Do not eat foods containing fibre. This is found in fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains, such as wholemeal bread and cereals.
The biggest culprits that will show up in a colonoscopy and obscure our view are foods like nuts, seeds and high-fiber cereals. You also want to avoid granola, coconut, dried fruit and fresh fruit with the skin on, like apples and pears, or fruit with seeds, like strawberries and raspberries.
Traditionally, gastroenterologists recommend a clear liquid diet (no solid food) for the entire day before the procedure, and upwards of 36 hours depending on the timing of the test. This is followed by a split bowel prep, which involves drinking 2 separate doses of a liquid laxative.
Colonoscopy is a procedure used to detect abnormalities in the large intestine (colon). One day before the procedure, it is advised not to eat any solid or semi-solid food, such as mashed potatoes, applesauce, oatmeal, etc. A clear liquid diet must be taken 24 to 72 hours before the procedure.
2 days before your colonoscopy
The things that you can eat or drink are listed below. This helps the bowel preparation solution to work properly. Do not eat foods containing fibre. This is found in fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains, such as wholemeal bread and cereals.
However, in general, in the days leading up to your colonoscopy you are allowed to eat: Eggs. Fruit with the skin and seeds removed. Lean meat, chicken and/or fish.
1 Day Before Your Colonoscopy (Prep Day)
Before 10:00 am, you may have a small, light breakfast. Examples of a light breakfast are: eggs, soup or broth with noodles (no meat or vegetables), white crackers, white rice, white potatoes, white bread, Boost® or Ensure®. At 10:00 am, begin a clear liquid diet.
Low residue breakfast foods include eggs, white bread, cottage cheese, yogurt, grits, coffee, and tea. You may have clear liquids. Do not drink milk or eat or drink anything colored red or purple.
Avoid whole grains and cereals. Choose cooked or canned fruits and vegetables over fresh ones. Choose white bread, white rice and products made with refined flour.
You can eat solid foods the day before you undergo the procedure! That's right. You don't have to starve yourself by consuming only clear fluids like broth and Popsicles (and not even cherry-flavored, because they're the color of, well, you know) to prepare for a colonoscopy.
Will I be up all night with colonoscopy prep? Probably not, if you start on time. While everyone's body is different, most people are able to complete their round of purging before going to sleep for the night.
7) I accidentally ate a full dinner and am supposed to have my procedure tomorrow. What do I do? Answer: You can call and re-schedule during business hours the next day. You do not need to show up for your procedure to do this, even if your procedure was early in the morning.
How long does it take a colonoscopy prep to clear bowels completely? It can take 12 to 16 hours for the bowels to completely clear. Eating a low-residue, soft diet for a day or more before starting the prep can help make it easier and faster.
Foods that you may eat include:
Bananas, soft cantaloupe, honeydew, avocado. Chicken, fish, beef, pork, tofu, eggs. Margarine, butters/oils, smooth sauces and dressings.
Studies have indicated that colonoscopies done during the morning hours have actually contributed to more accurate findings due to a number of varying factors. Although it might not be a thrill to wake up earlier than usual, it could just help your overall health.
Three days prior to your procedure, please eat low fiber foods: Do not eat any nuts or seeds (including those in pickles, tomatoes, fruit, etc.). Do not eat high-grain/ high-fiber bread, rolls, pasta, crackers or cereal with nuts or seeds. This includes granola, raisin bran and oatmeal.
You can drink water, tea or coffee with skim milk only (or black tea/coffee), and any other drinks you like as long as they contain skim milk only. What are clear fluids?
You can include the following foods in your low-fiber diet when preparing for a colonoscopy. Dairy: Low-fat or skim milk, powdered milk, buttermilk, sour cream, custard, low-fat ice cream, sherbets, and low-fat yogurt without seeds, nuts, rinds, or berries.
You can switch to a soft-food diet of scrambled eggs, smoothies, white bread, fruit without skin or seeds, and well-cooked vegetables 2-3 days before the procedure to get used to the liquid-only diet the day before the colonoscopy.
The Day Before Your Procedure:You are allowed to have a light breakfast and lunch. (hard boiled eggs, toast, soup, half sandwich). After 1pm, you are on a clear liquid diet.
For Breakfast You may have a light breakfast consisting of plain or vanilla yogurt, 2 slices of dry or buttered toast, coffee or tea (with a little cream or milk) and clear liquids. After Breakfast Start on a clear liquid diet. Clear liquids are those you can “see through”.
You can still have smooth soups with no bits (e.g. tomato, vegetable Bouillon), jelly, ice cream, Ambrosia custard, Complan drinks, Bovril and Oxo drinks, and water, clear juices, fizzy drinks, coffee and tea.
Foods to avoid:
Tough, fibrous cooked vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, broad beans, broccoli and cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, mushrooms, onion, peas (green peas), sauerkraut and cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, zucchini summer squash, winter squash.