Preparing Your Diet Before A Colonoscopy

This procedure is meant to examine the lining of your colon and large intestine in a search for any discrepancies. It is recommended that you get your colonoscopy no later than 50 years old and continue getting them at least every ten years following that.  

The rumor that clear hard candy should be eaten before a colonoscopy is particularly true. Although you are not restricted to only clear hard candy before a colonoscopy, you need to stay aware of your eating habits.  Your diet is the most important preparation for your colonoscopy and should be properly managed days before your appointment to control how and what your body digests in a given amount of time. 

To help both yourself and your doctor, unless instructed otherwise, avoid the following foods at least 2 days before your appointment; corn, lettuce, popcorn, or any food with seeds such as cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. The goal is to maintain a low residue diet. You do not want to have anything that doesn’t digest well and risk the scare of a lump that isn’t there. 

Low-Residue Meal Ideas

A few days that the low-residue diet is followed right before your colonoscopy will help reduce any undigested excess in the digestive tract and improve bowel preparation efficiency. They’re super easy meal plans — can you eat, digest and get enough nutrients.  

Breakfast

Begin the morning digestive-focused – and calming. The best choices may be scrambled eggs with white toast, or cream of wheat for breakfast; maybe plain yogurt or pancakes with a little white flour with syrup or cornflakes with milk, if at all practical.  

Lunch

Choose simple low-fiber meal options. Turkey or chicken sandwich on white bread, plain pasta with grilled chicken, macaroni and cheese, tuna salad on white bread or chicken noodle soup with soft noodles are all good choices. Some simple side dishes could include applesauce or plain crackers. 

Dinner

Dinner: lean proteins with refined grains or peeled potatoes as dinner. Chicken with white rice, grilled fish with mashed potatoes (but without skin), turkey breast with plain noodles, or even cheese omelet with white toast are all good choices. Less dense vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds or fried ones are off the list.  

Snacks

If there is hunger between meals you are better off pick some simple foods first. Crackers, string cheese, vanilla pudding, applesauce, ripe bananas, yogurt without slices of fruit or canned peaches or pears without skins are good low residue snack recipes.  

Also, don’t forget: This day before your colonoscopy, usually you’re expected to avoid solid foods and switch to a clear liquid diet, at the direction of your doctor, which you’re supposed to do that day. And there, this is your colon going to be cleaned and examination results obtained — just follow the instructions you give us on how to do it right.

A day before your appointment is where the clear hard candy before a colonoscopy comes in handy. Avoid any heavy color dyes such as reds and blues. Only consume clear liquids such as broth or yellow Gatorade to keep your energy, sugar, and electrolytes in one piece. You will be given the necessary laxative by your doctor. It’s important that you do as told so the process will be easier for you and your physician — and so your recovery after the colonoscopy goes smoothly. Clear hard candy before a colonoscopy mimics food and will be filling and safe to eat. 

Dr. Peyton P. Berookim is recognized as one of the best, award-winning gastroenterologists in Los Angeles. His practice is accommodating and hands-on, caring about his patients’ comfort and well-being. He welcomes anyone who is ready to be more informed about their digestive system — from prep to when it’s safe to work out after a colonoscopy — to make an appointment today.