List for a Clear Liquid Diet

Your doctor prescribes a clear liquid diet if you are about to undergo surgery or if you have been ill with a gastrointestinal illness. You may not be able to think of what these might be, with the exception of tea or clear soda. Some items on this list might surprise you, but each can help you while you're restricted in what you can eat. Medline Plus recommends consuming a combination of three to five of these options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Apple juice is one part of a liquid diet. (Image: chas53/iStock/Getty Images)

Fruit Juices

Clear fruit juices, such as apple and cranberry juices, help to meet your nutritional needs while you're on a liquid diet. Make sure you can read through the juice by pouring some into a clear glass and placing the glass between you and a book or newspaper. While you're restricted to a liquid diet, drink juice to maintain some energy and electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium, according to MayoClinic.com.

Gelatin

Gelatin, with no fruit or other ingredients, is another liquid you can actually eat while restricted to a liquid diet, writes Medline Plus. Make the gelatin as per the instructions on the package and chill it in the refrigerator until it has become solid. Eat gelatin according to your doctor's instructions, so you can keep your energy up.

Soup Broths

Boil a cup of water and drop in a bouillon cube, or measure bouillon powder into the water and stir until it has dissolved. Bouillon or soup broth without any other ingredients, such as diced vegetables, meat, rice or pasta, provides nutrients your body needs, according to MayoClinic.com. Bouillon is also called “consomme” and is a clear broth.

Clear Sodas

Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda--not cola--is another clear liquid you can rely on while restricted to a liquid diet, writes Medline Plus. If you are sick or recovering from an intestinal illness, clear soda can help to settle an upset stomach, plus provide you with energy from the sugar.

Coffee or Tea

Drink black coffee with no milk, cream or flavored cream, writes Medline Plus. This, along with tea, can also be added to the clear liquid diet list. When your stomach is upset, you might want to hold off on the coffee until your stomach settles down.

Sport Drinks

Sport drinks with added electrolytes are another clear liquid. Those suffering from gastrointestinal illness or awaiting surgery can rely on a sport drink, says Medline Plus.

Flavored Ice Pops

Ice pops, with no fruit pulp or fruit bits in them, are another good liquid diet food. If you have been sick or you are waiting for surgery, it is important to choose ice pops with no bits of fruit, according to MayoClinic.com.