01/6 Liquid diets for weight loss?
Losing weight is not as simple as it seems. It takes tremendous effort, determination and will power to reach your weight loss goals. Whether you’ve signed up for intense workout routines or have adhered to a restrictive diet, you must stay on track until you see the change you want.
That said, if you’re planning to go on a liquid diet, it is important that you follow it with utmost care and expert guidance. While it may bear fruits, choose health over weight loss. However, read on to find out if liquid diets can actually help you lose weight or not.
02/6 What is a liquid diet?
Liquid diet, as the name suggests, is when you consume all your nutrients and calories in the form of liquid. It is highly recommended by doctors when a person has severe digestive issues or has undergone a surgery so as to ease your swallowing process or to minimize any strain on your digestive system.
03/6 When should you resort to liquid diets?
At times, when you’re experiencing digestive issues and have difficulty chewing or swallowing your food, liquid diets can be a safe alternative.
Similarly, when preparing to have a test or an imaging procedure to see the insides of your stomach and intestines, you may be asked to be on a liquid diet for a day or two prior to the process. This ensures that no undigested food is left over in your gastrointestinal tracts, which could impact the results.
In case you need to go into a surgery or a medical procedure, you may have to again be on a liquid diet to reduce the risk of aspiration.
04/6 Can liquid diets help with weight loss?
Considering liquid diets are much lower in calories as compared to their solid counterparts, it can aid your weight loss process but for a short period of time. Drastically cutting down on calories can sometimes slow down your metabolism to save energy. Therefore, once you’re off the liquid diet, you may regain all the weight you lost. However, diets that include both solid foods and liquid diets may be more impactful and productive for your weight loss plan.
05/6 What are the downsides?
Liquid diets, as effective as it may be, are not sustainable. They do not teach you the art of maintaining a healthy eating habit and may prove ineffective in the long run. Contrary to solid foods that contain many necessary nutrients, liquid diets may lack the essential nutrients and macronutrients required for your body to function efficiently. That said, it can lead to side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, and other ailments.
06/6 Do’s and Don’ts of following a liquid diet
Before following a liquid diet for weight loss, consult your physician or an expert. Do not make your decisions on the basis of what you hear, read and see.
Have a liquid meal replacement every few hours so as to control your cravings and satiate your hunger. However, do not continue if it takes a toll on your health.
Do not engage in high-calorie liquid intake, but try to stay hydrated all the time.
Try to replace certain meals with liquid diets and do not go all in. This will ensure that you don’t lack essential nutrients that you will only find in solid foods. Also, once you plan to get off a liquid diet, you won’t regain the weight immediately.
