Low Fiber Diet for Colonoscopy Prep
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross B...
Key Takeaways
- Three to five days before a colonoscopy, you may want to eat low fiber foods to make the preparation easier,
- Try eating eggs and chicken, cooked vegetables like carrots and potatoes and fruit like bananas and applesauce.
- Avoid beans, nuts, whole grains and cruciferous vegetables, as well as red or purple liquids.
The preparation for a colonoscopy isn’t exactly fun.
But eating low fiber foods in the days prior to the procedure can make it a little easier. Here are some tips on what foods to eat and what foods to avoid before your colonoscopy, as well as how to reintroduce fiber to your diet after the procedure.
Low fiber foods to eat before your colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a screening to search for cancer or polyps in the colon that could become cancerous. These screenings typically start at age 45. The physician conducting the screening uses a thin, flexible tube in the rectum and colon. This requires preparation to ensure the colon is empty prior to the screening. Prior to your colonoscopy, your primary care provider (PCP) will provide instructions and prep medicines.
Three to five days out, you may want to eat low fiber foods, which will move through your gastrointestinal system more quickly than high fiber foods and make the preparation easier, according to Harvard Health. But low fiber foods don’t have to mean unhealthy foods. Continuing to eat fruits, vegetables and proteins provides key nutrients for your overall health and well-being.
Here is a list of some foods to eat before your colonoscopy.
Protein:
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Fish
- Poultry
Cooked vegetables:
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Potatoes
- Zucchini
- Squash
Fruits:
- Applesauce
- Bananas
- Peaches
- Pears
Grains:
- White bread
- Sourdough bread
- White rice
The day before the colonoscopy, stick to clear liquids such as:
- Water
- Black coffee
- Plain tea
- Broth or bullion
- Light juice such as apple or white grape
Don’t drink liquids that are blue, purple or red, which will interfere with the screening.
In the late afternoon, you will take laxative solutions or pills as prescribed by your doctor. Drink plenty of water and keep water or a clear electrolytes drink with you everywhere you go, according to the American Cancer Society.
High fiber foods to avoid before your colonoscopy
It’s important to know what foods to limit and avoid in the days prior to the procedure. Here are some common high fiber foods to avoid in the few days before your colonoscopy:
- Legumes
- Whole grains, including popcorn
- Nuts
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
Foods to eat after your colonoscopy
After your procedure, it can help to ease back into eating high fiber foods. Some people may be fine, but others may want to gradually increase the amount of high fiber fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains to reduce the chance of bloating, gas and other types of gastrointestinal discomfort.
Start back with some of the low fiber foods listed above, continue to drink plenty of water and gradually add high fiber foods back into your diet in the days following the colonoscopy. This could look like a serving of broccoli with dinner, a handful of nuts as a snack or a slice of avocado toast for breakfast.
Talk to your doctor for more guidance on how and when to reintroduce fiber after your colonoscopy.
The procedure and temporary diet can be a good opportunity to look at your regular fiber intake. A high-fiber diet can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, support a healthy gut microbiome, lower bad cholesterol and keep blood sugar levels stable.
More than 90% of Americans don’t get enough fiber in their diets, according to the American Society of Nutrition. The guidelines recommend 25 grams of fiber per day for women and 38 grams of fiber per day for men.
Image: Getty Images
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