What drinks are considered a clear liquid diet?

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Mayo Clinic, a clear liquid diet helps maintain hydration and provides electrolytes when a full diet isn't possible. This short-term diet is prescribed for various medical reasons, and understanding what drinks are considered a clear liquid diet is crucial for proper compliance.

Quick Summary

A clear liquid diet permits only transparent, residue-free fluids, including water, clear juices, broth, and gelatin. It is typically used for short periods before medical procedures or during digestive issues to hydrate and rest the digestive system.

Key Points

Definition: A clear liquid diet includes transparent liquids that leave no residue in the digestive tract, along with foods that are liquid at room temperature.
Accepted Items: Permissible drinks include water, clear broths, pulp-free juices (apple, white grape), plain tea or coffee, and clear sodas.
Forbidden Items: Liquids you cannot see through, such as milk, cream, juices with pulp, and alcohol, are strictly prohibited.
Short-Term Use: This diet is designed for temporary use before or after medical procedures and during acute digestive issues to prevent dehydration.
Consult a Professional: Always follow your healthcare provider's specific instructions, as the diet is nutritionally inadequate for prolonged periods.
Color Restrictions: For some procedures like colonoscopies, you may be instructed to avoid red and purple liquids to prevent interference with test results.
Full vs. Clear: A full liquid diet differs significantly by allowing opaque liquids and more nutrients, serving as a transitional step to solid food.

Understanding the Purpose of a Clear Liquid Diet

A clear liquid diet is a medically supervised regimen that includes only transparent, easily digestible liquids that leave minimal residue in the gastrointestinal tract. It is not designed for long-term nutrition due to its inadequacy in calories and nutrients, but rather for specific short-term needs. Healthcare providers commonly prescribe this diet for a few days before certain medical procedures, such as a colonoscopy, to ensure the digestive system is empty. It may also be used after surgery or during episodes of digestive upset like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea to allow the gut to rest and recover. The primary goals are to prevent dehydration, provide some energy, and supply essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium.

Approved Drinks and Foods for a Clear Liquid Diet

Staying hydrated and nourished on a clear liquid diet requires a variety of approved beverages. The key is to consume liquids that you can see through. Foods are also permitted if they melt into a clear liquid at room temperature.

Examples of Clear Drinks

Water: Plain, carbonated, or flavored water is acceptable.
Clear Juices: Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple, white grape, or white cranberry juice, are great options. Strained lemonade is also typically allowed.
Clear Broths: Clear, fat-free broths like bouillon or consommé (chicken, beef, or vegetable) are often recommended. Ensure they are free of any solid pieces of meat, noodles, or vegetables.
Coffee and Tea: Plain tea and black coffee are permitted. Do not add milk, cream, or nondairy creamer.
Carbonated Beverages: Light-colored sodas such as ginger ale, Sprite, or 7-Up are acceptable. Some providers also allow darker sodas like cola or root beer.
Sports Drinks: Clear sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade can help replenish electrolytes. For certain procedures like a colonoscopy, avoid red or purple-colored varieties unless advised otherwise.
Clear Nutritional Drinks: Products specifically designed as clear nutritional supplements, such as Boost Breeze or Ensure Clear, are also approved.

Clear Liquid Foods

Gelatin: Plain gelatin, like Jell-O, is a staple of the clear liquid diet. Do not use varieties with added fruit pieces.
Popsicles: Clear-colored popsicles without milk, fruit bits, or seeds are permitted.
Hard Candy: Sucking on hard candies like lemon drops can help with hunger.
Honey and Sugar: These can be added to coffee or tea for sweetness.

When to Avoid Certain Liquids and Foods

It is just as important to know what to avoid as it is to know what is allowed. Adhering to the restrictions is essential for the diet to be effective. For example, for procedures like a colonoscopy, avoiding red and purple liquids is critical, as they can interfere with the examination.

No Dairy Products: Milk, cream, non-dairy creamers, yogurt, and ice cream are all forbidden because they are opaque.
No Juices with Pulp: While some juices are allowed, any with pulp or nectar are not considered clear liquids. This includes orange juice, prune juice, and smoothies.
No Solid Foods: Any solid food is strictly off-limits. This includes fruits, vegetables, meat, bread, and soup that contains solid ingredients.
No Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed.
No Red or Purple Dyes: This is particularly important for certain procedures, as the dye can be mistaken for blood in the gastrointestinal tract.

Clear Liquid Diet vs. Full Liquid Diet: A Comparison

It is easy to confuse a clear liquid diet with a full liquid diet, but they have distinct differences. A full liquid diet is a stepping stone between a clear liquid diet and solid foods, offering more calories and nutrients.


Aspect	Clear Liquid Diet	Full Liquid Diet
Transparency	Liquids must be completely transparent.	Liquids can be opaque.
Nutritional Value	Low in calories and nutrients; designed for short-term use.	Higher in calories, protein, and nutrients; used as a transitional diet.
Milk and Dairy	Not allowed.	Allowed (milk, cream soups, ice cream, yogurt).
Pulp and Fiber	Excludes all pulp and fiber.	Allows strained or pureed ingredients, but no chunks.
Example Items	Water, apple juice, broth, gelatin.	Milk, cream soups, strained fruit juice, pudding, smoothies.

Important Considerations and Safety Precautions

Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions precisely when on a clear liquid diet. This is not a diet to be undertaken for weight loss, and prolonged use can lead to malnutrition. If you have a condition like diabetes, your doctor may need to provide special instructions regarding sugar intake and blood glucose monitoring. Staying hydrated is a priority, so drink frequently throughout the day to avoid feeling hungry and to maintain fluid levels.

Conclusion

A clear liquid diet is a temporary, medically necessary regimen that plays a crucial role in preparing for and recovering from various medical procedures and conditions. By understanding what drinks are considered a clear liquid diet and which to avoid, you can ensure proper hydration and rest for your digestive system. While this diet is restrictive, a variety of options, from clear broths and pulp-free juices to sports drinks and gelatin, are available to make the process more manageable. Always consult your healthcare provider for specific guidance tailored to your medical needs.

For more comprehensive information on this topic, consult authoritative resources such as the Mayo Clinic's detailed guide on a clear liquid diet.

A Sample Clear Liquid Menu

Breakfast:

1 glass of apple juice
1 cup of plain, clear gelatin
1 cup of black coffee or tea with honey or sugar

Mid-morning Snack:

1 glass of ginger ale
1 popsicle (clear color, no fruit bits)

Lunch:

1 cup of clear chicken broth
1 glass of white grape juice
1 cup of clear, unflavored gelatin

Afternoon Snack:

1 glass of a clear sports drink
1 hard candy

Dinner:

1 cup of beef or vegetable consommé
1 glass of fruit-flavored drink (like Crystal Light)
1 cup of clear gelatin

Evening Snack:

1 glass of clear carbonated beverage
1 popsicle

Frequently Asked Questions

No, milk, cream, and other dairy products are not allowed because they are opaque and will leave a residue in your digestive tract, which can interfere with medical procedures or aggravate digestive issues.

Yes, clear sports drinks are generally allowed as they can help replenish electrolytes. However, for certain procedures like a colonoscopy, you may be advised to avoid red or purple varieties.

A clear liquid diet consists only of transparent liquids that leave no residue, while a full liquid diet includes opaque liquids like milk, creamy soups, and milkshakes. A full liquid diet offers more nutrition and is a step closer to a regular diet.

Yes, clear carbonated sodas like ginger ale, Sprite, and 7-Up are usually permitted. Some providers also allow darker sodas such as cola or root beer.

No, juices with any amount of pulp, like orange juice or prune juice, are not clear liquids and must be avoided. Only strained, pulp-free varieties such as apple or white grape juice are acceptable.

A clear liquid diet is only meant for short-term use, typically a few days, because it does not provide enough calories and nutrients for long-term health. Prolonged use should only be done under a doctor's strict supervision.

Yes, plain gelatin (like Jell-O) is considered a clear liquid food because it melts at room temperature. However, ensure it does not contain any added fruit chunks.