The main purpose of a liquid diet is weight loss. Most liquid diets are low in calories for rapid weight loss but they are not for everyone.

Water remains the best choice for hydration. Low-fat milk will also give you a great protein source, or you can mix seltzer water with juice. As some juices are high in calories and sugars, try to drink in moderation or mix half water and half juice for a water juice combination. Soda and iced tea should be drunk in moderation because they usually come with lots of sugar and caffeine.

Water, milk, juices and even some foods contain a lot of fluid. Any foods that will melt, such as gelatin or flavored ice treats, or foods that contain a lot of liquid such as soup are measured as part of your fluid intake. For most people, the foods consumed count for about 20 percent of one's fluid intake.

Drinking too much alcohol may replace the nutritious foods in a diet. It can also interfere with nutrients absorbed from foods.

Alcoholic beverages contain significant amounts of calories. A 12-ounce can of beer for example contains about 150 calories. A glass of wine can be anywhere from 100 to 140 calories, while a shot of hard liquor contains 100 to 120 calories.

There is no magic pill for weight loss.