What can I eat on a liquid diet?

On a clear liquid diet: broth, clear juice, gelatine, clear drinks, ice lollies. On a full liquid diet you can add: milk, yogurt, smooth soups, pudding, ice cream, liquid diet foods that pour or melt. A liquid diet menu typically spreads these across the day. See the article for a full liquid diet foods table.

Liquid Diet: Complete Guide

Last updated: 20 February 2026

A liquid diet means consuming only liquids (and sometimes foods that are liquid at room temperature). It is often used for medical reasons: before or after surgery, before procedures like a colonoscopy, or when swallowing is difficult. There are two main types: a full liquid diet (liquids plus things like yogurt, smooth soups, pudding) and a clear liquid diet (broth, juice, gelatine, clear drinks). Liquid diet foods and a liquid diet menu are usually planned with a doctor or dietitian. Some people consider a liquid diet weight loss plan or a liquid protein diet / high protein liquid diet for weight loss–these should only be used under medical supervision. This guide explains what a liquid diet is, full liquid vs clear liquid, what to eat and avoid, benefits and risks, and a sample liquid diet menu. Always follow your doctor’s or dietitian’s instructions.

Disclaimer: This page is for education only and does not replace advice from your doctor or dietitian. A liquid diet is often prescribed for medical reasons. Do not start a liquid diet (including for liquid diet weight loss) without medical guidance. Length and type (clear vs full liquid) must be decided by your healthcare team.

Below you will find what a liquid diet is, the difference between full liquid diet and clear liquid, liquid diet foods, a liquid diet menu idea, liquid protein diet and high protein liquid diet, liquid diet weight loss considerations, and answers to common questions. You can use our calorie calculator and TDEE calculator with your healthcare team when you are able to eat normally again.

What is a liquid diet?

A liquid diet is an eating pattern in which you consume only liquids–and, in the case of a full liquid diet, foods that are liquid at room temperature (e.g. yogurt, ice cream, smooth soup). It is not a long-term way of eating; it is used for a short time for medical or procedural reasons. Common uses include:

Before procedures: A clear liquid diet is often required before a colonoscopy or certain surgeries so the digestive tract is empty.
After surgery or illness: A full liquid diet may be the first step before progressing to soft then solid food.
Swallowing difficulties: When chewing or swallowing is impaired, a liquid diet or thickened liquids may be prescribed.

Some people search for liquid diet weight loss. Weight can be lost on a liquid diet because calories are often low, but a long-term liquid-only diet can be low in fibre and other nutrients and is not recommended without medical supervision. A liquid protein diet or high protein liquid diet uses protein shakes or medical nutrition drinks to meet protein needs when only liquids are allowed–used in medical settings or sometimes in supervised weight-loss programmes. Your doctor or dietitian will tell you exactly which liquid diet foods are allowed and for how long.

Full liquid diet vs clear liquid diet

Clear liquid diet: Only liquids you can see through: broth, clear fruit juice (e.g. apple, grape), gelatine, clear soft drinks, water, ice lollies (clear), black tea or coffee (no milk). Used for the shortest time (e.g. 1–2 days before a procedure). Very low in calories and nutrients.

Full liquid diet: All clear liquids plus liquid diet foods that are liquid or liquid at room temperature: milk, yogurt, smooth soups (no chunks), pudding, ice cream, liquid meal replacements, protein shakes. Used when you need more calories and nutrients than clear liquids but still cannot have solid food. A liquid diet menu on a full liquid diet can include these throughout the day. A high protein liquid diet or liquid protein diet emphasises milk, yogurt, and protein drinks to meet protein needs.

Liquid diet foods: what to eat and what to avoid

The table below is a general guide. Your doctor or dietitian may give you a different list (e.g. no red/purple before colonoscopy).

Clear liquid (allowed)	Full liquid: add these liquid diet foods	Avoid (liquid diet)
Broth, clear juice (e.g. apple), gelatine, water, clear soft drinks, ice lollies (clear), black tea/coffee	Milk, yogurt, smooth soups, pudding, ice cream, protein shakes, liquid meal replacements	Solid food, chunks, seeds, pulp
–	Custard, smooth milkshakes (no chunks)	Alcoholic drinks (unless your doctor allows)

For a liquid protein diet or high protein liquid diet, focus on milk, yogurt, and protein-containing drinks within your allowed liquid diet foods. A liquid diet menu spreads these across meals and snacks so you get enough energy and protein. Follow your healthcare team’s exact instructions.

How a liquid diet is used

For procedures, you will be told when to start the clear or full liquid diet and when to stop (e.g. after the procedure). After surgery or for swallowing problems, you may move from clear to full liquid, then to a soft or bland diet, then to normal food. Do not stay on a liquid diet longer than prescribed–it is not nutritionally complete for long-term use. For liquid diet weight loss, only do it if your doctor recommends it (e.g. pre–bariatric surgery) and follow their plan. For general weight loss, a sustainable weight loss diet with a calorie deficit is safer than unsupervised liquid-only eating.

Potential benefits and risks

Benefits: A liquid diet gives the gut a rest when needed, prepares the bowel for procedures, and allows intake when solid food is not possible. A full liquid diet and high protein liquid diet can provide more nutrition than clear liquids when you are allowed more liquid diet foods.

Risks: A liquid diet is low in fibre and can be low in vitamins, minerals, and calories if not planned well. Long-term use can lead to nutrient deficiency and muscle loss. Liquid diet weight loss without medical supervision is not recommended. Clear liquids are not enough for more than a short period. Always follow your doctor’s or dietitian’s liquid diet menu and duration.

Sample liquid diet menu (full liquid)

This is one example of a liquid diet menu for a full liquid diet–use only if your doctor or dietitian agrees. Adjust for allergies, medical restrictions, and protein needs (e.g. liquid protein diet).

Breakfast: Milk or fortified plant milk, yogurt, smooth fruit smoothie (no seeds).
Mid-morning: Protein shake or milk; pudding or gelatine.
Lunch: Smooth soup (e.g. tomato, pumpkin–no chunks), yogurt or custard.
Mid-afternoon: Milk or smooth milkshake; ice cream or sorbet if allowed.
Dinner: Smooth soup, yogurt, or liquid meal replacement.
Evening: Milk, gelatine, or smooth drink.

For a clear liquid diet, use only the items from the clear-liquid column in the table (broth, clear juice, gelatine, etc.). For a high protein liquid diet, include protein shakes or medical nutrition drinks as advised. Use our calorie calculator only as a rough guide–your actual needs are set by your doctor or dietitian. See our bland and soft diet and low-fibre diet guides for the next steps after liquids.

Frequently asked questions

A liquid diet means eating or drinking only liquids (and sometimes foods that are liquid at room temperature, like yogurt or ice cream). It can be clear liquid (broth, juice, gelatine) or full liquid (adds milk, smooth soups, yogurt). It is often used before or after surgery, for swallowing problems, or before procedures like colonoscopy. A liquid diet for weight loss should only be done under medical supervision.

A full liquid diet includes all clear liquids plus liquids and foods that are liquid at room temperature: milk, yogurt, smooth soups, pudding, ice cream, liquid meal replacements. It is used when clear liquids are not enough but solid food is not yet allowed–e.g. after some surgeries. Your doctor or dietitian will give you a liquid diet menu and liquid diet foods list.

On a clear liquid diet: broth, clear juice, gelatine, clear drinks, ice lollies. On a full liquid diet you can add: milk, yogurt, smooth soups, pudding, ice cream, and other liquid diet foods that pour or melt. A liquid diet menu typically spreads these across the day. See the table above for a full liquid diet foods list.

A liquid protein diet or high protein liquid diet uses protein shakes, milk, or medical nutrition drinks to meet protein needs when only liquids are allowed. It is used in medical settings (e.g. after surgery, swallowing issues) or sometimes in commercial weight-loss programmes. It should only be followed under medical supervision–it can be low in other nutrients and is not for long-term use.

Liquid diet weight loss can happen because you take in fewer calories, but long-term liquid-only diets are often low in fibre and nutrients and can cause muscle loss and other risks. We do not recommend a liquid diet for weight loss unless your doctor prescribes it (e.g. before bariatric surgery). For sustainable weight loss, see our weight loss diet and calorie deficit guides.

How long depends on why you are on it. Before a procedure it might be 1–2 days. After surgery or for swallowing problems, your doctor will say when to progress to soft then solid food. Do not stay on a full or clear liquid diet longer than your doctor advises–it is not nutritionally complete for long-term use.

Summary

A liquid diet means consuming only liquids (and, on a full liquid diet, liquid diet foods that are liquid at room temperature). It is used for medical reasons: before procedures, after surgery, or for swallowing difficulties. Use a liquid diet menu and liquid diet foods list from your doctor or dietitian. A liquid protein diet or high protein liquid diet adds protein via shakes or medical drinks. Liquid diet weight loss should only be done under medical supervision; for sustainable weight loss, use a balanced diet and our calorie calculator and TDEE calculator. Do not stay on a liquid diet longer than prescribed. See our bland and soft diet, low-fibre diet, and weight loss diet guides for related information.