Making the decision to start a liquid diet may be the consequence of digestive issues, weight struggles or other reasons. It can be a great way to start fresh with a healthy detox, or it may stem from underlying concerns such as Crohn’s disease. But knowing the best way to start a liquid diet is always the safest route. In addition to the information you’ll find here, make sure to always consult a healthcare provider before making any major decisions that could affect your health (more than a meal or two).
Here are some tips for starting a liquid diet:
Overview
If you’ve been finding it difficult to maintain weight because of issues like diarrhea or simply for poor diet choices, then this may be why you’re considering a liquid diet. If this is the case, some dietitians recommend switching regular calories to ones you can drink instead. However, there are a few things that are important to get right with a liquid diet so that it doesn’t end up hurting more than helping.
Commercial Drinks
Crohn’s disease can be a major influencer in switching to a liquid diet. If your Crohn’s symptoms are under control, you could pair liquid drinks such as Ensure or Carnation Instant Breakfast along with a solid meal. It is recommended to drink 200-300 calories along with a regular meal to help keep up or add weight with underlying digestive issues. Always check for the healthiest options and make sure the sugar intake is not way above the daily recommended amount.
Make Your Own
Making your own liquid meal can save money and give you a lot of control over what goes into it. There are tons of recipes online for tasty liquid meals/smoothies. A simple one could start with milk (or your favorite replacement, i.e. soy, coconut, almond) and add Greek yogurt, protein powder, and a banana. You can make these blends any way you want, so make sure to scour the internet for the recipe that appeals to you most.
Limit Sugar
Whether you’re buying a pre-made blend or creating your own recipe, one thing stands true: sugar can sneak up on you. If you’re trying to lose weight, this can be a real pain. And if you’re starting a liquid diet due to digestive issues, a copious amount of sugar may not be the answer. To avoid this, look for liquid meals that contain calories from fat and protein. Some calories come from sugar, so be vigilant when looking at labels.
Get Your Vitamins
Sometimes if you’re getting a pre-made liquid meal, they will have the added perks of vitamins. But if you’re making liquid meals on your own, make sure that you aren’t skipping out on the nutritional value. You can either add in healthy sources of different vitamins like iron, zinc, vitamin B, etc. But if you’re not sure to do this, make sure you’re taking the vitamins recommended by your doctor.