What soups can you eat on a liquid diet? A guide to clear and full liquid options

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Cancer Institute, a full liquid diet may include strained or pureed soups to provide more nutrition than a clear liquid diet. Navigating what soups can you eat on a liquid diet is crucial for maintaining hydration and receiving nutrients during recovery from surgery or a gastrointestinal procedure. This guide provides a detailed overview of suitable options, outlining the key differences between clear and full liquid stages.

Quick Summary

A liquid diet is a medically supervised regimen, often involving a progression from clear broths to more nutritious pureed and creamy soups. This guide provides an overview of which soups are appropriate for each stage, offering examples and preparation tips to ensure adequate hydration and nourishment while avoiding complications during recovery.

Key Points

Clear vs. Full Liquid: Distinguish between clear, fat-free broths for the restrictive clear liquid diet and pureed, creamy, or vegetable-based soups for the more nutritious full liquid diet.
Must be Strained: Ensure all soups for a liquid diet, especially full liquid options, are completely free of lumps, solids, seeds, or skins by pureeing and straining thoroughly.
Boost Nutrition: A full liquid diet can lack fiber and certain nutrients. Incorporate high-quality bone broth or ask your doctor about protein powders and nutritional supplements to increase protein and calories.
DIY Preparation: Making pureed soups at home provides greater control over ingredients and texture. Cook vegetables until very soft, then use a blender or immersion blender for a smooth consistency.
Prioritize Healing: Liquid diets are temporary and medically supervised. Always follow your doctor's specific recommendations to ensure a proper recovery and avoid complications.
Mindful Seasoning: When preparing soups, use seasonings carefully. Add approved herbs, salt, and pepper to enhance flavor without introducing solids.
Transition Safely: A liquid diet is often a transitional step. Your doctor will advise on when and how to progress from clear to full liquids and eventually to a solid diet.

A liquid diet is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Medical professionals prescribe it for specific reasons, such as preparing for a procedure like a colonoscopy, recovering from surgery, or managing difficulties with chewing or swallowing. Depending on your specific medical instructions, the types of soups you can consume will vary significantly. The most common distinction is between a clear liquid diet and a full liquid diet, each with its own set of guidelines for what is and isn't allowed.

Clear liquid diet soups

The clear liquid phase is the most restrictive and is typically used for a very short time, often just before or after a medical procedure. The rule is simple: if you can see through it, you can likely consume it. The purpose is to keep you hydrated and provide some electrolytes without leaving any solid residue in your digestive system. Soups in this category must be broth-based and completely free of any solids, fat, or pulp.

Suitable clear liquid soups

Clear, fat-free broth: This includes chicken, beef, or vegetable broth that has been strained to remove any solids. Bouillon and consommé are also acceptable.
Bone broth: A high-quality bone broth can be an excellent option during this phase. It is nutrient-dense and provides easily digestible minerals and protein. However, it must be strained to ensure no solid pieces remain.

Preparing clear broth at home

To ensure your broth is perfectly clear and free of solids, you can make it at home. After simmering your bones or vegetables, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth multiple times. If there is any fat, refrigerate the broth and skim the solidified fat from the top.

Full liquid diet soups

A full liquid diet follows the clear liquid phase or is prescribed when more nutrition is needed but chewing is still difficult. This diet allows for liquids that are not transparent, including those that are liquid at room temperature. The key is that all ingredients must be pureed and strained to a smooth, lump-free consistency.

Acceptable full liquid soups

Cream of tomato soup: A classic choice, provided it is perfectly pureed and strained to ensure no seeds or skin remain.
Pureed vegetable soups: Nearly any cooked vegetable can be pureed into a soup, such as butternut squash, carrot, cauliflower, or potato. For a smoother consistency, use a high-powered blender or immersion blender and strain if necessary.
Cream-based soups: These are made with milk or cream to create a rich, smooth texture. Examples include cream of mushroom or cream of asparagus soup. For dairy-free options, almond, rice, or soy milk can be used.
Strained meat-based soups: With approval from your doctor, you can create nourishing, pureed soups with strained meat for added protein. This can be done by blending cooked, tender meat (like chicken or beef) into a broth base.
Lentil soup: Lentils are a great source of plant-based protein. Cook them thoroughly and blend them into a smooth, thick consistency for a satisfying and nutrient-rich option.

Making nutritious pureed soups at home

Making your own pureed soups for a full liquid diet allows for more control over flavor and nutrient content. To increase calories and protein, you can add various ingredients, as approved by your healthcare provider.

Process for making pureed soups:

Start with a flavorful base: Sauté chopped onions and garlic (if allowed) in butter or olive oil until soft. Add your choice of chopped vegetables.
Add liquid: Pour in broth or water to cover the vegetables. Simmer until all vegetables are fork-tender.
Blend: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer the ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth. For a thicker soup, you can reduce the amount of liquid or add a potato to the vegetables before blending.
Strain and season: For maximum smoothness, push the soup through a fine-mesh sieve. Season with salt, pepper, and other approved herbs.
Enrich: Stir in cream, milk, or a protein supplement for added calories and nutrients.

The importance of bone broth

For those on a full liquid diet, bone broth continues to be a beneficial addition. The simmering process extracts collagen, amino acids like glycine and proline, and important minerals. These nutrients can support gut health and aid in recovery. You can either drink bone broth on its own or use it as the base for pureed soups to boost their nutritional value.

Comparison of liquid diet soups


Feature	Clear Liquid Diet Soups	Full Liquid Diet Soups
Consistency	Must be transparent and free of any solid particles.	Smooth, thick, and lump-free puree.
Ingredients	Broth, bouillon, consommé.	Pureed vegetables, strained cream soups, strained meats (with approval), milk, cream.
Primary Goal	Hydration, electrolytes, minimal digestion, no residue.	Adequate nutrition, protein, and calories with minimal chewing.
Duration	Very short-term, typically a few days.	Longer than a clear liquid diet, but still temporary.

Conclusion

Navigating a liquid diet requires strict adherence to medical guidelines to ensure a safe and successful recovery. The type of soup you can eat is determined by whether you are on a clear or full liquid diet, and it is essential to follow these distinctions carefully. Clear, fat-free broths are the standard for the initial, more restrictive phase. When advancing to a full liquid diet, a wide variety of nutritious and flavorful pureed soups can be incorporated. Always consult your healthcare provider or a dietitian to create a plan that meets your specific needs, especially for adding supplements to increase calorie and protein intake. To learn more about diet progressions and requirements, MedlinePlus offers comprehensive patient instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

A clear liquid diet consists only of transparent liquids like clear broth and water, leaving no solid residue. A full liquid diet includes all clear liquids plus thicker, non-transparent liquids such as pureed soups, milkshakes, and milk.

Canned soups can be used, but you must read the ingredients carefully. For a clear liquid diet, only broth or consommé is acceptable. For a full liquid diet, cream-based or vegetable soups are fine, but they must be pureed completely and strained to remove any solid pieces.

To add protein, you can blend in protein powder, powdered egg whites, or nonfat dry milk, as approved by your healthcare provider. High-quality bone broth is another excellent, nutrient-dense source of protein and collagen.

Almost any cooked vegetable can be pureed into a soup, including butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, and potatoes. Ensure they are cooked until very soft before blending.

Yes, clear, fat-free bone broth is often allowed during a clear liquid diet. It should be simmered and strained to remove all solids and fat. It provides nutritional benefits and electrolytes.

Yes, an immersion blender is an excellent tool for making pureed soups directly in the pot. It helps achieve a creamy, lump-free consistency required for a liquid diet.

You can thicken pureed soups by adding cooked and pureed potatoes or using a starch like cornstarch or arrowroot powder dissolved in water. Ensure any thickeners are thoroughly blended to avoid lumps.