Clear Liquid Diet

CLEAR LIQUID DIET

Description
The Clear Liquid Diet is designed to provide fluids without stimulating extensive digestive processes, to relieve thirst and to provide oral feedings that may promote return to a normal ingestion of food. The diet as served will yield approximately 700 to 1000 kcal when calorie-containing clear liquids are served between meals.

Indications
The Clear Liquid Diet is indicated for the following:

short-term use whenever an acute illness or surgery causes an intolerance for foods
to temporarily restrict undigested material in the gastrointestinal tract

Nutritional Adequacy
The diet is inadequate in all food nutrients and provides only fluids, energy, and some vitamin C. Low-residue food supplements are desirable if the diet is for prolonged use. The diet provides approximately 200 grams of carbohydrate per day in equally divided amounts. Liquids are not sugar-free because all patients require carbohydrates and calories to meet nutritional needs, even in persons with diabetes mellitus (1). Diabetes medications may need to be adjusted to achieve and maintain metabolic control (1).

How to Order the Diet
Order as “Clear Liquid Diet.” Variations of this standard diet should be specifically ordered; specify the exclusion of certain foods or specify a diet limited to certain foods.

A diet order specifying the number of meals or days of liquids or the diet progressions, as tolerated, will ensure that this nutritionally inadequate diet is advanced or evaluated.

FOOD GUIDE – CLEAR LIQUID DIET
FOODS ALLOWED	FOODS EXCLUDED
Carbonated beverages, regular and decaffeinated coffee and tea, fruit-flavored soft drinks	All other foods or fluids except water
Clear flavored gelatin, fruit ices, Popsicles
Cranberry, apple, and grape juices
Lightly seasoned clear broth or consommé (fat-free)
Sugar, honey, syrup

SAMPLE MENU (600 kcal)
Breakfast	Noon	Evening
Cranberry Juice Flavored Gelatin Coffee or Tea Sugar	Beef Broth Grape Juice Flavored Gelatin Coffee or Tea Sugar	Chicken Broth Apple Juice Water Ice Coffee or Tea Sugar
CLEAR LIQUIDS BETWEEN MEALS AS DESIRED

Reference
1. The American Diabetes Association. Translation of the Diabetes Nutrition Recommendations for Health Care Institutions. Diabetes Care. 2003; 26: 70S-72S.

FOOD GUIDE – CLEAR LIQUID DIET

SAMPLE MENU (600 kcal)

CLEAR LIQUIDS BETWEEN MEALS AS DESIRED

SAMPLE MENU
(600 kcal)