A structured liquid diet can be a short-term solution to help reset your digestive system, promote gentle weight loss, or support recovery after illness. Unlike extreme juice cleanses, a well-planned liquid diet includes protein-rich smoothies, nourishing bone broths, and nutrient-dense soups that support your body's needs during hormonal changes. This article explores a 7-day liquid diet plan, its benefits, potential pitfalls, and how to transition back to solid foods safely.
What is a 7-Day Liquid Diet?
The 7-day liquid diet is a short-term weight loss plan that involves consuming only liquids for seven days straight. Some people use it to lose weight quickly, while others follow it for its supposed detoxifying effects. Liquid diets come in many forms, most commonly as commercial products and homemade recipes. Some people may opt for a liquid diet as a way of jumpstarting their weight loss journey or to “reset” their eating habits.
This approach differs from juice cleanses because it includes protein-rich sources, such as Greek yogurt smoothies, creamy soups with pureed vegetables, and fortified shakes, which support metabolic health and weight loss efforts, according to this study.
Full vs. Modified Liquid Diet
A full liquid diet includes milk-based drinks, smooth yogurt, strained soups, protein shakes, and ice cream without chunks. A full-liquid diet includes liquid foods that are more nutritious than simple tea or broth. Examples include soup, milk, hot cereal, and juice.
You may have heard of a clear liquid diet, where you only drink water, tea, and broth. A full liquid diet is similar, but it includes all foods that are liquid or will turn to liquid at room temperature or melt at body temperature.
Read also: Is a liquid diet right for you?
However, you don’t always have to follow the “liquid” name strictly. You can modify it to allow for certain soft foods, like pureed fruits and thin oatmeal, for example. However, the full approach is still advisable, especially when planned carefully with the right amounts of protein and fiber.
Most people will only need to follow a full liquid diet for short periods of time, from a few days to up to 2 weeks.
On a full liquid diet, you may eat foods that are liquid or turn liquid at room temperature. These foods contain little to no fiber or protein, so they give your digestive system a break.
Why Consider a Liquid Diet?
A liquid diet for weight loss can provide rapid results and convenience, making it an attractive option for short-term goals. A liquid diet is a choice people who want to lose weight quickly sometimes make. The reason for this is that meal replacement shakes or soups can drastically lower the number of daily calories consumed by a person, which helps them lose weight rapidly. Such diets include juices extracted from leafy vegetables and fruits that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help keep your body healthy.
Research shows that hormonal shifts can slow digestion and leave you feeling bloated. A liquid diet lets your digestive system rest without compromising your nutrition. You can use this approach when you’re feeling stressed, experiencing stomach issues, or when you’re unable to follow your regular eating patterns for some reason.
Read also: Explore the pros and cons of liquid diets
When to Use and When to Avoid
Consider a liquid diet to help with digestive issues, post-illness recovery, or breaking unhealthy eating cycles.
We recommend that you avoid this approach at all costs if you have diabetes because it requires careful blood sugar management. It’s also not a good idea to follow the liquid diet if you have a history of eating disorders or you’re taking medications that require consistent food intake.
It should go without saying that you shouldn’t attempt liquid-only eating plans if you’re pregnant or nursing.
You may need to eat more than the three standard meals a day to get in all your calories and nutrients. Try eating six to eight times throughout the day with a variety of liquids and strained or blended foods. To increase your caloric intake, incorporate full-fat dairy, such as butter or whole milk, or high calorie supplement shakes.
A liquid multivitamin is another good option if you’re worried about getting full nutrition on this diet.
Read also: Risks of Liquid Diets
Sample 7-Day Liquid Diet Plan
The following is a sample 7-day liquid diet plan, incorporating protein-rich and nutrient-dense options. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before starting any diet plan.
Day 1
- Breakfast: Bone broth
- Snack: Protein shake
- Lunch: Creamy tomato soup blended with Greek yogurt
- Afternoon Snack: Green smoothie with spinach, banana, and almond butter
- Dinner: Pureed vegetable soup with coconut milk, followed by chamomile tea
Day 2
- Breakfast: Protein-packed smoothie made with berries, protein powder, and full-fat milk
- Snack: Vegetable broth with added collagen powder
- Lunch: Butternut squash soup and a side of kefir
- Afternoon Snack: Protein shake
- Dinner: Chicken broth with pureed carrots and ginger tea
Day 3
- Breakfast: Golden milk turmeric latte made with coconut milk and protein powder
- Snack: Diluted vegetable juice
- Lunch: Creamy mushroom soup
- Afternoon Snack: Chocolate protein smoothie with banana
- Dinner: Miso broth with soft silken tofu blended in, finishing with a cup of herbal tea
Day 4
- Breakfast: Vanilla protein smoothie containing chia seeds soaked overnight
- Snack: Warm bone broth with a pinch of sea salt
- Lunch: Pureed lentil soup thinned with vegetable stock
- Afternoon Snack: Coconut water mixed with protein powder
- Dinner: Cream of broccoli soup blended until completely smooth, paired with peppermint tea
Day 5
- Breakfast: Tropical smoothie made with mango, coconut milk, and plant-based protein
- Snack: Clear vegetable broth
- Lunch: Cream of cauliflower soup with added hemp hearts for omega-3 fatty acids
- Afternoon Snack: Green juice diluted with coconut water
- Dinner: Pureed white bean soup with rosemary, followed by relaxing lavender tea
Day 6
- Breakfast: Coffee blend that includes coconut oil and protein powder
- Snack: Bone broth with turmeric
- Lunch: Pureed sweet potato soup with a protein-rich smoothie
- Afternoon Snack: Diluted pomegranate juice
- Dinner: Cream of asparagus soup blended with silken tofu
Day 7
- Breakfast: Protein-rich berry smoothie using frozen raspberries and Greek yogurt
- Snack: Warm vegetable broth with ginger
- Lunch: Cream of zucchini soup with added protein powder
- Afternoon Snack: Coconut water
- Dinner: Pureed roasted vegetables with bone broth base, ending with calming chamomile tea
A day’s menu might include:
- Breakfast: 1 cup of hot cereal (like Cream of Wheat) thinned with whole milk. 1/2 cup fruit juice
- Morning snack: 1/2 cup supplement beverage, like Boost or Ensure. 1/2 cup custard-style yogurt
- Lunch: 2 cups of soup. 1/2 cup tomato juice. 1 cup chocolate pudding
- Afternoon snack: 1/2 cup supplement beverage. 1/2 cup fruit juice
- Dinner: 2 cups soup. 1/2 to 1 cup blended oatmeal thinned with milk. 1/2 cup lemonade
- Evening snack: 1 cup supplement beverage. 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
High Protein Liquid Options
The following menus are just a guide. Please take the liberty of trying other high protein drinks that have been approved by your surgical weight loss dietitian.
*The availability of these items changes frequently. Do your homework ahead of time to locate the acceptable products and try them before surgery. Should you have questions about the appropriateness of a product that is not on this list, ask your surgical weight loss dietitian at your individual appointment. If protein powders are used to make high protein shakes they must be sugar free, low in carbohydrates and low in fat. Remember, more protein is not always best.
*Whey protein (a product of milk) is a more complete protein source than soy or other plant protein sources. Choose high protein liquids made with whey protein unless you have an allergy or dietary restriction that would cause you to require alternative protein sources.
- If the protein drink has less than or equal to 170 calories you may have 8 oz (ie skim milk, light yogurt smoothie); if the protein drink has greater than 170 calories limit to 4 oz (i.e.
| Liquid | Ounces |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | |
| Skim Milk | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt Smoothie | 8 oz |
| High Protein Shake | 4 oz |
| Snack | |
| High Protein Shake | 8 oz |
| Sugar-Free Pudding (made with skim milk) | 8 oz |
| Lunch | |
| Skim Milk | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt Smoothie | 8 oz |
| High Protein Shake | 4 oz |
| Snack | |
| High Protein Shake | 8 oz |
| Sugar-Free Jell-O (made with skim milk) | 12 oz |
| Dinner | |
| Skim Milk | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt Smoothie | 8 oz |
| High Protein Shake | 4 oz |
| Snack | |
| High Protein Shake | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt | 8 oz |
| Liquid | Ounces |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | |
| Skim Milk | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt Smoothie | 8 oz |
| High Protein Shake | 4 oz |
| Snack | |
| High Protein Shake | 8 oz |
| Sugar-Free Pudding (made with skim milk) | 8 oz |
| Lunch | |
| Skim Milk | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt Smoothie | 8 oz |
| High Protein Shake | 4 oz |
| Snack | |
| High Protein Shake | 8 oz |
| Sugar-Free Jell-O (made with skim milk) | 12 oz |
| Dinner | |
| Skim Milk | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt Smoothie | 8 oz |
| High Protein Shake | 4 oz |
| Snack | |
| High Protein Shake | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt | 8 oz |
| Liquid | Ounces |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | |
| Skim Milk | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt Smoothie | 8 oz |
| High Protein Shake | 4 oz |
| Snack | |
| High Protein Shake | 8 oz |
| Sugar-Free Pudding (made with skim milk) | 8 oz |
| Lunch | |
| Skim Milk | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt Smoothie | 8 oz |
| High Protein Shake | 4 oz |
| Snack | |
| High Protein Shake | 8 oz |
| Sugar-Free Jell-O (made with skim milk) | 12 oz |
| Dinner | |
| Skim Milk | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt Smoothie | 8 oz |
| High Protein Shake | 4 oz |
| Snack | |
| High Protein Shake | 8 oz |
| Light Yogurt | 8 oz |
Foods to Include in a Full Liquid Diet
Compared to a clear liquid diet, there are a variety of foods you may eat on a full liquid diet.
- Fruits and vegetables: all fruit or veggie juices (avoid pulp unless your doctor says otherwise)
- Soups: bouillon, clear broths (beef, chicken, vegetable), strained and pureed vegetable soup, strained meat- or cream-based soups (may contain pureed veggies or meat)
- Dairy: all types of cow’s milk (whole, low-fat, reduced-fat, fat-free), lactose-free milk products, such as soy, almond, or flax milk, half-and-half, butter, sour cream, custard-style yogurts
- Grains: Cream of Wheat, Cream of Rice, grits, other cooked cereals made from refined grains and thinned with milk
- Fats: butter, margarine, mayonnaise, creamy peanut butter or nut butter of choice
- Beverages: coffee and tea, hot cocoa, artificially flavored fruit drinks, lemonade, sports drinks, like Gatorade, milkshakes (you may add smooth peanut butter or canned fruit, but blend until smooth), pasteurized eggnog
- Supplement beverages: Ensure, Boost, Carnation Instant Breakfast, Glucerna
- Desserts: pudding, custard, gelatin ice cream (plain varieties), sherbet, popsicles fruit ices
- Other additions: sweeteners, such as honey, sugar, and maple syrup, salt herbs, spices, and flavored syrups, like chocolate syrup, brewer’s yeast
Ask your doctor or dietitian about the following foods. They’re sometimes included in a full liquid diet or as you get closer to resuming a solid diet:
- pureed fruits, such as applesauce
- pureed vegetables diluted into soups, such as strained pumpkin puree in a cream soup
- cooked cereals, such as oatmeal
- pureed potatoes
- strained, pureed meats
Foods to Avoid in a Full Liquid Diet
You should avoid any solid foods on a full-liquid diet. This means to stay away from raw, cooked, or canned fruits or vegetables that have the skin or seeds.
Other foods to avoid include:
- mashed fruits and vegetables, such as mashed avocado
- nuts and seeds
- hard and soft cheeses
- soups with noodles, rice, or other chunks in it
- ice cream with solids in it
- bread
- whole cereals and other grains
- meats and meat substitutes
- carbonated beverages, such as sparkling water and soda
People who have had stomach surgery may also want to avoid consuming oranges and other acidic fruit and vegetable juices, as these juices may cause burning. If you’re concerned about your vitamin C consumption, ask your healthcare professional about liquid vitamin C supplements. They may give you further diet instructions based on the procedure you had.
Benefits of a Short-Term Liquid Diet
- Easier Digestion and Less Bloating: Getting your nutrients from liquids places minimal stress on your digestive system, allowing your stomach and intestines to rest while you still receive essential nutrients. This break often reduces the bloating and gas you may experience during hormonal fluctuations. The smooth consistency of eating mostly liquids prevents the mechanical stress of breaking down fibrous foods that can irritate sensitive digestive systems.
- Improved Hydration and Nutrient Absorption: Naturally, drinking more of your meals adds to your overall fluid intake. This is good for kidney function and cellular hydration. Studies show that your body might absorb blended nutrients faster than whole foods, delivering vitamins and minerals directly to your bloodstream. This rapid absorption helps combat nutrient deficiencies, particularly those of B vitamins and magnesium.
- Resetting Food Habits and Appetite Signals: Seven days without solid food can reset your relationship with hunger and fullness cues that stress and hormones may have disrupted. Don’t be surprised if it leaves you rediscovering what true hunger feels like. Most of the time, what you had associated with feeling famished was simply your emotions getting the best of you. Increased awareness of bodily cues supports long-term healthy eating patterns, especially after returning to solid foods.
- Weight loss: It can be effective for reducing your weight, mainly because it provides fewer calories than eating solid foods. Although it isn’t a long-term solution, a few days on the liquid diet may help kickstart the weight loss process and pave the way for real behavior change for some people.
- Convenience: As soups and shakes are easy to make at home, this diet isn’t too time-consuming. You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen preparing meals for yourself every day.
Nutritional Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Low Protein and Muscle Loss: Studies have proven that the female body loses more muscle mass faster with age. This makes it important to add protein to your diet. However, it can be easy to miss this macronutrient in the seven days that you’re mostly drinking your meals. You can prevent this from happening by investing in high-quality protein powders, Greek yogurt, and silken tofu. Without sufficient protein, your body breaks down muscle tissue for energy, slowing metabolism even further.
- Blood Sugar Crashes and Fatigue: Fruit-heavy smoothies can lack either protein or healthy fats. Without either or both, you’re looking at a meal that causes your blood sugar to spike, followed by an energy crash. Balance is a must in every meal. You need to add healthy protein and fat sources. Good examples of liquid meal go-to additions are nut butters, protein powder, or full-fat dairy. Include healthy fats from avocado, coconut milk, or olive oil to maintain steady glucose levels throughout the day.
- Constipation: According to experts, reduced fiber intake, often caused by eliminating solid foods, can lead to constipation.
How to Avoid Constipation on a Liquid Diet
Remedy this by adding ground flaxseed or chia seeds to smoothies for soluble fiber that blends smoothly. Increase your water intake beyond the liquid in your meals and consider gentle movement, such as walking, to stimulate digestive function. Herbal teas with senna or ginger can provide natural relief.
Structuring a Safe, Nourishing Liquid Diet
Smoothies aren’t just drinks. To succeed, you should treat them as full meals. Because of this, you should make sure that they’re composed of essential macro nutrients, meaning they should contain the protein, carbohydrate, and fat equivalent to what you’d eat in a regular meal.
Rotate ingredients to prevent nutrient deficiencies and boredom. Prepare ingredients in advance by freezing fruit portions and pre-measuring protein powders to maintain consistency during busy mornings.
How to Transition Back to Solid Foods
Completing seven days of eating liquids isn’t easy. We recommend taking what you just learned from the 7-day liquid diet plan and integrating it into your daily life.
Turning your breakfasts into smoothies and soups should feel the most natural and easiest, especially since you might have already gotten used to how easy it is to prepare liquid meals.
Never forget that your body needs protein, fat, and fiber. You can get plenty of all three from seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Consistently monitor how you’re feeling after every meal. Does a particular combination of fruits and vegetables leave you hungry? What did you eat that made you feel most full and satisfied? How have your energy levels been lately?
Focus on eating the food that lets you live the lifestyle that you want and supports the health goals you’ve set for yourself.
Transition gradually back to solid foods. You shouldn’t return to your previous eating patterns immediately. Just as it took time for your body to adjust to the liquid diet, you should also give your body a chance to transition back into your regular eating routine, albeit with certain adjustments.
Other Considerations
- Pureed foods should be of stage 1 or “baby food” consistency. Before mixing them into soups and other liquids, there should be no chunks or visible pieces.
- Adding milk, water, salad dressings, and mayonnaise can help moisten foods for easier blending.
- Feeling full is a sign to stop drinking. Pay attention to your body’s signals as you consume liquids. That said, try to get in at least 64 ounces of liquids each day.
- Trouble drinking enough is also a concern. Try drinking what you can at 15-to 20-minute intervals throughout the day.
- Nutritional supplements may be a good option if you need to be on a full-liquid diet for longer than five days. Discuss your options with your doctor.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
While there are many benefits of the liquid diet, you must remember that it’s a short-term weight loss plan. It can be difficult and dangerous to sustain over a long period of time. When you’re on a liquid diet, your body doesn’t get enough nutrients or energy from food. When you resume consuming solid foods, any weight you lost will likely start coming back again.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: When you’re on a liquid diet, you’re limiting your intake of solid foods that provide essential nutrients such as fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Without these nutrients, your body may experience negative side effects such as fatigue, headaches, constipation, and deficiencies in key vitamins and minerals.
- Muscle Loss and Slower Metabolism: Rapid weight loss can also result in muscle loss and a decrease in metabolism. On a liquid diet, it is difficult to get enough protein even if you make an effort to include it.
- Fatigue: As you’re consuming very few calories and nutrients on a liquid diet, you’ll feel fatigued most of the time.
- Blood Sugar Imbalances: A liquid diet is not advisable for people who are suffering from health conditions such as diabetes as some of these diets can cause hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
- Not a long-term solution: Any weight you lost will likely start coming back again when you resume consuming solid foods.
You may lose weight rapidly while following this type of diet. It’s meant to be used temporarily, not long term, unless directed by your healthcare professional.
Experiencing fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are all reasons to contact your healthcare professional.
Liquid Diets vs. Other Weight Loss Methods
Liquid diets aren’t the only way to lose weight.
Options like hypnosis for weight loss address emotional eating and help create healthier habits. Including high-protein foods keeps you full longer, reducing calorie intake naturally.
FAQs
- What happens if I go on a liquid diet for a week? If you go on a liquid diet for a week, you may experience rapid weight loss due to the significant decrease in calorie intake. However, this weight loss is mostly due to water weight and glycogen depletion, not fat loss. Furthermore, rapid weight loss can also result in muscle loss and a decrease in metabolism.
- Is it healthy to do a 7-day liquid fast? How healthy your 7-day fast is dependent on what you consume during that time.
- What is the maximum number of days for a liquid diet? The maximum number of days for a liquid diet is typically two weeks, but this should only be done under medical supervision.
- Is it possible to lose 10 pounds in a week? It’s neither healthy nor sustainable to lose 10 pounds in a week. Furthermore, such rapid weight loss can be dangerous for your health and can result in muscle loss, a slower metabolism, and nutrient deficiencies.