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I’ve seen both bad and good reviews on liquid diets. The most recognized type of liquid diet is based on liquid protein rather than actual food.  Currently this type of diet is often prescribed for the clinically obese as an alternative to bariatric surgery.  This allows the patient control over their diet without any invasive treatments.  Many commercial liquid diets claim they are perfectly safe, however many researchers are still skeptical.

You may wonder how a liquid diet can cause you to lose weight.  First off, a liquid diet would severely reduce your fat and calorie intake.  One pound of fat is equal to 3500 calories and many of these liquid diets only consist of 800 calories per day.  These diets consist mainly of protein and lack excess calories or fat, allowing the body to begin burning already digested fat immediately.  These diets can often cause a person to feel less energetic, however they do cause rapid weight loss of up to 3-4 pounds per week.

Some of the newer commercial liquid diets consist of 3 stages; a fasting stage, refeeding stage, and a maintenance stage.  During the fasting stage, typically 3 months, a person would only consume up to 800 calories per day.  During the refeeding stage, a person would be allowed to eat sensible meals and finally during the maintenance stage people are allowed to make their own sensible meal choices.

In past years, liquid diets were blamed for serious medical conditions and even death.  However, today many companies stress the importance of maintaining proper nutrition levels and include healthy elements in their shakes such as; complete proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.  Many of them often contain fiber as well, to aid proper digestion and encourage a feeling of satiety.

Liquid diets are not meant for everyone and you should check with your doctor or health care professional before implementing any new health regime.  This type of diet requires a very disciplined attitude and willpower.

Many people exhibit improvements within a couple of weeks of starting a liquid diet.  Many notice a change in : weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. This type of diet can be very beneficial in treating: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.

One major problem with this diet is that it may be difficult to maintain your desired weight once reached.  It is estimated that out of 100 people that lose weight this way, 95 will regain their lost weight. To gain optimum effectiveness on this diet, it is best to learn to adjust your diet accordingly after completing the fasting period.  It is important to understand what foods are healthy and how to maintain your weight through exercise.

In some people, negative side effects will be exhibited.  Health risks and conditions often arise from people not following directions or not having proper medical supervision while dieting.  Some weight loss experts claim that liquid diets use up too much lean muscle and can cause the metabolism to slow down, making it more difficult to retain weight loss.  In some people, long-term liquid diets can lead to muscle cramps, anemia, menstrual changes, dizziness, and constipation.  It can also lead to cardiac dysfunctions if for example a person who is only moderately overweight looses an excessive amount of lean muscle. In some people the high protein can cause an electrolyte imbalance which may result in an irregular heart beat.  In 25% of people the liquid diet may cause gallstones due to an inability to contract bile.

I recently tried my own liquid diet and intended to remain on it, but was unable due to funding.  I have a bit of training in nutrition and diet so I decided to formulate my own shakes.  However, I decided to increase the caloric intake to 1500 calories per day.

Here was my recipe:

• Soy Milk (either vanilla or chocolate)
• Fiber Powder
• Carnation Instant Breakfast powder (chocolate or vanilla)
• Slim Fast Optimum Powder (chocolate)
• 1 banana
• ice

My plan was to consume 2 of these per day and one low-fat dinner.  I could snack on fat-free jello or pudding, or low-fat yogurt.  I also permitted myself to have any type of fruits, vegetables, or juices from fruits and vegetables.  I may also have some high-fiber whole wheat or whole grain bread. Finally, I was also allowed to have soups as long as they didn’t have large chunks of noodles or meat; they had to be mainly liquid or creamed.

I am classified as clinically obese and I lost 6lbs in one week with this diet.  It does take an incredible amount of will power and restraint to utilize this type of diet.

**Please do not try this on your own, unless you have sufficient training to do so.**

**Please consult a health professional prior to altering your current diet to a liquid diet**

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