A clear liquid diet is usually recommended before or after surgery, during an acute illness such as digestive problems and sometimes as a pre-requisite before certain medical procedures.
The clear fluid diets aims to keep you well hydrated, maintain electrolyte balance and provide vitamins and minerals for energy when having a full diet is not possible or advisable. It is non-gas forming, non-irritating and non-stimulating.
This diet consists of…
• Water
• Strained fruit juices (without any pulp)
• Whey water
• Dal water
• Strained Barley water
• Coconut water (without coconut meat)
• Ice pops
• Non-carbonated beverages
Plain fat-free broth
This would leave no residue in the intestinal tract. Tea and coffee without sugar and milk can be included once a day as per choice while creamed soups and ice-creams are to be totally avoided.
This diet usually provides around 300 calories and no protein per day. Since it doesn’t give enough nutrition to the body, it is not recommended to continue it for more than 2 to 3 days depending on the patient’s tolerance. The amount of fluid given in the first hour is around 30 to 60 ml which gradually can be increased as per individual tolerance.
