Meal Ideas Before Colonoscopy – What Can You Eat?

As anyone who has undergone a colonoscopy can attest to, preparing for the procedure can be challenging in many ways. One of the primary concerns most people have is what kind of food they are allowed to eat leading up to the procedure. Since the scope needs to have a clear visibility of the colon, a light, low-fiber, and low-residue diet is recommended. Here are some meal ideas before colonoscopy that can help.

Breakfast:
It’s a good idea to start the day with something light such as tea or coffee (without milk) and clear liquids like apple juice, cranberry juice, or sports drinks. If you want to eat something solid, consider a bowl of warm oatmeal cooked in water or a scrambled egg with no cheese or added toppings.

Lunch:
Stick to bland foods during the day, without any seasoning or spices. Good options include white bread or crackers, plain chicken broth or canned chicken noodle soup, or a roasted turkey sandwich with white meat, cheese, and no added veggies. Avoid sandwich condiments like mayo and mustard since they contain seeds. You can also have tomato soup or vegetable soups that do not have chunks of vegetables in them.

Snacks:
Fruit juices, herbal tea, strained fruit jelly, ice pops, and ginger ale are some popular beverage options to consider. Non-seeded jelly, low-fat popsicles or ice cream, fruit smoothies, and applesauce are healthy snacks options. It’s important to avoid fruits and vegetables, nuts, and seeds in your snacks.

Dinner:
For dinner, you might try the same plain chicken broth or canned chicken noodle soup as lunch. Alternatively, a well-cooked, skinless chicken breast or fish along with plain white rice or cooked vegetables. Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes are also good options.

The key to a successful colonoscopy is to clear out your colon and have no food left behind – your doctor will provide instructions for a liquid diet or nothing at all 12 hours before the procedure. Following these meal ideas before colonoscopy, along with other preparation instructions, can make it easier to follow the guidelines without feeling deprived. Bon appetit.