Some weight loss diets replace some meals with liquids, while some plans replace all solid foods with drinks like juices and smoothies.
Sometimes, liquid diets are prescribed for specific health reasons
For certain digestive problems, before surgery or after some surgeries. We will focus on reviewing how healthy and effective it is to follow liquid diets to lose weight or “detox.”
Meal replacement shakes are usually lower in calories than typical meals
The companies that sell these meal replacements design these drinks with the nutrients that the body needs to function, proteins, 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 just a few meals like breakfast with meal replacement shakes can give you a chance to get nutrients from solid foods.
Smoothies would have a greater nutritional advantage over juices since they have more fiber and a lower glycemic index to prepare them using whole fruit or vegetables. “Smoothies can be a good way to get vegetables if you’re having a hard time adding them to your diet,” says Kathy McManus, director of the Department of Nutrition at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
“Juice has less fiber than a whole fruit or vegetable, and fruit juices in particular are likely to have a higher glycemic index than a whole fruit,” shares Harvard Health.
Liquid diets would not be a good strategy for lasting weight loss
Liquid meal replacement diets are often very low in calories, may cause initial weight loss due to low calorie intake, but the results would not be long-lasting and may have negative health effects.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), liquid diets tend to cause weight gain once a person resumes a normal diet.
Diets that severely restrict calories or the types of food eaten may not provide all the nutrients the body requires to function properly.
Liquid diets may not be a safe option
The safety of liquid diets 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 severely obese adults. They are not the first choice for managing obesity and should not be used routinely.
Very low calorie diets should only be followed under medical advice and supervision for up to 12 weeks. Following a liquid diet for a long time can increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies.
Side effects of the liquid diet include: feeling low on energy, dry mouth, constipation or diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, thinning hair, and gallstones . Gallstones are the most common serious side effect of very low-calorie diets.