My journey into the world of a liquids-only diet began on Tuesday after my double jaw surgery and will continue for two long weeks. It’s only been a couple of days, but I’ve been craving any sort of solid (or even mushy) food. Let’s make it clear that there will no longer be any smoothies or soups during my Last Meal. I think I’ve had enough to last me a lifetime…
Sadly, my teeth are bound together by rubber-bands to keep my jaws from moving, and only the liquids that can flow through the random holes between my teeth will ever reach my throat and into my stomach.
This means that I have to rely on pure liquids to get enough nutrients for my body to recover. I have to drink something every two hours whether it’s a protein drink like Boost or a super thin fruit smoothie or Nutella milkshake or pureed rice with soup or a nice cold cup of water. The idea is to stay hydrated and consume 1600—2000 calories a day (about 8—10 cups of liquid).
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
So far, my favorite thing to drink is soup. My mom made me my favorite chicken soup so whenever I drink it, I can pretend it’s just another day at home with a bowl of soup in front of me. Sadly, that image only lasts so long. Once I lift the cup from my lips, I find that my lips are coated with sticky soup. To make the soup more nutritious, my mom adds some rice and chicken to the blender, purees it with the soup and ta-da—now I have a soup smoothie.
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
Another soup I’ve been drinking is oxtail soup. It’s cooked with healthy vegetables like tomatoes and onions, so it’s a great soup to consume. To get nutrients from the veggies, I’ll puree it. But blending meat into soup isn’t always appealing, so I can add a bit of protein mix. It’ll taste a bit powdery, but getting those nutrients are key. If I was a vegetarian, this carrot soup would be a better but equally delicious option.
With so many delicious fruits in season, my fridge is jam-packed with all sorts that I can’t eat. There’s white peach, white cherries, golden kiwis, watermelon and mangoes (aka all my favorites). Since I can’t eat them, I have to make do with smoothies and juices. If I need more calories for the day, I can blend in milk substitute and egg replacement powder.
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
Frankly, blending everything with a liquid is the solution to my diet. Blend the fruits. Puree the rice. Blend the veggies. Puree the meat. Repeat. It’s a sad way to eat, and I hope none of you have to undergo the struggle that I am. If you are, push on! Make sure you stay hydrated!