Preparing for a colonoscopy involves more than just the procedure itself; it requires careful attention to your diet in the days leading up to it. The prep instructions can vary based on your health status, your doctor’s preferences, and where you get screened. This article guides you through a detailed 1-week colonoscopy diet, helping you understand what to eat and avoid for optimal results.
Why Does Your Diet Matter for Colonoscopy Preparation?
The prep for a colonoscopy may not be pleasant, but it’s important to empty out your colon as much as possible before the test. Taking the prep correctly is vital for getting a colonoscopy result we can trust. If stool obscures parts of the colon wall, your gastroenterologist might say your colonoscopy was normal or clean. But the reality is, a polyp or tumor might have been hidden because the prep wasn't good.
Fiber-rich foods are more difficult to digest. This can make the bowel prep you’ll have to do the day before your colonoscopy more difficult.
7 Days Before: Transition to a Low-Fiber Diet
One week before a colonoscopy, here’s what you can eat and what you must avoid:
1. Focus on Low-Fiber Foods
A low-fiber diet helps ensure that your colon is clear of any residues. Here are some low-fiber choices:
Read also: Can I Drink Diet Coke Before a Colonoscopy?
- Lean proteins: Chicken, turkey, and fish
- Low-fiber fruits: Very ripe bananas and apricots, canned peaches, and watermelon
- Cooked vegetables: Carrots and green beans, well-cooked and peeled
- Clear broths: Chicken, beef, or vegetable broth without any particles or fat
Choose white bread and white rice for lower fiber options, as well as pasta made with white flour. Chicken, fish, dairy, and eggs are also low in fiber and good choices for foods 2-3 days before you begin your prep.
Contrary to popular belief, although salmon is a fatty fish, its fat is mostly unsaturated, which is beneficial for heart health-especially due to the Omega-3 fatty acids it’s rich in. Additionally, salmon is naturally free of carbohydrates and contains no fiber.
Avoid raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, and seeds. They can be hard for your digestive system to process. If you eat popcorn or seeds 3 days before your procedure, you will not need to reschedule your procedure; however, the seeds or nuts may cause difficulty in screening and require a need for rescreening.
2. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and keep your intestines clear for a colonoscopy. You can have water, clear juices like apple or white grape, broths, carbonated drinks, or coffee and tea without creamers.
You don't have to just drink water to stay hydrated. You can also get plenty of water from foods like watermelon, cucumbers, beets, carrots, and celery.
Read also: Colonoscopy and Weight Management
3. Avoid Dairy
Dairy products like milk and milk powder can leave traces in your gut. This can hide parts of your colon lining and affect your results. Anything that you drink other than clear liquids can end up inside the colon. Traces of milk can hide a possible polyp in the walls of the colon.
4. Avoid Foods with Red or Purple Dye
In the days before your colonoscopy, you'll be instructed not to eat foods or drink beverages that are red or purple. Red or purple dyes can stain the colon and interfere with the colonoscopy results. Stay away from red or purple juices, sodas, jellies, candies, and sauces.
5. Avoid Tough Meats and High-Fat Foods
Avoid eating fatty cuts of meat (ribeye steak, bacon, and sausages) and fried foods (fried chicken, fries, and chips). These can be hard on your digestive system as they take longer to digest.
You’ll also need to stop taking iron and vitamin E supplements, blood thinners, and pain relievers about a week before the procedure. Additionally, avoid drinking alcohol, as these can interfere with your colonoscopy results. How long you should stop a blood thinner before a colonoscopy varies based on the drug and the reason you are on the blood thinner. But usually, it is between 3-7 days before the colonoscopy. You might also have to stop taking certain supplements like iron, fiber, and fish oil a week before your appointment. These supplements could interfere with the success of your colonoscopy.
The Day Before: Clear Liquid Diet and Laxative Prep
The day before your colonoscopy, your doctor will likely recommend you start following a clear-liquid diet. This means sticking to fluids like water, coffee, and broth. This includes consuming clear broths, clear juices like apple or white grape, plain water, and popsicles. On the night before the procedure, avoid eating or drinking anything, including water, after midnight. Your gastroenterologist has ordered a specific bowel prep, which our pharmacy partner, Gifthealth, will distribute.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
You'll need to start taking laxatives two days before your colonoscopy to ensure your bowels are properly cleansed. You’ll have to take laxatives two days before your colonoscopy. This is crucial for cleansing your bowels before the procedure. The type of bowel prep you will be given can vary based on your provider. The prep medicines may include laxative pills or powders to mix into clear liquids to clear out your bowels as much as possible. If you’re choosing between colonoscopy prep pills vs. liquid, consult your doctor to determine the best option for you.
Once you begin taking the prep, its effects will usually kick in within a few hours. This means you’ll be spending a lot of time in the bathroom. “Remember the point of all of this is to give you diarrhea and make it so your stool output is only liquid and not brown at all,” said Dr. It’s crucial that you follow all of the directions of your prep very closely. Be sure to read the instructions well ahead of time in case you need to buy any of the prep medicines. “Lots of people get worn out in the middle of the prep, talk themselves into thinking they've drank enough, and quit early,” said Dr. Kamath. If you find yourself struggling through your bowel prep, remember to stay hydrated.
Your doctor may prescribe Magnesium Citrate in addition to your primary bowel preparation. It may have a slight tint of yellow or brown.
Bowel movements can take up to 5-6 hours after beginning the prep to start. Be patient and continue to drink clear liquids. If you have not had a bowel movement by midnight the night before your procedure, you will need to reach the on-call physician for further instructions.
If you develop nausea or vomiting, slow down the rate at which you drink the solution. Please attempt to drink all of the laxative solution even if it takes you longer. If vomiting persists, or you are not able to finish the preparation, stop the preparation and contact your physician’s office during normal business hours or speak to the on-call physician.
Finally, if you are still taking medications the day before your colonoscopy, it might be time to stop some of them. Your doctor will likely recommend you don’t eat or drink anything the day of your colonoscopy. However, you might have to do additional bowel prep the morning of your procedure.
Tips for the Day of Your Colonoscopy
There are several tips to keep in mind for the day of your colonoscopy:
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment.
- Don’t wear jewelry or a watch, as they will have to be removed.
- Ask your doctor what anesthesia or sedative they plan to use. This can help you know how groggy you’ll be for the rest of the day and whether you might need additional help at home.
- Plan to rest for the remainder of the day following your appointment.
- You should also keep in mind that you won’t be able to drive yourself home from your colonoscopy. This is because the sedative given before the procedure won’t be completely worn off by the time you leave. Be sure to arrange for someone to take you to and from your appointment beforehand. Many centers require the driver to stay while the patient gets the colonoscopy, too,” said Dr. Kamath. If you don’t have someone to come with you to your appointment, talk with your health care team.
- You may not go home in a taxi, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), or take public transportation. The sedation you will receive will prevent you from driving safely or working the day of your procedure.
Post Colonoscopy Diet
After your colonoscopy, eat soft and easy-to-digest foods such as mashed potatoes, white fish, applesauce, gelatin, soft fruits, and cooked vegetables.
Using a Stool Test Kit: Why It Matters
Before scheduling a colonoscopy, consider using a stool test kit like Diagnox’s Colonox fecal immunochemical test (FIT). This at-home test helps detect any lower gastrointestinal bleeding, which could indicate conditions like fissures, polyps, hemorrhoids, or cancer. Early detection can help you and your doctor address potential issues before a colonoscopy.
Prepare for Colonoscopy with Colonox FIT
Following the 1-week colonoscopy diet sheet can simplify your preparation and ensure accurate results. Stick to low-fiber foods, stay hydrated, and avoid anything that could interfere with the procedure. For your peace of mind, use a stool test kit like Diagnox’s Colonox FIT to detect issues early from the comfort of your home.
The Importance of Colonoscopies
Dr. Kamath noted that colonoscopies are the best way to screen for colorectal cancer because they can help prevent the disease from developing. And regular colonoscopies can find colorectal cancer early. But if you find having anxiety around colonoscopy prep is keeping you from getting screened, talk with your doctor. They can talk with you about other screening options that might be available to you. “The alternative options can catch cancer at an earlier stage, but they can’t remove pre-cancerous polyps like a colonoscopy can, which ultimately can prevent the cancer entirely,” said Dr.
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