
cereals (such as cream of wheat), oatmeal, and certain
fruit or vegetable mushes.
Food Allowed
A clear fluid diet helps maintain adequate
hydration, provides some important electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium,
and gives some energy at a time when a full diet isn’t possible or recommended.
hydration, provides some important electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium,
and gives some energy at a time when a full diet isn’t possible or recommended.
The following foods are allowed in a clear fluid
diet:
diet:
- Water
(plain, carbonated or flavoured) - Fruit
juices without pulp, such as apple or white grape - Fruit-flavoured
beverages, such as fruit punch or lemonade - Carbonated
drinks, including dark sodas (cola and root beer) - Gelatin
- Tea
or coffee without milk or cream - Strained
tomato or vegetable juice - Sports
drinks - Clear,
fat-free broth - Honey
or sugar - Hard
candy, such as lemon drops or peppermint rounds - Ice
pops without milk, bits of fruit, seeds or nuts
Any foods not on the above list should be avoided.
Also, for certain tests, such as colon exams, your doctor may ask you to avoid
liquids or gelatin with red coloring.
Also, for certain tests, such as colon exams, your doctor may ask you to avoid
liquids or gelatin with red coloring.
Application of Clear Fluid and Full Liquid Diet
A typical menu on the clear liquid diet may look
like this.
like this.
Breakfast
- 1
glass pulp-free fruit juice - 1
bowl gelatin - 1
cup of coffee or tea, without dairy products - Sugar
or honey, if desired
Snack
- 1
glass fruit juice (pulp-free) - 1
bowl gelatin
Lunch
- 1
glass pulp-free fruit juice - 1
glass water - 1
cup broth - 1
bowl gelatin
Snack
- 1
pulp-free ice pop - 1
cup coffee or tea, without dairy products, or a soft drink - Sugar
or honey if desired
Dinner
- 1
cup pulp-free juice or water - 1
cup broth - 1
bowl gelatin - 1
cup coffee or tea, without dairy products - Sugar
or honey, if desired.
