Clear liquid diet: When you can't have solid food

Sometimes doctors prescribe a special diet before or after certain procedures, tests or surgeries or if you have certain disorders. Here's an overview of one commonly prescribed diet.

A clear liquid diet is often used before tests, procedures or surgeries that require no food in your stomach or intestines, such as before colonoscopy. It may also be recommended as a short-term diet if you have certain digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, or after certain types of surgery. Clear liquids are easily digested and leave no undigested residue in your intestinal tract.

A diet of clear liquids helps maintain adequate hydration and provides some important minerals, such as sodium and potassium. It also provides some energy. However, a clear liquid diet can't provide you with adequate calories and nutrients and shouldn't be used for more than a few days without direct medical supervision.

Foods allowed

• Plain water
• Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple juice, grape juice or cranberry juice
• Broth (bouillon or consomme)
• Sodas
• Gelatin
• Popsicles without bits of fruit or fruit pulp
• Tea or coffee with no cream

For certain tests, such as colorectal tests, your doctor may ask you to avoid liquids with red coloring.

Foods to avoid
Any foods not on the foods-allowed list. Gummy foods, such as gummy worms or gummy bears, aren't allowed because they contain wax and other ingredients.

RELATED

• Colonoscopy
• Video: Colonoscopy

MayoClinic.com Bookstore

• 'The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook,' Concise Edition (Softcover)
• 'The Mayo Clinic Plan: 10 Essential Steps to a Better Body & Healthier Life' (Hardcover)
• 'Mayo Clinic Guide to Women's Cancers' (Hardcover)