Clear liquid diet guidelines (2024)

Clear Liquid Diet Guidelines

Purpose of the clear liquid diet

The clear liquid diet supplies fluids and energy from foods that require very little digestion. This diet is often used in preparation for surgery and lower endoscopy procedures. The clear liquids reduce bowel residue and provide fluids to ease thirst. These liquids also provide certain salts and minerals and prevent dehydration.

It is important that the clear liquid diet be followed exactly. Remember that the value of the examination will depend on getting a thoroughly clean bowel.

Nutrition

A clear liquid diet is not adequate in calories and nutrients. It should not be followed for more than five days unless supplemented by high-protein gelatin or other low residue supplements.

Allowed and Recommended Foods

Beverages:

  • Water, coffee, or tea (no milk or non-dairy creamer)
  • Strained fruit juices with no pulp (apple juice, white grape juice, lemonade)
  • Soft drinks/Sports drinks (ginger ale, cola, Sprite, 7-Up, Gatorade)

Soups:

  • Chicken or Beef bouillon/broth, low sodium, fat free

Desserts:

  • Jell-O (lemon, lime, orange, NO fruit, NO toppings)
  • Popsicles (NO sherbets, NO fruit bars)
  • Hard candies

Do not drink or eat anything with red or purple coloring. Red/purple food coloring can leave a residue in the bowel that resembles blood. Keep this in mind when purchasing Jell-O, Popsicles, hard candy, drinks, etc.

No solid foods allowed, including milk/milk products.

If you have any questions or concerns, call the nurse coordinator at 650-725-9772.

Clear liquid diet guidelines (2024)

FAQs

What qualifies for a clear liquid diet? ›

A clear liquid diet is a specific dietary plan that only includes liquids that are fully transparent at room temperature. Some items that may be allowed include water, ice, fruit juices without pulp, sports drinks, carbonated drinks, gelatin, tea, coffee, clear broths, and clear ice pops.

Can you have applesauce on a clear liquid diet? ›

Is applesauce OK for a clear liquid diet? No, applesauce is not clear or liquid. It is considered a soft food, according to Arnaout.

What soups can you eat on a clear liquid diet? ›

Clear Liquids Diet
Choose these foods/beverages
Fruits/JuicesClear fruit juices without pulp such as apple juice, grape juice, cranberry juice.
SoupsBroth, bouillon, fat-free consommé.
BeveragesCoffee, tea (hot or cold), Kool-Aid, soda, water, lactose-free supplements if recommended by your doctor.
6 more rows

Can you eat scrambled eggs on a clear liquid diet? ›

Consommé NO solid foods such as meat, chicken, breads, vegetables, fruit, nuts, eggs, or cheese. NO dairy products such as milk, creamer, and non-dairy creamer, ice cream, whipped cream, half & half, etc. NO cloudy liquids such as orange juice, tomato juice or soup, potato soup, and vegetable or meat soup.

How do you satisfy your hunger on a clear liquid diet? ›

Try bone broth or an Ensure Clear nutrition drink. Decaffeinated drinks also have been proven to decrease hunger pangs. Need to chew? Try munching on ice, gummy bears or gelatin.

Which food drink item is allowed on a clear liquid diet? ›

Diet details

The following items are often part of a clear liquid diet: Water, plain, carbonated or flavored. Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple or white grape juice. Fruit-flavored beverages, such as fruit punch or lemonade.

What desserts can you eat on a clear liquid diet? ›

desserts
  • Jello, except red.
  • Popsicles, except red.
  • Snowballs, except red.

How to get protein on a clear liquid diet? ›

The best thing to do is to choose the most nutritious options you can eat while on the clear liquid diet. For example, if you want to drink broth, choose bone broth, which is rich in vitamins and nutrients, particularly protein. Another option is to select a premade nutritional drink such as Ensure Clear.

Can I eat gummy bears on a clear liquid diet? ›

Gummy bears dissolve to a clear liquid at body temperature, so they are okay to take with your prep the day before the procedure if you want something “solid” to eat. AVOID red or purple gummy bears. DO NOT eat gummy bears on the day of the procedure. Drink as much clear liquid as possible during the prep.

What are the 3 types of clear soups? ›

Clear soups include broth, hearty broth, and Consommé.

Is chicken noodle soup considered a clear liquid diet? ›

Approved clear liquids: a good combination of these clear fluids, including 2-3 cups of strained chicken noodle soup will give you a variation in fluid intake). Water, clear salty fluids (eg.

Can you eat ramen noodles on a clear liquid diet? ›

Can have a light breakfast (eggs, yogurt, white toast, Ramen noodles, etc.). Avoid all cereals, fruit, seeds, nuts and meat products. After your light breakfast drink only clear liquids for the entire day (see clear liquid examples below). Do not eat solid foods or milk products.

Can you eat mashed potatoes on a clear liquid diet? ›

Do not eat any foods that require chewing (including soft foods). Liquid foods do not include mashed foods, such as mashed potatoes. Do not eat those textures. Talk with your Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) regarding any questions you may have about your diet recommendations or your swallowing.

What is not allowed on clear liquid diet? ›

Do not drink or eat anything with red or purple coloring. Red/purple food coloring can leave a residue in the bowel that resembles blood. Keep this in mind when purchasing Jell-O, Popsicles, hard candy, drinks, etc. No solid foods allowed, including milk/milk products.

How do you not starve the day before a colonoscopy? ›

Low residue breakfast foods include eggs, white bread, cottage cheese, yogurt, grits, coffee, and tea. You may have clear liquids. Do not drink milk or eat or drink anything colored red or purple. Do not drink alcohol.

What foods can you have on a liquid diet? ›

You may have these foods and drinks:
  • Water.
  • Fruit juices, including nectars and juices with pulp.
  • Butter, margarine, oil, cream, custard, and pudding.
  • Plain ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sherbet.
  • Fruit ices and popsicles.
  • Sugar, honey, and syrups.
  • Soup broth (bouillon, consommé, and strained cream soups, but no solids)
Jul 30, 2022

Is diet co*ke part of a clear liquid diet? ›

Fruit juices – No orange juice, grapefruit juice or V8. Coffee without creamer, but you can add Vanilla Boost. Tea – hot or cold. Soft drinks – Sprite, co*ke, Diet co*ke, Mountain Dew; no red or purple dyes.

Does Gatorade qualify as a clear liquid? ›

A: A clear liquid is generally considered one that you can see through to the other side. Acceptable clear liquids include: water, tea, Apple juice, Ginger ale, Sprite, 7UP, Gatorade, Powerade, Vitamin Water, Crystal Light. Black coffee is considered a clear liquid.

Can you have chicken noodle soup on a clear liquid diet? ›

If you're looking to have a meal during your clear food diet, consider indulging in some soup. You may not be able to have an ordinary can of Campbells Chicken Noodle but having a bowl of broth will do the trick. Generally, vegetable, beef or chicken broth are all acceptable options while on the clear food diet.

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