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Liquid Diets After Surgery

Two types of liquid diets are used after surgery: the clear and the full liquid diet.

  1. The Clear Liquid Diet

    • The clear liquid diet is comprised of foods and fluids that are clear and liquid at room temperature.

      Examples include:

      • Regular and decaffeinated coffee and tea
      • Pulp-free apple, cranberry and grape juices
      • Gatorade
      • Kool-Aid
      • Carbonated beverages such as Sprite, 7UP and Sierra Mist
      • High calorie protein beverages Resource and Ensure
      • Condiments such as salt, sugar and honey
      • Hard candy
      • Gelatin
      • Popsicles
      • Clear fat free bouillon

    A Sample Clear Liquid Diet Menu

    • This diet is not nutritionally complete and should not be followed for more than a few days.

      Breakfast: 1/2 cup cranberry juice, 1/2 cup gelatin, 1 cup chicken broth, 1 cup coffee with 1 tsp. sugar
      Lunch: 1/2 cup apple juice, 1 Popsicle, 1 cup beef broth, 1 cup 7UP
      Dinner: 1/2 cup grape juice, 1/2 cup gelatin, 1 cup Chicken broth, 1 cup tea with 1 tsp. honey

    The Full Liquid Diet

    • The full liquid diet is comprised of foods and fluids that are liquid or semiliquid at room temperature. The full liquid diet is periodically used as a transition from clear liquids to solid foods. However with shorter lengths of hospital stay many patients are progressed from clear liquids straight to solid foods.

      Examples include:

      • All foods previously listed under the clear liquid diet
      • Carnation Instant Breakfast
      • Cream of Wheat
      • Milk
      • Smooth yogurt
      • Condiments such as margarine, butter and cream
      • Desserts such as pudding, custard, sherbet and creamy ice cream
      • Strained cream soup

    A Sample Full Liquid Diet Menu

    • This diet may be adequate in some nutrients, yet should not be followed for more than a few days.

      • Breakfast: 1/2 cup cranberry juice, 1/2 cup Cream of Wheat, 1 cup milk, 1 cup coffee with 1 tsp. sugar and 1 tsp. cream

      • Lunch: 1/2 cup apple juice, 1 cup strained cream soup, 1 cup pudding, 1 cup milk, 1 cup 7 Up

      • Dinner: 1/2 cup grape juice, 1 cup strained cream soup, 1/2cup sherbet, 1 cup milk, 1 cup tea with 1 tsp. honey

    Why Liquids after Surgery?

    • Liquid diets are ordered after surgery to reduce the nausea and vomiting that sometimes result from the anesthetic, medications or the surgery itself. Liquids are tolerated better than solids and allow the gastrointestinal tract to ease its way back into operation.

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