The Liquid Diet

RHIANNON BARNES – Dietitian-Nutritionist
BchHlthSc(Nut&Diet), APD, AN

MIDBAND Liquid Diet
Liquid diets (ie. clear fluids and free fluids) are used when transitioning from a state of nil by mouth (NBM) or fasting, to commencing food orally. Fluids diets are important to relieve thirst, and to supply the body with water. It is important to note that most fluid diets are nutritionally inadequate, and should not be followed for long periods of time.

The following guidelines are for the clear fluid and free fluid diets:

Clear fluids: day 1 post surgery – 50mL
Foods/fluids suitable on a clear fluid diet can include:

• Water
• Cordial
• Clear, strained fruit juices
• Clear soups
• Jelly
• Barley water
• Black tea
• Black coffee

Free Fluids: days 2 to 4 post surgery – 70mL/100mL/120mL
Once your medical practitioner has approved your transition from clear fluids to free fluids, the following diet should be followed:

7 – 8 ‘MEALS ’ PER DAY

• 1 Optifast Sachet (flavour as desired)
• Tea/Coffee (no sugar)
• Clear soup (bonox)
• 1 Fruit Serve (pureed texture) OR Fruit juice
• 1 Optifast Sachet (flavour as desired)
• Vegetable juice OR pureed vegetable soup
• Low-joule jelly
• Tea/Coffee (no sugar)
• 1 Optifast Sachet (flavour as desired)
• Vegetable juice OR pureed vegetable soup
• Low-joule jelly
• Tea/coffee (no sugar)

EXTRAS

• 500mL skim milk
• Additional fluid per day i.e. Water (flavoured with mint or lemon juice), or low-joule cordial
• no carbonated beverages