Disclosed herein is a preoperative beverage that is formulated to beadministered prior to anoperation or surgical procedure. In particular, the preoperative beverage is awater-basedbeverage that is configured to provide a patient with calories and nutrientswhile alsomaintaining an osmolality that is suitable for preoperative use Thepreoperative beverage mayhave a pH greater than approximately 4.3, one or more carbohydrates to provideat least 200calories, and an osmolality ranging between 250-300 mOsm to facilitateabsorption in less thantwo hours. The preoperative beverage may also include one or more amino acids,as well asother nutritional supplements to facilitate the health and comfort of thepatient before and afterthe operation or surgical procedure.
