What Is the Best Liquid Diet for Weight Loss? Is It Effective?

Liquid diet for weight loss is only made up of fluids, including water, tea, and broth. Solid food items are discouraged in this diet.

This diet is usually followed for a few days to promote fat loss, and solid foods are reintroduced soon after. This type of fluid-based diet is also prescribed to patients recovering from surgery or needing to undergo a medical procedure.

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How to Plan Liquid Diet for Weight Loss?

Low-calorie fruits are ideal for a liquid diet for weight loss (Image via Unsplash/Amoon Ra)

The recommended daily intake of calories should be 1,350-1,500 kcal, with about 45 grams of protein. This diet should be planned carefully to avoid deficiency of any nutrients.

A liquid diet for weight loss is usually low in calories. A popular liquid-based diet is a juice-cleanse diet, which claims to flush out toxins from the body. This diet can also be called a low-residue diet, which is ideal for people with intestinal disorders.

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Liquid Diet Foods to Eat

The following liquid foods are allowed in a liquid diet for weight loss. However, certain foods may be included or excluded as prescribed by your health professional.

• fruit or vegetable juices
• clear broths (beef, pork, chicken, vegetable)
• strained vegetable soup
• cream-based soups
• milk (whole, low-fat, fat-free)
• plant-based kinds of milk, including soy, almond, or coconut milk.
• butter
• sour cream
• yogurts
• cream of Wheat
• cream of Rice
• butter
• margarine
• mayonnaise
• peanut butter (creamy), cashew butter (creamy), and almond butter (creamy)
• coffee and tea
• hot chocolate
• flavored and natural fruit beverages
• lemonade
• sports drinks
• milkshakes
• eggnog
• pudding
• custard
• gelatin
• ice cream (without fruits and nuts)
• sherbet
• honey, sugar, and maple syrup
• salt
• herbs and spices
• chocolate syrup

Many of these liquids contain added sugar and must be avoided if you're aiming for weight loss. Go for sugar substitutes while preparing these beverages.

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What to Avoid on Liquid Diet for Weight Loss?

The following are some solid foods that cannot be included in this diet.

• whole fruits and vegetables
• nuts and seeds
• hard and soft cheeses
• noodles and rice
• bread
• cereals and other grains
• meats and poultry
• carbonated beverages, such as soda. (contains added sugar)

Any other solid food should also be avoided in this diet as well.

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Benefits of Liquid Diet for Weight Loss

A liquid diet can help with a calorie deficit (Image via Unsplash/Katherine Sousa)

This diet can offer several benefits when followed by people struggling with weight loss. Some of the benefits of a liquid diet are as follows:

• This diet can reduce the overall calorie intake and help with maintenance of a calorie deficit.
• It's an easy form of diet to follow. Cooking is minimal, which saves time.
• This diet is affordable and can be followed at no extra cost.
• A variety of liquids can be offered in this diet.
• All the macronutrients, including protein, fats, and carbohydrate,s can be provided in this diet without hassle.
• This diet can also provide all the necessary micronutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, soluble fiber, and antioxidants from different sources.
• This diet can be followed by both vegans and non-vegans.

In some cases, a clear liquid diet may also be prescribed by health professionals.

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Sample menu for Best Liquid Diet for Weight Loss

A typical liquid diet sample is provided below. Other items may also be used to prepare liquid meals.

Breakfast

• 1 bowl of powdered cereal with whole milk
• 1 glass of fruit juice

Morning snack

• 1 scoop of whey protein with low-fat milk
• 1 cup plain yogurt

Lunch

• 2 cups of strained tomato soup
• 1/2 cup celery juice
• 1 cup hot chocolate without sugar

Afternoon snack

• 1 glass of soy protein shake with soy milk
• 1 cup of mixed fruit juice

Evening snack

• 1 glass of yogurt shake
• 1 cup of kiwi juice

Dinner

• 2 cups of strained or creamed chicken soup
• 1 small bowl of oatmeal powder with low-fat milk
• 1 glass of beet juice with lemon

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Liquid Diet Recipes

You can follow this recipe on a liquid diet for weight loss:

Low-Calorie Lemon Cucumber Juice

Lemons are among the foods to maximize your vitamin C intake and can brighten the skin.

Ingredients

• 2 lemons peeled
• 2 cucumbers halved
• 1 cup water
• Salt
• Mint leaves

Instructions

• Peel and wash the lemons and cucumbers well, and cut them into pieces.
• Place all ingredients in a juicer, and add salt. You can add ice if desired.
• Blend using a juicer. Strain to remove seeds.

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While preparing beverages and drinks on a liquid diet for weight loss, look to include fruits that are good for diabetics if you have high blood sugar.