Clear Liquid Diet

DESCRIPTION

The clear liquid diet is composed of foods with low residue content which are liquid in form to minimize the load of food needing digestion in the intestines. This diet is used after an operation or acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. It also has application in many illnesses characterized by a high fever.

This diet is designed to provide adequate amounts of fluid electrolytes and modest rapidly absorbed calories so as to promote a return to normal diets.

By definition, this diet is very low in calories and will result in muscle wasting (loss) if continued indefinitely. This diet is also below the RDA in all vitamin and mineral components except vitamin C, and can promote deficiency if not supplemented with an absorbable micronutrient preparation. This diet should not be continued beyond two days without protein, calorie, vitamin, and mineral supplementation.

SAMPLE MENU FOR ONE DAY

Breakfast

• 1 cup apple juice (strained)
• 1/2 cup fruit-flavored gelatin dessert
• 1/2 cup broth
• Hot, non-caloric beverage

Mid-Morning Snack

• 1 cup fruit juice

Lunch

• 1 cup orange juice (strained)
• 1/2 cup fruit-flavored gelatin
• 1 cup broth

Mid-Afternoon Snack

• 1 cup fruit juice

Dinner

• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup fruit flavored gelatin dessert
• 1/2 cup broth
• Hot, non-caloric beverage

Evening Snack

• 1 cup fruit juice

Nutrient Content

• Calories: 790
• Protein: 3%
• Carbohydrate: 92%
• Fat: 5%
• Cholesterol: 20 mg
• Fiber: 3 g

FOOD EXCHANGE MENU

Bread and Cereal Exchange List

Recommended: Gelatin

Avoid: All others

Fat Exchange List

Recommended: None

Avoid: All

Fruit Exchange List

Recommended: Clear and strained fruit juices or drinks

Avoid: All others

Meat and Meat Substitute

Exchange List

Recommended: None

Avoid: All

Milk Exchange List

Recommended: None

Avoid: All

Vegetable Exchange List

Recommended: None

Avoid: All

Miscellaneous Exchange List

Recommended:

• Coffee (black)
• Carbonated beverages
• Ice
• Tea (black)
• Fat free broth

Avoid:All others not noted above

Note:

Number of food exchange list units are not applicable in the Clear Liquid Diet.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Iowa Dietetics Association. 1984. "Simplified Diet Manual: with Meal Patterns," 5th ed. Iowa State University Press; Ames, Iowa. 108 pp.

Chicago Dietetic Association and the South Suburban Dietetic Association of Cook and Will Counties. 1981. Manual of Clinical Dietetics. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.

American Cancer Society. Facts on Prostate Cancer.