COMMON THERAPEUTIC DIETS

1. Clear-liquid diet
   1. Purpose: relieve thirst and help maintain fluid balance.
   2. Use: postsurgically and following acute vomiting or diarrhea.
   3. Foods allowed: carbonated beverages; coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated); tea; fruit-flavored drinks; strained fruit juices; clear, flavored gelatins; broth, consommé; sugar; popsicles;
   4. commercially prepared clear liquids; and hard candy.
   5. Foods avoided: milk and milk products, fruit juices with pulp, and fruit.
2. Full-liquid diet
   1. Purpose: provide an adequately nutritious diet for patients who cannot chew or who are too ill to do so.
   2. Use: acute infection with fever, gastrointestinal upsets, after surgery as a progression from clear liquids.
   3. Foods allowed: clear liquids, milk drinks, cooked cereals, custards, ice cream, sherbets, eggnog, all strained fruit juices, vegetable juices, creamed vegetable soups, puddings, mashed potatoes, instant breakfast drinks, yogurt, mild cheese sauce or pureed meat, and seasonings.
   4. Foods avoided: nuts, seeds, coconut, fruit, jam, and marmalade.