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.
A few days before the colonoscopy procedure you should start eating a low-fibre (low residue) diet: no wholegrains, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or raw fruits or vegetables. Fruit juices, white bread, refined breakfast cereals, meat and dairy foods are allowed.
You will usually be asked to avoid eating all solid foods the day before your colonoscopy, including eggs. However in the week preceding your colonoscopy, you can eat eggs.
Foods allowed:
Canned or cooked fruit without skins or seeds (peaches, pears, apricots, apples) Applesauce. Banana.
OK to eat:
Hot chocolate. Buttermilk. Cheese, including cottage cheese. Yogurt.
Two Days Before Your Appointment
Drink at least eight glasses of water today. STOP eating high-fiber foods such as vegetables and beans until after your colonoscopy. You can eat all other types of foods today.
The day before the colonoscopy procedure — Don't eat solid foods. Instead, consume only clear liquids like clear broth or bouillon, black coffee or tea, clear juice (apple, white grape), clear soft drinks or sports drinks, Jell-O, popsicles, etc.
Avoid products containing Olestra (a fat substitute found in some fat-free and low-fat foods) for one week. A few examples of foods you may eat are dairy products, meats, poultry, fish, pasta, white rice, white bread, eggs, mashed potatoes, cooked carrots or squash. *** Take NO SOLID FOODS – CLEAR LIQUIDS ONLY.
Background. Colonoscopies performed in the afternoon (PM) have been shown to have lower adenoma detection rates (ADR) compared to those in the morning (AM). Endoscopist fatigue has been suggested as a possible reason. Colonoscopies tend to be technically more challenging in female patients.
Most doctors advise that you start your colonoscopy prep two to three days before the procedure. This includes eating only low-fiber foods that are easy to digest. Some doctors prescribe low-fiber foods only one day before a colonoscopy.
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.
Colonoscopy recovery is usually quick with most people resuming normal activity the next day. Even so, it is important not to rush back to work. It is best to take the remainder of the day to rest, recover from sedation, and replenish fluids and nutrition. The results of your exam should be available within a few days.
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”. NOTE: CLEAR LIQUIDS ONLY.
Why Can't I Have Milk Before a Colonoscopy? Anything that you drink other than clear liquids can end up inside of the colon. Similar to how certain dyes can affect your colonoscopy, traces of milk can hide a possible polyp in the walls of the colon.
NO tough meat with gristle
Two days before, continue eating only low-fiber foods. See the clear liquid chart for the day before, and day of, your colonoscopy.
Don't eat these foods
Avocado, mushrooms Beans, nuts, peas, lentils – all other vegetables including salads. Fish, chicken, tofu, eggs, oils Red meats, processed meats; ham, sausage.
DO NOT EAT: Whole grain breads and pastas, corn bread or corn muffins, any other foods made with whole grains. Strong cheese, yogurt containing fruit skins or seeds, raw vegetables (except romaine lettuce)
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.
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.
It is acceptable to eat chocolate a few days before your colonoscopy, but avoid hard candies. If you are experiencing difficulty with indigestion, you should avoid any hard foods that may stay in your colon for a long time.