Liquid diets are usually indicated for pre-operative procedures or pre-tests. But there are also people who believe that by feeding only on liquids, they can reduce weight. They all drink juices and drinks often, and it was with this thought that this diet was created: to make the accompaniments of meals in most or all of the food. This diet consists of consuming liquid products (water, broth, tea, gelatin, fruit juices without pulp, honey, lemonade, coffee), which are easy to digest and leave no residue in the intestine.
By not having the necessary amount of calories and nutrients, it cannot be done for many days. It is usually given by doctors before certain procedures, but it has become increasingly known to thin or purify the body. In this way, the diet is less strict than for medical reasons, and may include the intake of fruits and vegetables, fish, or others.
How does the liquid diet work?
The liquid diet is one in which all or most of the calories are obtained by consuming liquid foods. While some food plans that fit the category allow only the consumption of shakes, soups or fruit and/or vegetable juices in place of daily meals, others dictate that liquids should appear in place of breakfast and lunch and dinner should consist of a healthy menu. Some of them even allow you to eat snacks throughout the day.
The recommended daily intake is about 1350 to 1500 calories, because you cannot forget that the body needs energy for daily activities. It is crucial that you do not forget to provide minerals and vitamins to the body.
Advantages of the liquid diet
- The liquid diet provides the body with adequate hydration, in addition to important electrolytes such as potassium and sodium.
- It keeps the stomach and intestines clean, and limits the work of the digestive system, an ideal element before or after a surgical procedure.
- After surgery, the body wakes up from an anesthetic, which is why you should gradually eat food, starting with a liquid diet. In this way, the body adapts to the food, and the risks of suffocation and aspiration are prevented.
- Improvement in the skin and in the functioning of the digestive system due to possible detoxification.
- The idea of a liquid diet plan provides a psychic improvement, since people feel more detoxified; and because he believes that by making a great sacrifice, things go better – even if that is not true.
- The liquid diet for weight loss helps eliminate toxins that accumulate in the body and that produce various diseases, headaches or fatigue.
- The liquid diet often have no caffeine or sugar, which makes people be aware of how much you eat non-beneficial foods for health, so you can create better long term eating habits.
Disadvantages of the liquid diet
- It does not provide the necessary amount of nutrients and energy, so it is not recommended to continue for more than a few days.
- The liquid diet can accustom to the palate, which accelerates the wear and loss of weight. This can be easily solved by combining sweet and salty drinks.
- Any diet deficient in nutrients (especially calcium and proteins) can lead to hormonal imbalances, weak metabolism, diseases and malnutrition.
- It is not recommended to be followed by children, the elderly and pregnant women. It is also not recommended for people with kidney or liver problems, anemia, diabetes, cancer or hypotension patients.
- Headaches occur at first until the body gets used to it.
- In some cases it can cause diarrhea or dehydration if not enough water is consumed.
- Logically, the diet achieves a significant weight loss, although you can also suffer acne, dizziness, irritability and drowsiness.
- If this diet is followed for longer, hunger increases the levels of stress hormones, what it does that the persons who are more inclined to stuff themselves after the end of the diet; besides that, paradoxically, it causes more toxins to be released in the body.
- Do not forget that most of the weight lost is liquid, and not fat.
- Some detractors of this diet say that the detoxification is not real, since it is not scientifically proven. In addition, it is the liver and kidneys that are normally responsible for this function.
- A caloric restriction for a long time causes the metabolism to slow down, which makes it harder for us to lose weight later on.
As in all cases, we recommend consulting with the doctor before carrying out a liquid diet, and that he considers the amount and type of food, and how long it should last.
In addition to following a healthy and balanced diet is important to practice some form of exercise regularly, as a way to increase caloric expenditure, which leads to weight loss.
However, it is important to remember that in order to do some physical activity it is necessary that the body has energy, which is not always possible with a liquid diet, which may be poor not only in calories but also ineffective from a nutritional point of view.
