What soup is good for a clear liquid diet? Expert advice on hydrating broths

October 13, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the National Cancer Institute, a clear liquid diet is prescribed to help hydrate and provide electrolytes while resting the digestive system. When navigating this restrictive plan, a top question is what soup is good for a clear liquid diet? The key is choosing clear broths that are free of solids, fat, and residue, like chicken, beef, or vegetable broth.

Quick Summary

Clear liquid diets require liquids that are transparent and residue-free, such as clear chicken, beef, or vegetable broth. Bouillon and consommé are also acceptable. Avoid any creamed, thick, or chunky soups, which can disrupt the digestive system.

Key Points

Choose Clear Broths Only: The only acceptable soups are clear, fat-free broths like chicken, beef, and vegetable, or bouillon, with no solid food pieces.
Avoid All Solids: This includes all vegetables, meat, pasta, and rice—anything that leaves residue in the digestive tract is forbidden.
Ensure Transparency: The key characteristic of an acceptable liquid is that you must be able to see through it, whether it's homemade or commercially prepared.
Strain Homemade Broth Thoroughly: When making your own broth, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth and skim off any fat to ensure it is completely clear.
Prioritize Hydration: Clear broths help maintain hydration and electrolyte balance, which is especially important during colonoscopy prep or post-surgery recovery.
Check Labels: When using store-bought products, double-check labels to ensure they are clear broths or bouillon and not thick, creamy, or chunky soups.

Understanding the Clear Liquid Diet

A clear liquid diet consists solely of liquids and foods that are liquid at room temperature and that you can see through. This specialized, temporary diet is often prescribed for several medical reasons, most commonly before a colonoscopy or certain surgical procedures. Its purpose is to keep you hydrated and provide minimal, easily digestible nutrients without leaving any undigested residue in the intestinal tract. This is crucial for obtaining clear results during diagnostic tests and allowing the digestive system to rest and heal. While it is low in calories and nutrients and not intended for long-term use, understanding the approved foods is essential for adherence.

Acceptable Soups for a Clear Liquid Diet

When it comes to soup, the rule of thumb is that it must be a clear broth—nothing more. This means no solid bits of vegetables, meat, noodles, or anything else. The liquid should be transparent and fat-free.

Clear Chicken Broth

Classic chicken broth is a fantastic option for a clear liquid diet. Whether homemade or store-bought, it should be thoroughly strained to ensure no solids remain. To make a clear broth at home, simmer chicken bones and aromatics, then strain the liquid multiple times through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to achieve maximum clarity. Removing any fat that solidifies on top after chilling is also important.

Clear Beef Broth

Similar to chicken, beef broth (or consommé) is a great source of salt and electrolytes. It must be clear and fat-free. When buying commercial beef broth, check the label to confirm it is not labeled as a 'soup' with added solids. For homemade versions, follow the same straining and fat-skimming process as with chicken broth.

Clear Vegetable Broth

For those seeking a plant-based option, a strained vegetable broth is an excellent choice. To make it clear, vegetables are simmered to release their flavor and nutrients, and then the liquid is strained completely to remove all fiber and solids. Avoid recipes that use pureed vegetables, as these will make the broth cloudy and full of residue.

Bouillon and Consommé

Bouillon is a dehydrated cube or powder used to make a flavorful broth, and it is a perfectly acceptable option for a clear liquid diet. Consommé is a rich, clear soup made from concentrated stock, which is also suitable. Both offer a simple and convenient way to add flavor and hydration without introducing solids. However, if you are on a salt-restricted diet, be mindful of the sodium content in commercial products.

What Soups to Avoid

Equally important to knowing what to eat is understanding what to avoid. Any soup that is not a clear, transparent liquid is off-limits. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Creamed soups (e.g., cream of mushroom, chowders)
Soups with solids like vegetables, meat, pasta, or rice (e.g., chicken noodle, minestrone)
Thick or pureed soups (e.g., lentil, split pea)
Anything that is opaque or contains visible particles

Comparison of Clear vs. Unclear Soups


Feature	Clear Broth / Bouillon	Creamy or Chunky Soup
Transparency	You can see through it clearly.	Opaque; you cannot see through it.
Residue	Leaves little to no residue in the intestinal tract.	Leaves solid residue and undigested fiber.
Suitability	Safe for pre-procedure diets (e.g., colonoscopy).	Unsuitable for clear liquid diets; can interfere with medical tests.
Texture	Smooth and thin liquid consistency.	Thick, textured, with chunks of food.
Examples	Clear chicken, beef, or vegetable broth; consommé.	Cream of mushroom, chicken noodle, minestrone, chowders.

Preparing Clear Broths at Home

Making your own clear broth can ensure you have a clean, residue-free option. Here is a simple recipe for a clear chicken broth:

Prep the bones: Take a leftover chicken carcass or chicken bones. Blanch them by boiling them for a minute, then draining and rinsing to remove impurities.
Simmer: Place the cleaned bones in a large pot with cold water and a few sprigs of fresh, coarse herbs like parsley or thyme. Avoid finely chopped ingredients that could make the broth cloudy.
Skim: Bring the mixture to a slow simmer and continuously skim any foam or fat that rises to the top.
Strain and Clarify: After simmering, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth to remove all solids. For extra clarity, let it cool and refrigerate overnight, then skim off any remaining fat that has solidified on the surface.

Tips for Staying Hydrated and Satisfied

A clear liquid diet can be challenging due to its low nutrient and calorie content. To help manage this, consider these tips:

Stay hydrated: Drink small amounts of fluids frequently throughout the day to prevent dehydration and manage hunger pangs.
Enhance flavor: Add a squeeze of lemon or grated ginger to your broth to boost the flavor profile. Some spices like turmeric and cumin can also be used, as long as they are strained out completely.
Warmth and comfort: A warm cup of clear broth can be very comforting and help manage feelings of hunger.
Variety is key: In addition to broth, consume other clear liquids like clear juices without pulp (e.g., apple, white grape) and plain gelatin to introduce variety.
Listen to your body: Pay attention to your body's signals and stop if you feel full. If you're on the diet for more than a few days, consult a doctor or dietitian about nutritional supplements.

Conclusion

For anyone on a clear liquid diet, the answer to what soup is good for a clear liquid diet? is straightforward: clear, fat-free, and solid-free broth. Options like chicken, beef, and vegetable broth, as well as bouillon and consommé, are safe choices that provide hydration and essential electrolytes. Avoiding any soup with solid ingredients or thickeners is essential for the diet's purpose. By adhering strictly to these guidelines, patients can successfully prepare for medical procedures or recover from digestive issues. Always consult with your healthcare provider for specific guidance regarding your dietary needs. For more information, the Cleveland Clinic offers an in-depth explanation of the clear liquid diet and what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you cannot add noodles, vegetables, or any other solid foods to your broth. The broth must be completely clear and free of any solids or residue.

Yes, clear and fat-free bone broth is often allowed and is an excellent source of protein and electrolytes. It must be thoroughly strained to remove any solids or particles.

Creamy soups are not transparent and contain milk, cream, and often solid food particles. They leave residue in the digestive system, which is against the purpose of a clear liquid diet.

To make homemade broth clear, first blanch the bones, then simmer gently while regularly skimming off foam. After simmering, strain the broth through a fine sieve or cheesecloth, and chill it to remove any remaining fat.

Yes, you can add herbs and some spices for flavor, but they must be completely removed before consuming the broth. Using a bouquet garni or steeping spices like ginger or turmeric and then straining is an effective way to do this.

To help manage hunger, you can sip on fluids frequently throughout the day. Choosing options like bone broth, which contains some protein, and consuming a variety of clear liquids like juice and gelatin can also help.

A clear liquid diet is typically only used for a short duration, usually no more than a few days, because it is very low in calories and nutrients. Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for the recommended timeframe.