What soups are considered clear liquids?

October 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritionists, a clear liquid diet, which relies on transparent, residue-free fluids, is often prescribed before medical procedures to prepare the digestive system. Navigating this restrictive eating plan can be challenging, particularly when it comes to finding comforting foods. Knowing what soups are considered clear liquids is key to adhering to your doctor's instructions while staying nourished and hydrated.

Quick Summary

This guide explains which soups are acceptable for a clear liquid diet, such as broth and bouillon, and which must be avoided. It clarifies the differences between clear and full liquid diets and offers tips for making homemade options.

Key Points

Approved Soups: Only clear, strained liquids like broth, consommé, and bouillon are permitted on a clear liquid diet.
Soups to Avoid: Creamed soups, opaque soups like tomato, and soups with solid particles (e.g., vegetables, noodles) are not allowed.
Homemade Broth: For a perfectly clear broth, simmer ingredients gently in cold water and strain thoroughly to remove all solids and fat.
Full Liquid vs. Clear: A full liquid diet allows for thicker, opaque liquids like strained cream soups and milk, while a clear liquid diet is strictly transparent.
Primary Purpose: The main goal of consuming clear soups on this diet is to provide hydration and a small amount of energy without stressing the digestive system.

Understanding the Clear Liquid Diet

A clear liquid diet is a short-term, medically supervised dietary plan that consists of transparent fluids that are easily digestible and leave minimal residue in the intestinal tract. It is not intended for long-term use and is typically prescribed by a doctor for specific purposes, such as preparing for certain medical procedures (like a colonoscopy), recovering from surgery, or managing episodes of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These liquids, which include water, clear juices, and certain beverages, are primarily used to maintain hydration and provide some electrolytes and energy without stressing the digestive system.

What Soups Are Considered Clear Liquids?

The defining characteristic of soups on a clear liquid diet is their transparency and lack of solid particles. Any soup with visible chunks of meat, vegetables, noodles, rice, or dairy is not considered a clear liquid. The following are the only types of soups and related items typically permitted on this diet:

Broth: This is the most common and versatile clear soup option. It is a savory, flavorful liquid made by simmering meat (such as chicken or beef), vegetables, or both in water. For a clear liquid diet, the broth must be completely strained to remove all solid particles, fat, and any cloudiness.
Bouillon: A concentrated cube, powder, or liquid of dehydrated broth that is dissolved in hot water. Bouillon is a convenient way to prepare a clear soup base quickly. Always check the ingredients list to ensure it doesn't contain any solid particles or non-clear additions.
Consommé: This is a richly flavored, perfectly clarified broth. The clarification process typically involves simmering the broth with egg whites and lean ground meat, which coagulate and rise to the surface, trapping impurities. The resulting broth is then carefully strained, yielding a sparkling-clear liquid. Consommé is essentially a more refined version of a standard broth.
Strained Vegetable Broth: A vegetable stock that has been simmered and then strained to remove all the solid vegetable pieces. While flavorful, it must be completely transparent and free of any fibrous material.

Preparing a Clear Broth at Home

To ensure your homemade broth meets the criteria for a clear liquid diet, follow these simple steps:

Use Quality Ingredients: Start with chicken or beef bones, or a mix of vegetables like celery, onions, and carrots.
Start with Cold Water: Place all ingredients in a pot and cover with cold water. This helps to slowly extract flavors and prevents the rapid release of impurities that can cloud the broth.
Simmer, Don't Boil: Bring the mixture to a boil briefly, then immediately reduce the heat to a very low simmer. Rapid boiling will agitate the ingredients and lead to a cloudy broth. Only gentle, slow bubbling is desired.
Skim Impurities: As the broth simmers, use a spoon to regularly skim any foam or fat that rises to the surface. This is a crucial step for achieving maximum clarity.
Strain Thoroughly: Once cooked, turn off the heat and let it cool slightly. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or a colander lined with cheesecloth. Allow it to cool completely before storing.

Soups to Avoid on a Clear Liquid Diet

Many common soups are explicitly excluded from a clear liquid diet because they are opaque or contain solid food particles. These include:

Cream Soups: Any soup with milk, cream, or other dairy products is not a clear liquid. This includes popular choices like cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, or bisques.
Chunky Soups: Soups containing pieces of meat, vegetables, or noodles, such as chicken noodle, minestrone, or chunky vegetable soup, are prohibited.
Opaque Soups: Any soup that is not transparent, even if it lacks solid chunks, is not suitable. Tomato soup is a common example due to its opacity.
Thickened Soups: Soups thickened with starches, flours, or pureed vegetables are not allowed.

Comparison: Clear vs. Full Liquid Soups

Understanding the distinction between a clear and a full liquid diet is important, as a doctor may progress a patient from one to the other.


Feature	Clear Liquid Soups	Full Liquid Soups
Clarity	Must be transparent, light can pass through.	Can be opaque or creamy.
Consistency	Water-like consistency, no solid residue.	Thicker, can contain pureed foods or milk products.
Ingredients	Strained broth, bouillon, consommé only.	All clear liquid soups, plus strained cream soups, smooth pureed soups, and dairy-based soups.
Examples	Chicken broth, beef bouillon, vegetable consommé.	Strained tomato soup, cream of mushroom soup, thinned creamy potato soup.
Purpose	Minimizes digestion, used for preparation or recovery from acute illness.	Transition step to solid foods, offers more calories and nutrients.

Conclusion: The Role of Clear Soups in a Liquid Diet

For those on a clear liquid diet, selecting the right soup is crucial for both dietary compliance and comfort. The key rule of thumb is to choose only clear, strained liquids, such as broth, bouillon, and consommé, that are free of any solid particles, fat, or opacifying agents like dairy. Making your own broth at home, by simmering ingredients gently and straining thoroughly, ensures complete clarity and adherence to the dietary requirements. While satisfying, a clear liquid diet is only a temporary measure. Always consult your healthcare provider to understand your specific dietary needs and when it is safe to transition back to more varied foods.

For further information on preparing for a medical procedure, you can consult with resources provided by medical institutions like the Mayo Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you cannot have chicken noodle soup. The noodles and pieces of chicken are considered solid foods and must be avoided. Only the completely strained, clear broth from the soup is permissible.

No, cream of mushroom soup is not a clear liquid. It contains dairy products and is opaque, both of which are strictly forbidden on a clear liquid diet.

Consommé is a type of broth that has been clarified to make it perfectly clear and sparkling, often by using egg whites. Regular broth may not be as perfectly transparent but is still acceptable if strained well.

Yes, many canned broths are acceptable, but you should read the ingredient list carefully. Ensure it is fat-free, and check for any added solids or flavorings that might make it cloudy. If a store-bought broth seems cloudy, straining it at home is a safe bet.

Yes, you can add salt and pepper to your clear broth or consommé for flavor. Some doctors may recommend low-sodium options, so it's best to confirm with your healthcare provider if you have concerns about sodium intake.

To make a clear broth, start by simmering bones or vegetables in cold water. Skim any foam or fat that rises to the top during the simmer. Once cooked, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove all solids and impurities.

While bone broth can be very flavorful and nutritious, some health resources advise caution on a clear liquid diet. Because bone broth can contain small particles or be cloudy, it's often safer to stick with standard, completely clear broths. If you use bone broth, ensure it is completely fat-free and perfectly strained.