Liquid diet: 3 menus to help you lose weight or detox

The liquid diet, as the name suggests, is made by consuming only liquids. Ready-to-eat foods such as shakes or juices and soups made at home are released on the menu, always with the ingredients blended in a blender.

But it is important to know that, because it is very restrictive, it should not be done for a long time, because it can leave the body without the nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the body.

According to nutritionist Marcelo Langsdorff, the ideal period, if you are going to do a detox, is a maximum of three days. For weight loss, maximum 15 days. “Otherwise the person can become weak,” he explains.

He explains that there are no contraindications in the liquid diet, but that it is necessary to have a professional follow-up.

How does the liquid diet work?

The liquid diet consists of maintaining a diet without any solid items. Nutritionist Marcelo Langsdorff explains that it basically offers two benefits:

• Detoxify the body, which is good for health;
• Eliminate a few pounds, for those who want to lose weight quickly.

He points out that, in both cases, each organism will react in a different way. “A very restricted liquid diet can lead to a weight loss of about 10 kg in 15 days. But it depends on the person, their physical type, their routine and how the diet will be done. A person with obesity can see the results very quickly, as well as a sedentary person”, says the professional.

3 menus to adopt the liquid diet

In the case of weight loss, light foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, eggplant, okra, asparagus, cucumber, cabbage and leaves in general can be consumed.

It is also important to use thermogenic options, such as cinnamon, ginger, lemon, among others. Here are some menu options recommended by nutritionist Marcelo Langsdorff:

1. Detox Menu

Indication: with light and healthy items, it is ideal for those who want to detoxify the body.

Breakfast: Green juice (put in a blender the juice of 2 oranges and 1 cabbage leaf, washed and without the stem; drink without straining. If you prefer, you can sweeten it with sweetener);

Lunch: Detox Pumpkin Soup;

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 Japanese squash, peeled and chopped
• 1 chopped onion
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 piece of chopped ginger
• Boiling water
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of oil
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• Black pepper

Preparation: Heat the oil and sauté the garlic and onion; add the chopped pumpkin, saute a little more, add the chopped ginger and saute more; add boiling water to cover all the ingredients; remove from heat, wait to cool and hit the blender until you get a homogeneous consistency; then put the mixture back in the same pan and put it on the fire to heat up for about 3 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of oil.

Snacks between meals: a glass of detox juice or smoothie made with skim milk and just a light fruit, such as strawberry;

Dinner: a soup option – it can be the same as lunch or another menu.

2. Reinforced menu

Indication: with more ingredients in the recipes of juices and soups, it guarantees more energy.

Breakfast: Green juice with coconut water (mix 2 cabbage leaves without the stalk, 1 tablespoon of ginger juice, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 200 ml of coconut water in a blender; drink without straining . If you prefer, you can sweeten with sweetener);

Lunch: Yam soup with spinach;

Ingredients

• 5 medium yams
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons golden flaxseed
• 1 coffee spoon of ginger cubes
• 1 teaspoon crushed thyme and rosemary
• 200 ml of water

Preparation Mode: Sauté the onion and garlic in a non-stick pan, add the water, the peeled yam and the ginger and let it cook until the yam is very soft. Then mash the yam in the cooking water itself, add the spinach, adjust the salt and boil for another 2 minutes until the leaves soften. Put the flaxseed and serve.

Snacks between meals: a glass of detox juice or smoothie made with skim milk and just a light fruit, such as strawberry;

Dinner: a soup option – it can be the same as lunch or another menu.

3. Slimming menu

Indication: It is ideal for those who want to lose weight quickly without having to go hungry.

Breakfast: Detox juice with passion fruit (mix 1/2 passion fruit, 1/2 ripe mango without peel, 200 ml of coconut water and 1 teaspoon of chia seed in a popla blender. Drink without straining. If you prefer, can sweeten with sweetener);

Lunch: Cabbage Soup;

Ingredients

• 50 grams of chopped green cabbage
• 2 kale leaves, cut into thin strips
• 1⁄2 cup chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon of grated ginger
• 100 grams of ninja broccoli in bouquets
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 2 celery stalks
• 100 grams of cauliflower
• 1 chayote in cubes
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 small onion grated
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Boiling water

Preparation: Saute garlic, onion, ginger and celery in coconut oil in a pan; add the cabbage, parsley, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and chayote, cover with boiling water and cook until al dente (don’t let the vegetables get too soft). Remove from the heat, let it cool a little, hit the blender, put it back in the pan, add the salt and pepper, bring to the fire to warm up and then serve.

Snacks between meals: a glass of detox juice or smoothie made with skim milk and just a light fruit, such as strawberry;

Dinner: a soup option – it can be the same as lunch or another menu.

“After the attack phase (as the short-term restrictive diet is called), the nutritionist can start adding more nutritious foods to the menu and transforming it into a balanced menu with all the vitamins necessary for the body”, says the nutritionist.

How do I know if this diet is for me?

The liquid diet is basically indicated for those who want to lose weight quickly in a short period of time or for those who want to detox their body. On the other hand, those who follow this diet usually have difficulties to maintain the result, which can cause the dreaded accordion effect.

A fundamental recommendation before starting is always to look for a professional, who will evaluate each case and know which diet is most suitable. In addition, you will be able to indicate the best menu for each objective and closely monitor the entire process.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.