Medically reviewed by Ashwathy V. Pillai, Postgraduate Degree in Dietetics & Applied Nutrition
These days people want to lose more weight in less time. That becomes the base of many diet plans and Liquid diet for weight loss is one of such famous diet plans.
From Beyonce Knowles to Sonakshi Sinha, they all at some point chose Liquid Diet for weight loss. But is it really the right way to shed weight? Let’s know it all!
Table of Contents:
- What is a Liquid Diet?
- What do you eat on a liquid diet?
- Are Liquid Diets Good For You?
- Liquid Diet for Weight Loss
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What is a liquid diet?
A diet that is primarily based on liquid nutrition is called a liquid diet. Liquid diet for weight loss basically tries to fulfil the nutrient requirements of an individual only through fluids like shakes, broths etc.
In this diet, you will be either asked to replace all or at least 2-3 meals of the day with some liquid sources. A Liquid Diet may be a kind of Fad diet.
What do you eat on a liquid diet?
Basically, you eat nothing but just drink! Yes, it is all about surviving on a fluid diet. A liquid diet usually includes the following:
- Fruit Juices
- Vegetable Juices
- Soup Broth
- Shakes
- Coconut water
- Sports drinks
- Strained gelatin water
Are Liquid Diets Good For You?
The answer would be NO. If only certain liquids would have been enough to maintain good health and a body, we wouldn’t have needed any food at all. But we have been blessed with many food groups, which we all require for a healthy living.
So, if you’d ask us, we will never promote liquid diets for weight loss. We believe food can be the answer to all your health problems, including weight gain.
Possible’s take on Liquid diets for weight loss:
So to hush all the noises about liquid diets for weight loss
Monounsaturated fats | Polyunsaturated fat | Saturated fat | Trans fat |
---|---|---|---|
1. Olives and olive oil 2. Groundnut and its oil 3. Avocado 4. Nuts – almonds, pistachios, cashew, and hazelnuts | 1. Sesame/gingelly /til seed oil 2. Sunflower oil 3. Walnuts 4. Flaxseed 5. Pumpkin seeds 6. Fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, trout, sardines) | 1. High-fat cuts of meat (beef, lamb, pork) 2. Chicken with skin 3. Butter 4. Lard | 1. Commercially-baked goods (cookies, crackers, cakes, muffins, pie crusts, pizza dough) 2. Packaged snack foods (crackers, microwave popcorn, chips) 2. Solid fats (margarine, vegetable shortening, vanaspati) 4. Fried foods (French fries, fried chicken, chicken nuggets) 5. Pre-mixed products (cake mix, pancake mix) |
We bring to you the following points that will show the various side effects of liquid diet:
1. Liquid diet ignores Carbohydrates:
To all who are willing to go on a zero carb diet or liquid diet without carbs, you are ignoring something very important. Carbohydrates are the sources of energy for the body.
They are found in foods like vegetables, fruits, dairy products, whole grains etc. The body requires these foods to prepare glucose which is used for energy right away or can be stored for later uses. Most of the liquid diets will, therefore, make your body devoid of this energy, making it unhealthy.
Results: Fatigue, poor heart health, dizziness etc.
2. Liquid diet ignores Fibers:
Liquid diets cannot serve the recommended fiber requirement of your body. Fibers are important for digestion and keeping a cholesterol check as well as proper bowel movements in your body.
Results: Constipation, High cholesterol and poor digestion
3. Causes deficiencies in the body:
The liquid diet restricts many nutrients. This may result in severe malnutrition. Moreover, this diet can make you a calorie deficit that will inhibit the normal body regulations.
Results: Gallbladder problems, heart issues, fatigue, etc.
4. Not enough proteins:
Although there are protein supplementing drinks for weight loss on a liquid diet, they still don’t meet the protein requirements.
Proteins are the building blocks of your muscles. And we all know that without enough proteins, there will be severe muscle loss that will further deteriorate the body.
Results: A weaker body with heart issues.
5. Lowers metabolism:
The liquid diet can lower the body’s metabolism. And this will not only exist during the diet period but may extend in the long run
Results: Serious damage to the body functions
Also Read: See Why Carbohydrates are Necessary?
6. Doesn’t last long: Do all liquid diets work?
If weight loss is the only thing you are looking for then on a liquid diet, you will surely lose weight. Yes. But that will be at the cost of your health. Moreover, such weight loss is never sustainable. Soon after you start eating a balanced diet with whole foods again there are chances of bouncing back to that lost weight.
7. A liquid diet can bring severe mood swings:
It will not only come with hunger issues but also moodiness. It is often found that people on liquid diets can become cranky and irritated easily
On the Oprah Winfrey’s show, when Beyonce was asked how she felt on the Master Cleanse Diet (a kind of liquid diet), the star singer replied, “I was cranky!”
However, if you want to include certain liquid drinks in your normal diet you can always opt for healthy drinks. Some of Possible’s recommendations would be Fruit and Nut Smoothie and Green Tea.
Some FAQs on Liquid diet:
1] Is juice fasting bad for you?
If juices could be enough for your body, why would we be eating food at all? Juices are healthy and must be included in your diet but if you take up only juices restricting foods then it will only harm you.
2] What can I drink to help me lose weight?
For a liquid diet the usual drinks for weight loss are:
- Water
- Vegetable Juices
- Tea without sugar
- Green tea
- Skim milk
3] Do detox drinks make you lose weight?
Detox drinks mainly help in washing away the body toxins. It is a wonderful way to make you look brighter and feel healthier and can also help you in losing weight.
Our body needs a balanced diet covering all the food groups. So any restricted diet such as a Liquid Diet although will make you slimmer in a short time but that can never be healthy.
Now that you know all about Liquid Diet, the choice is yours!
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