What soup is considered a clear liquid diet?

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Mayo Clinic, a clear liquid diet helps provide hydration and electrolytes for a short time when solid foods cannot be consumed. This temporary diet raises questions about what can be eaten, and a common query is: what soup is considered a clear liquid diet?

Quick Summary

This guide explains which types of soup are permissible on a medically prescribed clear liquid diet. It details the difference between clear broths and soups with solids or cream, providing examples of acceptable and restricted options. Practical tips for preparing suitable broths are also included.

Key Points

Clear is Key: Only transparent, strained, and fat-free liquids are allowed on a clear liquid diet; this is the defining characteristic for acceptable soups.
Broth, Bouillon, and Consommé are Permitted: Plain, clear broths (chicken, beef, vegetable), rehydrated bouillon, and consommé are the only soup types that qualify for a clear liquid diet.
Avoid Solids and Creams: Any soup with solid bits like noodles, vegetables, or meat, as well as opaque soups containing cream or dairy, should be strictly avoided.
Check for Colors: For procedures like a colonoscopy, avoid broths or other clear liquids with red, blue, or purple dye, as they can interfere with examination results.
Homemade Broth is an Option: You can make your own clear broth by simmering bones or vegetables and straining it multiple times to ensure perfect clarity.
Follow Doctor's Orders: A clear liquid diet is for short-term use and should be followed precisely under medical supervision to ensure proper hydration and preparation for medical procedures.

The Purpose and Principles of a Clear Liquid Diet

A clear liquid diet is a short-term, medically supervised regimen consisting of liquids and foods that are transparent and liquid at body temperature. Its primary purpose is to maintain hydration, replenish electrolytes, and provide a small amount of energy while the digestive system rests. This diet is commonly prescribed for several medical reasons:

Before procedures: To prepare the bowels for diagnostic tests like a colonoscopy or surgery.
After surgery: To gradually reintroduce food to the digestive system post-operation.
During illness: To manage symptoms of severe digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

The fundamental principle of this diet is that allowed items must leave no undigested residue in the intestines. For this reason, foods that contain fiber, pulp, or solids are strictly prohibited.

Approved Soups for a Clear Liquid Diet

When it comes to soup, the rule is simple: if you can see through it, it's generally safe. The key is to choose pure liquid forms of soup, specifically broth, bouillon, and consommé. These clear liquids can be made from various sources, but must not contain any solid pieces of meat, vegetables, or noodles.

Broth: A clear, savory liquid made by simmering meat, bones, or vegetables in water. It is a suitable option as long as it is fat-free and has been strained to remove any solids. Chicken, beef, and vegetable broth are all acceptable choices.
Bouillon: A dehydrated broth, often sold as cubes, granules, or powder. Reconstituting bouillon with hot water creates a clear, savory liquid that fits the diet's criteria.
Consommé: A highly clarified broth, known for its deep flavor and perfectly clear appearance. It is made by simmering broth with egg whites and other ingredients to bind impurities, which are then strained out.

How to Prepare Your Own Clear Broth

Preparing your own broth ensures you control the ingredients and achieve the necessary clarity. To make a homemade clear broth suitable for the diet:

Simmer Ingredients: Gently simmer bones (chicken, beef) or vegetables (onions, celery, carrots) in water with mild seasonings like salt. Use a moderate simmer, not a rolling boil, which can make the broth cloudy.
Strain Thoroughly: Once the flavor is extracted, strain the liquid multiple times through a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth to remove all particles.
Chill and Skim: Refrigerate the broth once it has cooled. This will cause any residual fat to solidify on the top, which can then be easily skimmed off.

What to Avoid: Soups That Are Not Clear

Many types of soup, while nourishing under normal circumstances, are not permitted on a clear liquid diet because they contain solids or are not transparent.

Cream-Based Soups: Any soup made with milk, cream, or other dairy products, such as cream of mushroom or New England clam chowder, is forbidden. These are opaque and contain fats and solids.
Chunky Soups: This includes any soup with solid ingredients like vegetables, meat, rice, noodles, or beans. Even small pieces can leave residue in the digestive tract.
Thick or Puréed Soups: Opaque soups like lentil or tomato soup, even if blended, are not clear and therefore not allowed.
Soups with Forbidden Colors: If preparing for a colonoscopy, your doctor may advise against clear liquids with red, purple, or blue dyes, as they can mimic blood in the digestive tract.


Soup Type	Allowed on Clear Liquid Diet?	Reason
Chicken Broth	Yes, if fat-free and strained	Clear, leaves no residue
Beef Broth	Yes, if fat-free and strained	Clear, leaves no residue
Vegetable Broth	Yes, if fat-free and strained	Clear, leaves no residue
Consommé	Yes, by definition	Highly clarified and clear
Bouillon	Yes, when rehydrated	Clear liquid form
Cream of Mushroom	No	Contains cream and solids
Chicken Noodle Soup	No	Contains noodles and solid chicken pieces
Lentil Soup	No	Thick and contains solids
Tomato Soup	No	Opaque liquid with vegetable pulp

The Nutritional Role of Clear Broth

While a clear liquid diet is not intended for long-term nutrition, clear broths play an important role in providing essential nutrients during this temporary period. They supply crucial electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which help maintain hydration and nerve function. Bone broth can also provide amino acids, although its clarity must be maintained through proper straining. Ultimately, broth helps keep you comfortable and nourished when you cannot tolerate or are not allowed solid foods. It is essential to remember that this diet should only be followed under a doctor's supervision for a limited time.

Conclusion: Following Your Medical Guidance is Key

When a clear liquid diet is necessary for a medical procedure or to aid digestive recovery, knowing what soup is considered a clear liquid diet is crucial for success and comfort. Strained, fat-free broths, bouillon, and consommé are the only suitable soup options. Avoid any soups with solids, thickeners, or cream. Always follow your doctor's instructions precisely, as preparation for procedures like a colonoscopy can have specific requirements regarding broth clarity and color. By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure a successful outcome and a smoother recovery. For more information on the diet, consult reputable health sources like MedlinePlus.(https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000205.htm)

Frequently Asked Questions

Only clear liquids are allowed because they are easily digested and absorbed by the body, and they leave no residue in the intestines. This is crucial for medical procedures like colonoscopies, where a completely clear bowel is necessary for a successful examination.

No, you cannot have typical vegetable soup. Only clear, strained vegetable broth is allowed. Soups containing solid vegetables, even when puréed, are not considered clear and are therefore not permitted.

Yes, adding salt to clear broth is generally acceptable. Many clear liquid diets encourage it to help maintain essential electrolytes like sodium. However, avoid adding solid spices or excessive amounts of salt, especially if you have sodium sensitivities.

Yes, but only if it has been thoroughly strained and is completely clear. Typical bone broth can be cloudy due to the collagen and nutrients. If making it at home, strain it multiple times through a cheesecloth to ensure no particles remain.

A consommé is a highly clarified broth. While broth is the base liquid from simmering, consommé undergoes an extra process, often using egg whites, to remove all impurities and achieve perfect clarity.

Yes, beef consommé is specifically mentioned as a suitable option for a clear liquid diet due to its rich flavor and perfectly transparent nature.

To check if a store-bought broth is clear enough, pour it into a clear glass. If you can easily read text through it, it is likely acceptable. Also, ensure the ingredients list does not mention any solid foods, creams, or thickeners.