A liquid diet can be a very viable approach towards managing specific health conditions, as well as a quick weight loss remedy. Whether prescribed by a doctor for medical reasons or adopted as a means of detoxification or weight management, the liquid diet requires careful planning and understanding. It involves consuming only liquids or foods that turn liquid at room temperature. However, embarking on this dietary journey involves knowing which foods are included, the potential risks, and the guidelines to follow.

Here is everything you must know to begin on a liquid diet.

What is Liquid Diet?

A liquid diet, in a nutshell, is a diet that limits food intake of solid to be taken in a liquid form, food that can liquefy at room temperature. These include juice, smoothies, and even broths, or gelatin and ice pops. Liquid diets are commonly done in the hospital for those who cannot take in a normal diet because of health reasons, such as after surgery, due to illness, or digestive issues.

There are mainly two types: clear liquid diet and full liquid diet. Although they have both found wide usage in a medical field, individuals are known to keep the diet of this nature just to detox or shed off the body weight. As such, details of what can be eaten and what is allowed will all be dependent upon what version is one using as well as one's reason behind going for it.

Types of Liquid Diets

1. Clear Liquid Diet

A clear liquid diet is the most restrictive type of liquid diet. Stanford University Medical Center defines clear liquids as liquid that is translucent and usually devoid of any particles of solid food. Some of the most common foods in a clear liquid diet include clear broths, tea, cranberry juice, Jell-O, and popsicles. This diet is usually prescribed before undergoing any medical procedure or surgery as it gives the digestive system time to rest. The point of an all-liquid diet is that it offers nutrition in limited amounts and thus should only be used in short duration, such as 3 to 5 days at most and always under strict medical supervision.

2. Full Liquid Diet

A full liquid diet is not as restricted and provides a wide variety. This diet contains all the food components of the clear liquid diet and adds thicker liquids, including cream-based soups, milkshakes, pudding, and pulp-containing juices. Full liquid diets are commonly given to patients immediately after surgery or other medical interventions to transition patients from a clear liquid diet toward solid foods once they have improved.

This diet can be a more balanced source of nutrition because it might contain drinks such as Ensure or Boost, which contain necessary nutrients-protein and calories.

Also Read: This Vegetable Juice Is One Of The Most Hydrating Drinks You Can Have

What Can Be Eaten on a Liquid Diet

While on a liquid diet, food choice is left mostly to the kind of liquid diet that a patient is undergoing. The foods below are allowed in each kind:

• Clear broths or consommes
• Tea, black or green, without milk or cream
• Cranberry juice or apple juice, pulp-free
• Popsicles and gelatin
• Clear sports drinks, without artificial colors or sweeteners

This diet is best for pre-surgery preparation, post-surgery recovery, or detoxification before diagnostic tests. It is essential to note that a clear liquid diet is not meant to be a long-term source of nutrition since it does not contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, or proteins.

All liquids as listed above clear diet

• Soups pureed or strained (creamed tomato, vegetable soup, etc.)
• Milkshakes and smoothies
• Pudding, custard, ice cream, with no lumps
• Nutritional drinks like Ensure or Boost
• Fruit juices with pulp is allowed

This diet is very flexible and allows for a much more nutritional diet, which will be needed when the patient has to consume many calories, proteins, and all the essential vitamins while recovering from illness or surgery.

Managing Meals on a Liquid Diet

Breakfast

You might start the day on a liquid diet, such as a glass of fruit juice or a nutritional drink. These are helpful for adding calories and protein to your intake. You can have tea or coffee without cream or milk. You might be able to have cooked cereal, such as oatmeal or cream of wheat, thinned with extra milk on a full liquid diet.

Lunch and Dinner

In a clear liquid diet, foods are mainly the clear broth or consomme. Other allowed foods in the diet include Jell-O, clear sports drinks, and plain popsicles. In a full liquid diet, lunch and dinner may consist of pureed soups or creamed and strained soups like cream of mushroom or chicken. Protein powder or skim milk powder can be added to soups to raise protein levels.

Snacks and Desserts

Liquid diets are commonly supplemented with nutritious snacks and desserts. For instance, milkshakes, pudding, ice cream, or fruit juice bars are all filling, yet nutrient-providing foods. If you are on a full liquid diet, custard-style yogurt or creamy smoothies with added protein powder or honey can keep you full and fulfill your caloric needs.

How Liquid Diets Can Impact Weight Loss?

Although liquid diets are prescribed for medical reasons, some people follow them to lose weight. Liquid diets without medical supervision may include drastically reduced calorie intake. Most people use juice cleanses or all-liquid detox diets, which include a mix of fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, and water throughout the day.

A study published in Obesity Surgery (2018) reported that patients who were on a very low-calorie liquid diet before bariatric surgery lost a lot of weight, about 8-10 pounds within one to two weeks. However, using liquid diets for weight loss purposes may not be sustainable in the long term and can be challenging to maintain. Moreover, the weight loss may not be significant enough to justify using this approach long-term.

For those looking to lose weight, a more balanced approach is usually recommended, such as the Mediterranean diet or other well-balanced meal plans that are more sustainable and provide adequate nutrition.

Do You Need a Liquid Diet?

If your doctor prescribes a liquid diet, it’s typically safe to follow, but it's essential to consult your healthcare provider to discuss any changes or concerns during your diet. A liquid diet can be an effective tool for pre-surgical preparation or recovery, but it should be followed carefully and under the guidance of a professional.

For those thinking about a liquid diet to lose weight, it's important to keep in mind that liquid diets are not a long-term solution. They may help you achieve results quickly, but sustainable weight loss requires a balanced, nutritious eating plan that you can stick with for the long haul. A dietitian or nutritionist consultation before beginning a liquid diet can help ensure you're making a healthy decision about your health.

Starting a liquid diet, whether for medical reasons or weight loss, requires careful planning and guidance. Understanding the types of liquid diets and their potential risks is crucial to ensuring you maintain optimal health while following the plan. Always consult your doctor before beginning any liquid diet, and remember that a balanced, long-term approach to nutrition is key to sustained health and wellness.

Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and long-term changes in weight and waist circumference in the EPIC-Italy cohort. Nutr Diabetes. 2018

The Effects Of Under-Eating. National Centre for Eating Disorders.

Defining the Optimal Dietary Approach for Safe, Effective and Sustainable Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults. Healthcare (Basel). 2018

Effectiveness, Compliance, and Acceptability of Preoperative Weight Loss with a Liquid Very Low-Calorie Diet Before Bariatric Surgery in Real Practice. OBES SURG. 2019

If you’ve ever thought that boosting metabolism requires protein powders, extreme diets or fancy gym routines, think again. According to experts, your metabolism could benefit more from a pot of mint on your kitchen window than a supplement in your cabinet. And you can also grow it yourself.

Your Backyard is a Bioactive Goldmine

“Boosting your metabolism naturally isn’t about chasing quick fixes,” says Maninder Singh Nayyar, Founder, CEF Group. “It is about giving your body the kind of nourishment that helps it convert food into energy more efficiently.”

He explains that many metabolism-friendly foods can actually be cultivated at home. “Moringa, mint, lemongrass, curry leaves, green chillies, turmeric, and microgreens are all rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds that help reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and support the body’s natural fat-burning ability.”

Spices and Herbs that Work Behind the Scenes

Each ingredient brings its own superpower to the table. “Take mint, for example, it helps improve bile flow and relaxes the stomach muscles, which supports digestion and better nutrient absorption, both key to a healthy metabolism,” says Nayyar, referencing insights from Sova Health.

Green chillies, he adds, are fiery for a reason. “They contain capsaicin, known to increase the body’s heat production and energy use, while turmeric helps enhance insulin sensitivity and brings down inflammation, both of which benefit metabolic health over time,” he says.

The Power of Growing Your Own

“Growing these ingredients at home, whether it’s a pot of mint on your windowsill or a few microgreens in your kitchen, adds an extra layer of freshness and trust to your meals,” Nayyar explains. “It also creates a stronger connection with what you eat.”

Urban farming, he says, is more than a trend. It’s becoming a practical solution. “Studies show that urban farming can increase access to fresh produce by up to 30% in cities, and it plays a growing role in tackling nutrition and sustainability challenges in densely populated areas.”

Nutrition Straight from the Soil

Payal Sharma, Senior Nutritionist and Dietician at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Delhi, says, “Optimising the body's metabolic function is fundamentally about providing it with the right raw materials, and home-grown foods offer an exceptional source.” This isn't about fleeting fads; it's about harnessing the inherent power of nutrient-dense produce to enhance our natural energy conversion processes.

She elaborates on how these natural ingredients work. “When we cultivate ingredients like moringa, mint, lemongrass, curry leaves, green chillies, turmeric, and microgreens, we're tapping into a rich pharmacy of bioactive compounds and antioxidants.”

It’s not just about individual ingredients either. “Capsaicin in green chillies is well-documented for its ability to induce thermogenesis, gently increasing the body's caloric expenditure. Similarly, turmeric's potent curcuminoids play a vital role in reducing systemic inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity, critical factors in how effectively our bodies utilise glucose for energy.”

From Garden to Gut

According to Sharma, the freshness of just-harvested herbs and greens makes all the difference. “The unparalleled freshness and vibrant nutrient profile of just-harvested produce ensure that these beneficial compounds are delivered in their most potent form. This direct link from garden to plate not only maximises nutritional intake but also fosters a deeper, more mindful relationship with food, empowering individuals to truly fuel their metabolism from the ground up.”

TikTok’s health trends never seem to stop, and the latest one is fibermaxxing, a catchy name for something dietitians have already been preaching for years: eat your fibre. While the trend may sound like a clever hashtag, it has got people munching on lentils, oats, berries and veggies like never before. But is this just another health fad? We find out.

What Is Fibermaxxing?

Simply put, fibermaxxing is all about loading up your plate with fibre-rich foods. They include chickpeas, whole grains, flax seeds, fruit skins and all those leafy greens you keep ignoring. The term originated, like every other term, on TikTok, where creators began sharing fibre-loaded meals and showing off their impressive digestive health wins.

The hashtag #fibermaxxing took off in 2023 and has since drawn millions of views. Behind the scenes, the goal of this trend is fairly wholesome: to encourage people to meet their daily recommended fibre intake.

Why Experts Say It is Actually a Good Idea but in Moderation

Fibre has always been a nutritionist's favourite. Health experts have been saying it forever: getting enough fibre every day can seriously boost your overall health. It helps keep your digestion on track, keeps your blood sugar steady, and even brings down cholesterol levels. On top of all that, it has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.

Plus, fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, which means fewer snack attacks and better weight management without trying too hard.

How Much Fibre is Too Much Fibre?

As with most TikTok trends, the issue is not the idea but the excess. Experts caution that suddenly jumping on the fibermaxxing trend without building up gradually can lead to bloating, gas, constipation, or the dreaded combination of all three.

Fibre draws water into the digestive tract and bulks up stool, which is great, but only if your body is used to it and you are drinking enough fluids. Adding too much too soon can overwhelm your gut and leave you feeling worse, not better.

If your stomach tends to be on the sensitive side or you have something like IBS, suddenly flooding your system with a ton of fibre can actually make things worse. Instead of feeling lighter and healthier, you might end up feeling gassy, bloated or straight-up uncomfortable. So while this trend is all about gut health, jumping in too fast can totally backfire.

How to Fibremaxx Without Wrecking Your Stomach

• Take it slow: Do not shock your system. Add a little more fibre to your meals every few days so your gut has time to catch up.
• Hydrate like a champ: Fibre needs water to do its thing. If you are not drinking enough, you could end up feeling more blocked than balanced.
• Stick to real food: Go for natural, whole sources like fruits with the skin, veggies, lentils, oats, brown rice, nuts, and whole grain everything.
• Mix your fibre types: Soluble fibre like oats, apples and flaxseeds helps with digestion, while insoluble fibre like leafy greens and whole grains keeps things moving.
• Do not go overboard: A giant portion of lentils might look cool in a reel, but your stomach might not agree. Keep it balanced.

Easy Ways to Add More Fibre

• Swap white rice for brown or red rice
• Sprinkle chia or flaxseeds on your yoghurt
• Stir lentils into your soups, dals, or pasta sauces
• Munch on roasted chickpeas or a handful of almonds
• Do not peel your apples or cucumbers
• Start your day with oats or a whole grain cereal

Known as a silent killer, high blood pressure is a much more common issue than we believe. It is a condition where the blood pushes against your artery walls, creating pressure. It not only increases the chances of heart disease and strokes but was a contributing cause of 664,470 deaths in the US, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. So how does one tackle this issue?

New research suggests that drinking a bit of vegetable juice every day might help older folks lower their blood pressure. Beetroot juice is especially good because it has a lot of something called nitrate. Nitrate is important for how our bodies work and has been linked to lower blood pressure and healthier blood vessels.

How Beetroot Juice Might Work: A Mouth-Body Connection

Researchers at the University of Exeter believe that beetroot juice's positive effects on heart health could be due to changes it makes to the bacteria in your mouth.

In their study, participants drank either regular beetroot juice (full of nitrate) or a placebo drink (with nitrate removed). When people drank nitrate-rich beetroot juice, tests showed a decrease in certain mouth bacteria called Prevotella and an increase in beneficial bacteria like Neisseria.

Notably, older participants in the study started with higher blood pressure on average. Their blood pressure went down after drinking the nitrate-rich beetroot juice, but not when they drank the placebo.

Science Behind Why It Helps

One of the researchers explained that this study shows how foods rich in nitrate can change the tiny organisms in our mouths. These changes could then lead to less swelling (inflammation) in the body and help to lower blood pressure in older people. This discovery is exciting because it opens the door for bigger studies to look more closely at how things like what we eat, and even if someone is male or female, affect how their body reacts to getting more nitrate from their diet. It helps us understand the hidden ways food can impact our health.

What the Study Found

The study involved two groups of adults: one group of 39 younger people (under 30 years old) and another group of 36 older people (in their 60s and 70s). Each person in the study tried both the real beetroot juice and the fake juice for two weeks at a time. The researchers observed that the changes in mouth bacteria happened in both the younger and older groups. However, the drop in blood pressure was only seen in the older participants.

Another researcher from the study mentioned that we already know that eating foods rich in nitrate is good for our health. She also pointed out that as people get older, their bodies naturally produce less of something called nitric oxide, which is important for blood vessels. Older adults also tend to have higher blood pressure, and high blood pressure can lead to serious heart problems like heart attacks and strokes. So, encouraging older adults to eat more vegetables with nitrate could offer really significant and lasting health benefits.