A liquid diet is generally recommended for patients who are supposed to undergo a surgery involving the mouth or gastrointestinal tract. It is also helpful to achieve quick weight loss. If you are following this diet, here are a few recipes to help you out.
A liquid diet is followed for several medical reasons. Some follow it to lose weight, some to ease digestive problems, and others to expedite the recovery process post-surgery. A liquid diet can either be a clear liquid diet or a full liquid diet. First let us explain to you what the two types of liquid diet are.
Clear Liquid Diet
A clear liquid diet includes consumption of only those liquids which are transparent. For example, clear soups, vegetable broth, bouillon, fruit juices, and clear gelatin desserts.
Full Liquid Diet
Full liquid diet, on the other hand, includes both clear and opaque liquids. These include smoothies, milk, ice cream, puddings, custards, cream soups, fruit juices, clear soups, as well as smooth cooked cereals.
In this article we give you a few recipes that you can use in case you are planning to go on a liquid diet for weight loss. Do ensure that you consult a nutritionist before you embark on such a diet plan.
Clear Liquid Diet Recipes
Chicken Consommé
You Will Need:
- Egg whites, beaten, 8
- Garlic cloves, peeled, smashed, 3
- Chicken, lean, ground, 4 oz.
- Chicken stock, defatted, 8 cups
- Yellow onion, finely chopped, 1 cup
- Celery, finely chopped, ½ cup
- Carrots, peeled, finely chopped, ½ cup
- Thyme, fresh, chopped, ¼ cup
- Leek, finely sliced, ¼ cup
- Tarragon, fresh, chopped, ¼ cup
- Parsley, fresh, chopped, ¼ cup
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Directions for Preparation:
- Combine the meat with celery, onions, leeks, carrots, thyme, parsley, tarragon, black pepper, and garlic in the bowl of the food processor.
- Now, purée it on high speed. Turn it off.
- Mix the egg whites with this mixture. Stir well to blend.
- Add stock to the mixture and pour it into a large pot.
- Stir constantly and bring it to a boil.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Ladle the clear liquid into a bowl and strain it through a layer of cheesecloth.
- Strain again if you see any solids in the broth.
- Now, heat it again without bringing it to boil. Serve immediately.
Approx. calories in 1 cup = 38
Lemonade
You Will Need:
- Mint sprigs, for garnish
- Water, hot, 1 cup
- Sugar, 2 cups
- Lemon juice, fresh, 2 cups
- Water, chilled, 1 gallon
- Lemon, sliced, 1
Directions for Preparation:
- Put the sugar and hot water in a 1 gallon container.
- Stir until the sugar gets dissolved.
- Now, add the lime juice and cold water.
- Stir the mixture well.
- Garnish with a spring of mint. Your lemonade is ready.
Approx. calories in 1 cup = 99
Homemade Ginger Ale
You Will Need:
- Club soda, chilled, 1¼ cup
- Ginger juice, fresh, 4 tbsp.
- Lime juice, fresh, 2 tbsp.
- Sugar, 1 tbsp.
- Lime wedge, 1
Directions for Preparation:
- Combine the ginger juice, lime juice, and sugar in a 16-ounce glass.
- Stir this mixture until the sugar gets dissolved.
- Add the club soda and ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Approx. calories in 1 cup = 250
Fruit Punch
You Will Need:
- Frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed, 2 cans (6 oz.)
- Frozen lemon juice concentrate, thawed, 2 cans (6 oz.)
- Pineapple juice, 1 can (48 oz.)
- Lime soda, 1 liter
- Water, 3 cups
- Sugar, 3 cups
Directions for Preparation:
- Mix the orange juice, lemonade, and pineapple juice.
- Stir well.
- Take a saucepan.
- Put the water and sugar in it.
- Boil it until the sugar gets dissolved.
- Add this syrup to the mixture.
- Refrigerate it.
- Add the soda when serving.
Approx. calories in 1 cup = 108
Clear Spinach Soup
You Will Need:
- Spinach, sliced, 3 cups
- Onions, finely chopped, ¾ cup
- Garlic, chopped, 2 tsp.
- Vegetable oil, 1 tsp.
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions for Preparation:
- Heat the oil in a medium-sized nonstick pan.
- Add the onions and garlic.
- Cook until the onions turn reddish-brown.
- Add the spinach.
- Cook on high heat until the spinach is bright green in color.
- Turn the heat off.
- Add 3 cups of cold water.
- Purée this mixture in a blender.
- Now, pour it back into the pan.
- Add salt and pepper.
- Allow the soup to come to a boil. Serve hot.
Approx. calories in 1 cup = 203
Full Liquid Diet Recipes
Mango-Orange Smoothie
You Will Need:
- Apple juice, 300 ml
- Banana, medium-sized, 1
- Mango, ripe, 1
- Oranges, 2
Directions for Preparation:
- Peel the oranges.
- Cut them into half.
- Separate the pieces.
- Remove the outer covering.
- Squeeze out the juice and pour it into a large jug.
- Peel the mangoes.
- Scoop the flesh out and add it to the jug.
- Peel the banana, slice it, and add it to the jug.
- Now, add the apple juice.
- Blend it all together with the help of a blender, until you have a smoothie.
- Refrigerate the smoothie.
- Serve chilled.
Approx. calories in 1 cup = 160
Green Smoothie
You Will Need:
- Celery stalks, 3-4
- Romaine lettuce, chopped, 1
- Apple, chopped, 1
- Pear, chopped, 1
- Banana, 1
- Spinach, ½ head
- Coriander, ⅓ bunch
- Parsley, ⅓ bunch
- Water, 1½ cups
- Lemon juice, 2 tbsp.
Directions for Preparation:
- Put water, chopped romaine lettuce, and spinach in a blender.
- Purée this mixture in the blender on low.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Gradually, move to higher speeds while adding the celery, apple, and the pear.
- Now, add the coriander and parsley.
- Lastly, add the banana and lemon juice.
- Your smoothie is ready.
Approx. calories in 1 cup = 56
Berry Smoothie
You Will Need:
- Ice cubes, 6
- Banana, ripe, 1
- Berries, mixed, frozen, 1 cup
- Vanilla Yogurt, low-fat, ½ cup
- Orange juice, ¼ cup
- Honey, 1 tsp.
Directions for Preparation:
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender.
- Purée the mixture on high speed until it has a smooth texture.
- Pour in a glass.
- Serve chilled.
Approx. calories in 1 cup = 224
Vanilla-Banana Almond Smoothie
You Will Need:
- Almonds, crushed, 10
- Bananas, large, 2
- Milk, low-fat, 2 cups
- Vanilla yogurt, low-fat, 1 cup
- Ice cubes, 1 cup
Directions for Preparation:
- Combine all the ingredients in a container.
- Blend until you have a smooth mixture.
- Pour into a glass.
- Serve chilled.
Approx. calories in 1 cup = 150
Caramel Custard
You Will Need:
- Eggs, 6
- Milk, 3 cups
- Sugar, 1½ cups
- Vanilla Essence, 2 tsp.
Directions for Preparation:
- Take a thick-bottomed pan.
- Pour ¾ cup sugar in it.
- Add a few drops of water.
- Heat on low until the sugar caramelizes.
- Now, take two 6-ounce custard cups and pour the caramel into it. Let it set for 10 minutes.
- Take a large bowl.
- Beat the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and the remaining sugar.
- Pour this mixture over the caramel.
- Place the cups in two 8″, square baking pans.
- Boil some water and pour it in the pans to a depth of 1 inch.
- Bake it at 350° for 40 to 45 minutes.
- Remove the pans and let them cool.
- Remove the custard.
- Serve warm or cold with the caramel side up.
Approx. calories in 1 serving (150 grams) = 223
Maintaining a liquid diet for a long time can be very difficult. You can consider buying a liquid diet cookbook to get through the diet. Using spices, herbs, and condiments while making your food can further help to cater to your taste requirements.
Disclaimer: This article is solely for informative purposes and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by a dietitian/nutritionist.
