As you already know that exercise and diet both are crucial for a healthy lifestyle. Not only does it prevent obesity, but it also improves the functioning of every organ. Nevertheless, you can easily get inspiration or a push to start exercising. That’s not the same with dieting.
It requires a lot of willpower to keep control over the calories intake. Moreover, stress, mood swings, and several other factors also contribute to cravings. Particularly for the sweet and fried food. That’s why it becomes very challenging to find a suitable diet plan.
Fortunately, you can try a full liquid diet that is easy to follow, is for a short period, and helps keep you healthy.
What Is A Full Liquid Diet?
As the name suggests, in this diet plan only liquid items or foods that turn into liquid at room temperature are used. It usually includes water, tea, juice, milkshakes, popsicle sticks, pudding, soup, etc.
What Are The Benefits?
Generally speaking, a liquid diet is mainly used before medical tests and procedures. It ensures that the test results are accurate. Thus, further treatment is executed. It is mostly recommended before any surgery. Apart from this, if you have trouble chewing or swallowing, a liquid diet can provide you all the required nutrients. It is particularly good if you are going for a dental checkup.
Not to mention, it also helps in improving your digestive system. And reduces the chances of nausea and vomiting.
In fact, if you are drinking tea or a smoothie, your body also gets benefits from the fruits or herbs used in beverages.
For instance, if you drink Agaricus blazei Murrill mushroom tea in the morning. It will help stimulate your immune system. Plus, it is very effective for diabetes and reduces cholesterol levels. Due to the medicinal properties of Agaricus Blazei, many healthcare professionals recommend its supplements to improve liver function and prevent osteoporosis. In simple terms, adding mushroom tea to your diet will benefit your health immensely.
Likewise, your body will get the benefit of fruits and vegetables that you include in your smoothies. In a nutshell, a liquid diet will help remove toxins from your body and help you stay fit and healthy.
What Can You Eat?
Many people believe that there are not many options available in the liquid diet plan. However, with the techniques of melting, thinning, pureeing, straining, you can turn a lot of solid foods (such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and also cheese) diet-friendly. It will ensure that you feel full and your body gets all the nutrients. Here is the list of items that you can consume in this diet:
- Fruit and vegetable juice (no pulp)
- Coffee, tea (preferably herbal tea)
- Broth
- Milk or dairy-free milk alternatives (soy, almond)
- Milkshakes, malts, smoothies
- Soft drinks
- Sports drinks, electrolyte-replacement drinks
- Gelatin, pudding, custard
- Yogurt (regular or Greek; no granola, seeds, fruit chunks)
- Clear or creamed soups (thinned, strained, no solids)
- Honey, syrup, sugar
- Ice pops, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet (no nuts, candy, solid toppings/coatings)
- Melted cheese
- Powdered protein, dry milk, other nutritional supplements
- Liquid dietary supplements (Ensure, Glucerna, Boost)
- Cooked, refined cereals, such as cream of rice, oatmeal, grits, or flour.
- Potatoes puree in soup
In addition to these, you can also consume meat if it is thinned, strained, or pureed. Not to mention, you can also consult your doctor or dietitian. They can include some solid foods in your diet. Generally, it is done to slowly resume the regular diet. It is also suitable for people with diabetes.
How Does It Work?
A liquid diet is typically used for meal replacement. It is low in calories, thus helps in losing weight. Plus, the diet is planned to contain an apt amount of nutrients to help your body. It also includes micronutrients and macronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fats. It helps in keeping count of calories intake, thus is included in weight loss programs.
Furthermore, this diet plan also serves the purpose of a detox diet and cleanses. That means it helps in flushing out toxic substances from the body.
Other examples of detox plans are long-term water fasting and juicing programs. It helps in rejuvenating your body. Plus, it helps in resolving digestive problems. So, when you switch back to a regular diet, your body will be more healthy.
Nevertheless, you must consult your doctor or dietitian before starting the liquid diet plan. They might ask you a few questions or even help create a plan that gives your body proper nutrients and energy. Apart from this, they might also give you proper instructions. So, you must follow them.
Recommended Timing
This diet plan is usually suggested for the short term. The period of 2 weeks is more than enough for your body to detox. After that, you should shift to the regular diet. Otherwise, your body might get affected.
Another thing that you need to take care of is whether or not you have consumed adequate nutrition on the given day. The rule of thumb is to consume enough that makes you feel full and satisfied. If you do not get full easily, try drinking small amounts of liquid (preferably sips) every 15 to 30 minutes.
You need to plan your meal at least 6 to 8 times a day. Therefore, you must consult your dietitian, as they can help you plan them.
Also, do not ignore the feeling of hunger or do not starve yourself. As you will be consuming only liquids for a week or two. Therefore, it is essential that you drink adequate amounts of smoothies, shakes, or tea to stay energized and full throughout the day.
Wrapping It Up!
A liquid diet can provide you with proper nutrients and proteins to help your body stay fit. Nevertheless, it is recommended to follow this diet plan before visiting the dentist or going for a check-up. Besides that, you should create a mix of the liquid and regular diet. It will help improve the functioning of your body. So, you’ll be able to live a healthy and fit life.