Five days before a colonoscopy, people usually need to move to low-fiber foods, such as white bread and eggs. For the last 1–3 days, they may only be consuming clear liquids and laxatives. A doctor can give more precise guidance on how to prepare.
A colonoscopy is a procedure that examines the colon. During a colonoscopy, a doctor uses a colonoscope, which is a narrow, flexible tool with a small light and camera at the end.
A doctor inserts the colonoscope into the rectum to provide images of the inside of the colon.
Doctors can also use a colonoscopy to help treat certain conditions, such as removing a polyp or controlling bleeding. A colonoscopy is an effective screening tool for colon cancer.
For doctors to examine the colon properly, it must be clean and clear of feces. Following a certain diet in the days leading up to a colonoscopy can help clear the bowels and allow for an effective procedure.
Several days before a colonoscopy, people will need to eat a diet low in fiber. Foods that are low in fiber are easier to digest, which will clear more quickly from the digestive tract and support colon cleansing.
People will need to avoid foods high in fiber, such as:
- nuts
- legumes
- seeds
- wholegrains
- the skin of fruits and vegetables
Instead, people can opt for white foods, such as white bread, pasta, and rice. People can also eat fruit without skin and canned or well-cooked vegetables without their skin.
The day before a colonoscopy, people will need to stop eating solid foods and only consume clear liquids to clear the digestive tract. People will also take a laxative to completely empty the colon.
The following table shows foods people can eat and avoid 5 days before a colonoscopy or as a doctor instructs.
| Foods to eat | Foods to avoid |
|---|---|
| white bread | seeds or nuts |
| white pasta and noodles | popcorn |
| white rice | raw vegetables with skin or seeds |
| potatoes without the skin | broccoli, cabbage, dried beans, corn, or peas |
| vegetables from a can, or well-cooked vegetables without their skin or seeds | fruit with skin on |
| fruit from a can, or fruit without skin | wholegrain bread, pasta, or noodles |
| tender-cooked meat, chicken, or fish | brown or wild rice |
| jello, but without purple, red, or blue food dyes | cereals such as shredded wheat, oatmeal, or granola |
| broth | fatty foods |
| eggs | tough meat containing gristle |
People will need to ask a doctor about any medications or supplements they are taking and whether they will need to stop taking these in the lead-up to a colonoscopy.
People may need to stop eating solid foods
- water
- fat-free broth or bouillon
- coffee or tea, with no milk or creamers
- sports or electrolyte drinks
- clear apple juice or white grape juice
People will need to avoid any liquids containing red, purple, or blue dyes or food colorings, as these can discolor the colon and make it harder to examine.
People will also need to avoid:
- dairy products, including milk, smoothies, or shakes
- orange, grapefruit, or prune juice, and any red or purple juices
- any liquids that people are unable to see through
People will also need to take a laxative the evening before a colonoscopy. This causes diarrhea which clears out the colon in preparation for the examination.
Laxative options may include:
- polyethylene glycol (PEG), which people may take half of the evening before a colonoscopy, and the remainder 5 hours beforehand
- a pill, such as Dulcolax or Sutab
- other solutions, such as MoviPrep or Clenpiq, which may suit people who do not want to drink large quantities of liquid
- a phosphate solution, which people may split between the day before and the day of the colonoscopy
If people have any heart, kidney, or liver conditions, they will need to discuss suitable laxative options with a doctor.
Many laxatives will require people to drink around 2 liters of water to compensate for the loss of fluids with diarrhea.
In the 2 days before a colonoscopy, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance advises people to drink 8 ounces of water every waking hour to stay well-hydrated.
On the day of the colonoscopy, people will need to continue to avoid all solid foods and stick to the clear liquid diet until a few hours before the colonoscopy.
A doctor will provide instructions on how long people will need to stop drinking liquids before the procedure.
People will also need to avoid:
- smoking
- chewing gum
- alcohol or drugs
- driving a car
On the day of the colonoscopy, any stools that are clear or yellow liquid indicate that people are ready for the procedure.
People may find the following tips helpful in preparing for a colonoscopy:
- scheduling time off or arranging for help with responsibilities so a person can be at home for their prep day
- reducing meat intake in the few days before a colonoscopy to make proper emptying of the bowels easier
- having easy access to a toilet for prep day, as liquid laxatives can cause forceful diarrhea and the urgent need to use the toilet
- positioning themselves close to a toilet and keeping books, magazines, or a device with internet access to hand to occupy themselves
- using moistened wipes instead of toilet paper, which may feel more comfortable
- placing any moistened wipes in a bin afterward rather than flushing
- using a soothing lotion before and during prep, which may also prevent soreness from frequent bowel movements
- adding a flavoring to help make unpleasant-tasting laxatives taste better, such as ginger or lime
- drinking through a straw and placing it at the back of the mouth to make it easier to swallow
- keeping the laxative cold to improve the taste
- sucking on a lemon or hard candy to remove the aftertaste
- wearing loose, comfortable clothing
- taking spare clothes or wearing adult diapers to ease discomfort when traveling, if diarrhea continues to the day of the colonoscopy
- making sure people have a lift to and from the colonoscopy so they can avoid driving
A colonoscopy can help doctors diagnose or evaluate certain conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as:
- colon polyps
- colon cancer
- diverticulosis
- unusual bleeding
- inflammatory bowel disease
- unusual change in bowel habits
- abdominal pain
- obstruction
- unusual results from X-rays or CT scans
Some FAQs about what to eat before a colonoscopy to help with preparation may include:
What are the best foods to eat days before a colonoscopy?
Several days before a colonoscopy, it is advisable to start consuming foods lower in fiber. This is to ensure a person can digest and pass these foods. This may include white bread, pasta, and rice. A few days before a colonoscopy, a doctor may recommend a clear liquid diet. This can include water, fat-free broth, black tea and coffee, sports drinks, and clear apple juice.
What should I eat 24 hours before a colonoscopy?
A doctor will be able to provide guidance for what a person should consume 24 hours before a colonoscopy. For example, a doctor may recommend a clear liquid diet. This can include water, fat-free broth, black tea and coffee, sports drinks, and clear apple juice.
What should you avoid 3 days before colonoscopy?
A few days before a colonoscopy, it is advisable to avoid foods high in fiber. Examples of high fiber foods include nuts, legumes, seeds, wholegrains, and the skin of fruits and vegetables. Nearer the time of the colonoscopy, a doctor may recommend avoiding solid foods.
Three days before a colonoscopy, a doctor will advise that a person avoids any liquids containing red, purple, or blue dyes or food colorings. They may also recommend avoiding dairy products, certain fruit juices, and liquids that are not clear.
A colonoscopy is an effective screening tool to detect precancerous or cancerous changes in the colon. It can also help diagnose or treat conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and diverticulosis.
In the days leading up to a colonoscopy, people need to eat a low fiber diet to help the digestive tract empty more easily.
The day before a colonoscopy, people must avoid all solid foods and only drink clear liquids. People will also need to take a laxative before a colonoscopy to fully empty the colon.
People will continue a clear liquid diet on the day of the colonoscopy until a doctor instructs them to stop all liquids, which may be a few hours before the procedure.