Liquid diets are generally safe when you are under medical supervision or following guidance from a healthcare professional. Yet some benefits and risks are associated with their long-term use.
This type of diet may not suit everyone. Because of this, you should always discuss liquid diets with a doctor or healthcare professional before trying them.
When would you likely need bowel rest?
Bowel rest is a therapeutic measure that requires you to stop eating solid foods and consume only clear liquids.
It helps the intestines heal and aids the recovery process for people with gut inflammation, gastrointestinal disease, or pancreatitis, as well as after certain procedures.
The following are conditions and procedures that typically require bowel rest:
- Inflammatory bowel disease: Bowel rest promotes gut healing in individuals with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. It reduces gut inflammation, especially during flare-ups of the condition.
- Post-abdominal surgery: Doctors may recommend bowel rest for a few days following intestinal surgeries to help promote wound healing in the gut.
- Small bowel obstruction: Bowel rest helps to ease the severity of symptoms during partial or complete intestinal blockage, known as a small bowel obstruction.
- Gastrointestinal infections: Bowel rest could be essential in some cases of gastrointestinal tract infections, like viral gastroenteritis, to help the gut recover and fight off infectious organisms.
- Chemotherapy: Bowel rest can help with chemotherapy drug side effects, such as diarrhea or vomiting.
What is a clear liquid diet?
A clear liquid diet is a specialized diet consisting only of fully transparent, room-temperature liquids. Examples of these liquids include:
- water
- ice
- tea
- coffee
- carbonated drinks
A liquid diet provides minimal energy and, if properly followed, prevents dehydration because it gives you enough fluids. A liquid diet is useful for some health conditions where bowel rest is necessary.
How long should it last?
The exact duration of a liquid diet differs for each person.
Doctors typically recommend a liquid diet for only a few days, and they should make considerations if extending beyond 5 days to avoid malnourishment.
Your healthcare team will recommend the exact duration of a liquid diet based on your circumstances.
Symptoms to expect from a clear liquid diet
The symptoms you can expect from a liquid diet depend on the type of liquid you are drinking. The liquids may contain high amounts of simple sugars. In some people, this can lead to blood glucose fluctuations.
Also, liquid diets have restricted nutritional value, so their intake for extended periods may cause varying degrees of nutritional deficiencies. Medical supervision is crucial if you are to begin a liquid diet. This can ensure doctors catch early signs of malnutrition, such as:
- headaches
- mood changes
- weakness
- loss or lack of concentration
- muscle pain
- bone damage
What are the risks and benefits of liquid diets?
Liquid diets have their pros and cons. Some benefits include:
- being useful for resting the bowels, especially after intestinal surgeries
- being necessary for preparing the bowels before procedures like colonoscopies
- maintaining hydration and electrolytes
In contrast, liquid diets have some risks, like:
- poor glycemic control
- nutritional or electrolyte deficiencies
- weight loss
Due to these pros and cons, medical guidance is critical for liquid diets.
When to contact a doctor
You should already be in contact with a doctor or healthcare professional when beginning a liquid diet since you should only start it if they recommend that you do so.
Doctors may prescribe medications in addition to a liquid diet if bowel rest is needed. For example, medical conditions that cause inflammatory changes in the gut typically require anti-inflammatory medications.
The following are some medications a doctor could prescribe:
- Corticosteroids: Medications like prednisone (Rayos) could become necessary to decrease inflammation in cases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Antibiotics: These drugs may eliminate the microbes responsible for gastrointestinal infection and may include ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan).
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
