Clear liquids like water, broth, and other clear drinks can help you get ready for or recover from a medical test or ease digestive problems. It might leave you tired or hungry since it lacks nutrients.
Even though a clear liquid diet doesn’t have much nutrition, it’s still easy for the body to absorb. This is why it can help people get ready for surgery or treatments for digestive problems.
There are pros and cons to the clear liquid diet. Read on to find out how it works and what foods you can eat.
It sounds pretty much like what it sounds like: a clear liquid diet only includes clear liquids.
These include water, broth, some juices without pulp, and plain gelatin. They may be colored, but they count as clear liquids if you can see through them.
Whatever you put in your mouth that melts into a clear liquid at room temperature is called a clear liquid. You can’t eat solid foods on this diet.
Following a clear liquid diet is often necessary before certain medical procedures or tests This diet limits you to clear fluids that are easily digested and leave no food residue in your digestive tract But when preparing for a clear liquid diet, a common question is – can you have beef broth? Let’s take a closer look at the guidelines.
What is a Clear Liquid Diet?
A clear liquid diet only allows the consumption of liquids that are transparent and easy to see through. The purpose is to give the digestive system a rest while still providing hydration and some nutrients.
Usually prescribed for a brief period common clear liquids include
- Water
- Fruit juices without pulp
- Clear sodas
- Plain gelatin
- Tea or coffee without cream/milk
- Clear broths
- Sports drinks
- Honey or sugar
- Hard candies
- Popsicles
Cloudy liquids, milk products or liquids with pulp or sediment are not allowed. The diet provides calories from carbohydrates and some minerals, but little protein, fat or other nutrients.
Is Beef Broth Allowed?
Most beef broths are considered clear liquids, so having small amounts of beef broth is generally acceptable on a clear liquid diet.
However, certain guidelines apply when selecting a beef broth:
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Opt for clear, translucent beef broth – Cloudy broths or those with particles should be avoided.
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Choose fat-free/low-sodium broth – Broths labelled as fat-free or low-sodium are best since fat and seasonings may cause issues.
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Stick to broth, not whole soup – Consuming chunky soup with veggies or noodles would not be allowed. Stick to plain, clear broth.
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Limit intake – Although beef broth is permitted, restrict intake to small portions diluted with water. Too much can cause gas or diarrhea.
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Check with your doctor – Some doctors may advise avoiding all red, purple, or orange liquids before certain procedures. Always follow your specific guidelines.
As long as you choose an appropriate clear, fat-free beef broth and consume it in moderation, having small amounts can provide beneficial hydration and nutrients without interfering with the goals of your liquid diet. Check with your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
Benefits of Beef Broth on a Liquid Diet
Adding some beef broth to your clear liquid diet offers a few potential benefits:
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Flavor – The rich, meaty taste of beef broth can make your clear liquids more enjoyable versus only drinking plain water. This may help you stay compliant.
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Hydration – Warm broth contains water to help meet fluid needs and prevent dehydration.
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Electrolytes – Beef broth provides some sodium, potassium and other minerals to replenish electrolyte levels.
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Protein – Beef broth contains a small amount of protein to help maintain muscle mass while unable to eat solid protein foods.
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Calories – Sipping broth provides a minimal amount of calories for energy.
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Variety – Having broth expands your menu options beyond just juices, sodas, or gelatin.
Overall, the taste, nutrition, and variety benefits of beef broth can make following the diet more tolerable short-term. Just remember to keep portions small.
Tips for Following the Liquid Diet
If you are prescribed a clear liquid diet, keep these tips in mind:
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Stick to the approved liquids list from your doctor – don’t cheat with smoothies, milk, or cloudy juices.
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Drink liquids at room temperature or chilled to avoid nausea.
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Set a timer to remember to sip liquids frequently throughout the day.
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Opt for calorie-free liquids if following the diet for more than 1-2 days to prevent weight gain.
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Drink water before other beverages since hydration is the priority.
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Suck on popsicles or ice chips for when you want something to chew.
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Choose broths diluted with water if concerned about saltiness.
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Limit caffeine and alcohol as they can dehydrate you.
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Season clear liquids with salt, pepper, lemon to boost flavor.
Following these tips and your doctor’s orders will help make a clear liquid diet more tolerable short-term until you can resume normal eating.
Sample Clear Liquid Diet with Beef Broth
Here is a one day sample menu for a clear liquid diet including beef broth:
Breakfast: 1 cup apple juice, water
Mid-Morning: 1 cup tea with lemon, water
Lunch: 1/2 cup strained beef broth, 1/2 cup fruit punch, water
Mid-Afternoon: 1 cup coconut water, yellow popsicle
Dinner: 1/2 cup beef broth with salt and pepper, 1 cup grape juice, water
Evening: Herbal tea, lemon ice chips
This provides variety and small amounts of nutrients from different clear liquids including beef broth. Always get clearance from your medical provider first before following a liquid diet.
The Bottom Line
Before undergoing certain medical procedures or treatments, your doctor may recommend following a clear liquid diet for a brief period. This diet allows only see-through liquids and prohibits cloudy liquids or those with pulp, fat or foam. Beef broth that is labeled fat-free or low-sodium and strained to be completely clear can be included as part of a clear liquid diet. Small amounts can provide flavor, hydration, electrolytes and minimal nutrition without interfering with the purpose of the liquid diet. Check with your provider before adding any broths to your prescribed diet. With doctor approval, enjoying some warm, soothing beef broth can make a restrictive clear liquid diet a little more tasty and tolerable short-term.
What can you eat on a clear liquid diet?
Clear liquids that are allowed include:
- clear (fat-free) broth
- clear nutritional drinks (Enlive, Ensure Clear)
- carbonated sodas such as Sprite, Pepsi, and Coca-Cola
- clear soups
- coffee without milk or cream
- hard candies (lemon drops or peppermint rounds)
- honey
- juices without pulp (apple and white cranberry)
- lemonade without pulp
- plain gelatin (Jell-O)
- popsicles without fruit pulp or fruit pieces inside
- sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade, Vitamin Water)
- strained tomato or vegetable juice
- tea without milk or cream
- water
You should avoid foods not on this list. For some tests, such as colonoscopies, doctors recommend you avoid clear liquids containing red or purple coloring.
Here’s a one-day sample menu for the clear liquid diet:
- 1 bowl of gelatin
- 1 glass pulp-free fruit juice
- 1 cup coffee or tea without dairy
- sugar or honey
- 1 glass pulp-free fruit juice
- 1 bowl gelatin
- 1 glass pulp-free fruit juice
- 1 glass water
- 1 cup broth
- 1 bowl gelatin
- 1 pulp-free popsicle
- 1 soda or a cup of coffee or tea without milk
- sugar or honey
- 1 glass pulp-free fruit juice or water
- 1 cup broth
- 1 bowl gelatin
- 1 cup coffee or tea without dairy
- sugar or honey
The clear liquid diet is simple to follow and can help you get ready for or recover from surgery, a medical test, or another medical procedure.
This plan is good for a short-term diet because it can help you stay healthy, stop vomiting, and clean out your intestines before a medical procedure. In the meantime, you’re also receiving hydration and some of the nutrients you need.
In addition, since you’re only relying on liquids, this diet is relatively cheap.
Because it doesn’t have many calories or nutrients, a clear liquid diet may make you tired and hungry. It can also get boring.
In addition, many foods included in this diet can be high in carbohydrates and sugars, which can be dangerous for people with diabetes. For this reason, people with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels and insulin doses very closely while on this diet.
However, thickening agents can help lower the chance of this happening to some people who breathe in the clear liquid.
As long as the diet is temporary, it shouldn’t be harmful. Long-term, however, it does not provide you with the nutrition you need for optimal health.
Why might a clear liquid diet be prescribed?
Before some procedures involving the digestive tract, like colonoscopies, doctors often tell people to follow clear liquid diets.
Also, if you have digestive problems like Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, or diarrhea, they may suggest this diet to help you feel better.
It may also be used before or after certain types of procedures and surgeries. This is because clear liquids are easily digested and help clean out the body’s intestinal tract. These include colonoscopy, endoscopy, and any other procedure that requires sedation or anesthesia.
How to Endure a CLEAR LIQUID DIET
FAQ
What kind of broth can you have on a clear liquid diet?
Is beef broth considered clear broth for a colonoscopy?
Is beef broth OK for liquid diet?
What soup can I eat on a clear liquid diet?
Is beef broth allowed on a clear liquid diet?
Hearty and nutritious, this traditional beef bone broth is a good clear liquid diet meal for lunch or dinner to stave off your hunger pangs. Many people swear by the health benefits of drinking bone broth, so why not make the most of your clear liquid diet time and give it a try yourself.
What types of broths are suitable for a clear liquid diet?
Hearty and nutritious, this traditional beef bone broth is a good clear liquid diet meal for lunch or dinner to stave off your hunger pangs. Many people swear by the health benefits of drinking bone broth, so why not make the most of your clear liquid diet time and give it a try yourself.
Are there any health benefits to drinking beef broth during a liquid diet?
Hearty and nutritious, this traditional beef bone broth is a good clear liquid diet meal for lunch or dinner to stave off your hunger pangs. Many people swear by the health benefits of drinking bone broth, so why not make the most of your clear liquid diet time and give it a try yourself.
Can you make a clear liquid broth from beef?
Yes it would be, so long as there’s nothing else inside it like veggies and the like. Technically in food definitions, it would be a clear liquid, though I’m a bit mixed on it as a freaking awesome beef broth has a lot of marrow infused into it, turning it cloudy.