Your diet plays a major factor in your digestive health. The things that you eat have a major impact on how you feel and function. This is especially true if you have any underlying gastroenterological issues. Oftentimes these conditions will call for a restrictive diet. Restrictive diets can have a lot of benefits from losing weight to lowering cholesterol. One of the most restrictive diets is the clear liquid diet. This strategy is typically prescribed before certain medical tests or after specific surgeries. This is a short term diet, and should never be practiced without directions from your doctor. Here is everything you need to know about a clear liquid diet. 

What is the Point of a Clear Diet?

A clear diet is designed to clean and reset your digestive tract. Tests like colonoscopies, as well as other surgeries require a clean and clear digestive tract. When your digestive system is clear your doctor can more accurately, and easily identify and diagnose any potential problems. A clear liquid diet can also address the symptoms of other medical conditions like diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, and diarrhea. Any undigested residue as a result of these issues can be cleared away with a clear liquid diet. 

What Can You Consume on a Clear Liquid Diet?

While a clear liquid diet may seem restrictive and unappealing, you actually have more options than you may guess. Practicing this diet for as long as it’s prescribed can be much more pleasant if you mix up your menu. Here are some of the items that you can include in a clear liquid diet.

• Ginger Ale
• Ice Chips
• Soft Drinks
• Fat-Free Broth
• Pulp-Free Juices
• Strained Tomato or Other Vegetable Juice
• Clear Soups
• Water
• Coffee or Tea Without Dairy Products
• Plain Gelatin
• Popsicles
• Honey
• Hard Candy

Once again, a clear liquid diet is a short term plan. It cannot provide the vitamins, fats, minerals, and other nutritional components that your body needs.