Clear Liquid Diet

Various clear liquid foods.

Clear liquids are any liquid that you can see through. They are also very easy to digest. You may be put on a clear liquid diet if you are recovering from irritation or infection of the stomach or digestive tract. This diet may also be used before surgery or special procedures such as a colonoscopy. You shouldn't be on this diet for more than 1 to 3 days. Below are some clear liquids you can have on this diet.

Adults and children older than 2 years

Adults should drink a total of 2 to 3 quarts of liquid per day. It may be easier to drink small frequent servings rather than a few large ones. Clear liquids can include:

Clear fruit juices without pulp. Apple, white grape, and cranberry juice; clear fruit drinks.
Beverages. Sports drinks, sodas (no cola or root beer), mineral water (plain or flavored), tea, black coffee, liquid gelatin (add twice the advised amount of water).
Soups. Clear broth.
Desserts. Plain gelatin, frozen fruit juice bars without pulp or fruit pieces.

Children younger than 2 years

Oral rehydration fluids are available at drugstores and most grocery stores. You don’t need a prescription.

Online Medical Reviewer: Brittany Poulson MDA RDN CD CDE
Online Medical Reviewer: Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Sravani Chintapalli Researcher

Date Last Reviewed: 3/1/2025