Liquid diet: how healthy it is to base your diet on juices and smoothies

Following a liquid diet for a long time can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Photo: Green Juice/Shutterstock

Some weight loss diets replace some foods with fluids, while in Some plans replace all solid foods with beverages such as juices and smoothies.

Sometimes, a liquid diet is prescribed for certain health reasons, for certain digestive problems, before surgery or after some surgeries. We will focus on checking how healthy and effective it is to follow a liquid diet for weight loss or “detoxification”.

Meal replacement shakes are usually lower in calories than regular meals. The company that sells meal replacements designed this drink with the nutrients the body needs to function, protein, carbohydrates and fats, as well as vitamins and minerals.

Juices are usually promoted in detox diets. These drinks may not contain all the nutrients your body needs.

Replacing some foods like breakfast with meal replacement shakes can give you the opportunity to get nutrients from solid foods.

Smoothies will have greater nutritional benefits than juices because whole fruits or vegetables are used to prepare them, they have more fiber and a lower glycemic index. “Smoothies can be a great way to get vegetables if you’re having trouble adding them to your diet,” says Kathy McManus, director of the Department of Nutrition at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Juices have less fiber than whole fruits or vegetables, and fruit juices in particular tend to have a higher glycemic index than whole fruit, according to Harvard Health.

Liquid diets will not be a good strategy for lasting weight loss

Liquid meal replacement diets are usually very low in calories. may cause initial weight loss due to low calorie intake, but results may not last long and can have negative health effects.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), liquid diets are less likely to cause weight gain after a person resumes a normal diet.

A diet that severely restricts calories or the types of food eaten may not provide all the nutrients your body needs to function properly.

Liquid diets may not be a safe choice

The safety of a liquid diet depends on the type of diet, medical supervision, and the length of the program.

The UK National Health Service (NHS) notes that very low calorie diets are for obese and very obese adults. They are not the first choice for managing obesity and should not be used routinely.

very low calorie diet they should only be followed under medical advice and supervision for a maximum of 12 weeks. Following a liquid diet for a long time can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Side effects of a liquid diet include: feeling low on energy, dry mouth, constipation or diarrhea, headache, dizziness, thinning hair, and gallstones. Gallstones are the most common serious side effect of very low-calorie diets.

This may interest you:
– Martha Stewart’s green juice recipe, her secret to looking great
–Drinks that add more sugar to your diet
– 7 ways to reduce 500 calories per day and lose weight according to experts

Stuart Martin

"Internet trailblazer. Troublemaker. Passionate alcohol lover. Beer advocate. Zombie ninja."

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