What Should You Eat Before a Colonoscopy? Best Foods To Try - GoodRx (2024)

The U.S. Preventive Task Force recommends adults get screened for colon cancer starting at age 45. That’s because colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S.

A colonoscopy is a screening for colon cancer. During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist looks at your colon using a camera. The camera is inserted into your colon through a tube that enters through the anus.

You’ll have to do a colonoscopy prep — sometimes called a bowel clean-out — before your colonoscopy. The prep can make or break a colonoscopy. The better the clean-out, the better your doctor will be able to see your colon. And this allows you to get the best and most accurate results. If you don’t follow the prep, your doctor may not be able to see your colon. This means you won’t get any results and you might have to get a repeat colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy prep involves eating and drinking certain foods and taking medications to remove stool from your bowels. The medications speed up how quickly stool moves through your bowel. But just taking your medication isn’t enough. You also have to make sure you adjust your diet in the days leading up to your colonoscopy. Let’s look at what foods you should and shouldn’t eat before your colonoscopy.

What are the best foods to eat when preparing for a colonoscopy?

Some foods are better to eat than others in the days leading up to your colonoscopy. These foods can give you the best colonoscopy prep results.

Low-fiber foods

High-fiber foods provide many health benefits, and they’re great to include in your regular diet. But high-fiber foods are more likely to leave undigested material behind in your colon. This will make your colonoscopy prep less effective.

It’s best to avoid high fiber foods for 3 to 5 days before your colonoscopy. This includes:

• Nuts and seeds

• Whole grains

• Whole fruit

• High-fiber vegetables

Instead, opt for low-fiber foods like:

• Dairy products

• Lean meats

  See Also

  Colonoscopy Prep Diet: What to Eat & Avoid (with 3-Day Meal Plan)The Best Pre-Colonoscopy Diet | Livestrong.com

• Fish

• Tofu

• Creamy peanut butter

Low-residue foods

Low-residue foods are less likely to leave behind undigested or unabsorbed material. Eating low-residue foods can cause you to have smaller and less frequent bowel movements. In the long term, this can lead to constipation. But, in the short term, it can actually help you achieve a better clean-out.

It’s best to incorporate low-residue foods into your diet for 3 to 5 days before your colonoscopy. Here are some examples of low-residue foods:

• Eggs

• White rice

• Refined grain products (like white bread)

• Fruits without seeds or skin (like bananas or peeled apples)

Clear liquids

Some doctors will ask you to follow a clear liquid diet for 24 hours before your colonoscopy. Clear fluids help clear out the bowel and flush out secretions made by your stomach and pancreas. So, make sure to drink or eat plenty of clear liquids the day before your colonoscopy.

Choose clear liquids like:

• Clear broth

• Plain Jell-O (without red or purple food dye — more on this below)

• Popsicles (avoid red or purple versions)

• Gatorade (not red or purple)

• Pulp-free fruit juice, like apple or white grape juice

What should you avoid eating before a colonoscopy?

Certain foods make your bowel clean-out easier, but others make it more difficult. Avoid the following foods, which can impact your colonoscopy results.

Red and purple food dyes

Red or purple foods or dyes can stain the lining of your colon a reddish color. This can be mistaken for blood, which will prompt your doctor to take tissue samples.

Avoid any foods or drinks that contain red or purple dye for 48 hours before your colonoscopy.

Popcorn, nuts, and seeds

Stop eating popcorn, seeds, and nuts at least a week before your colonoscopy. The hull (outer part) of popcorn, nuts, or seeds can stay in your colon for several days. These items can block the opening of the colonoscope. This can break the colonoscope, which means you — and everyone scheduled that day — won’t be able to get a colonoscopy. Even if the hull doesn’t break the camera, your doctor may see it and mistake it for a cancerous growth.

Make sure to avoid:

• Whole and crushed nuts

• Chunky nut butters

• Fennel, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds

• Popcorn

Fruits or vegetables with skin

Vegetable and fruit skins are very high in fiber. And high-fiber foods are a no-go in the days leading up to a colonoscopy. It can be tricky to spot fruits and vegetables that have skins. Some are obvious, like bananas and kiwis. But others may surprise you.

Here are some fruits and vegetables to avoid:

• Berries

• Raisins and other dried fruits

• Corn

• Tomatoes

• Green peas

• Cabbage

• Brussels sprouts