A liquid diet cleanses the body. It is mostly reserved for people who are extremely obese and want to lose weight quickly. A liquid diet is also given to those people who are under medical observation and have to undergo medical procedures such as bariatric surgery or colonoscopy. It is given to patients who have a weak digestive system or are suffering from digestive disorders like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Liquid diet mostly consists of juices, broth, sherbets, honey, sodas, sports drinks, tea, coffee, etc. There are two types of liquid diets: the meal replacement liquid diet and the ultra-low calorie liquid diet. These diets can be extremely beneficial.
1. Helps reduce weight
The liquid diet is mostly consumed by those people who wish to loose the flab. While the ultra-low calorie diet helps one reduce weight quickly, the meal replacement diet is for those who want to lose weight in the long run. The former kind of diet is always planned by a trained professional and is usually short term. The latter is a long term diet, which replaces a meal or two with fluids which are rich in protein and fiber.
2. Used in medicinal procedures
Many patients are given a liquid diet prior to surgeries and medical tests. Patients with digestive problems cannot digest solid food easily and therefore are given a liquid diet to make up for the deficiency.
3. Internal cleanses
The diet acts as a body cleanser; it flushes out toxins from the body and clears the bowel tract.
4. Keeps the body hydrated
Since this kind of a diet contains a lot of fluids, it keeps the body well-hydrated. Dehydration can be a cause for many ailments; a liquid diet helps combat it. Fluids also contain much needed electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.
Many a time a liquid diet can cause fatigue, dizziness, and electrolyte imbalances, because it does not make up for the nutrient deficiency. This diet must be supervised by a proper dietitian so that it does not have adverse effects.
