Diet Before Colonoscopy

Want to know what the diet is like before a colonoscopy and how to prepare for this study?

Colonoscopy, or colonic endoscopy, is a study designed to diagnose and treat various diseases of the colon. The examination is performed using a device called a colonoscope, which is a flexible tube with a small camera (about 150 cm long and 1 cm in diameter). This device is gently inserted through the anus into the colon. Here’s how:

• See inside the gut and rule out diseases.
• Develop a treatment for the disease.
• Performs diagnostic tests.
• Removes intestinal polyps.
• Take test pieces.
• Eliminates tumors.

In order for this test to be done, the colon must be completely empty of feces. For this reason, the study is prepared by following a special diet at least three days before and using bowel medications.

Easily digestible diet before colonoscopy

An easily digestible and low-flavored diet is one that is used to eliminate problems with the digestive tract and colon cancer, including:

• Diarrhea
• Ulcers
• Gastritis
• Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing
• Surgery of the jaw, mouth or digestive tract

This type of diet is also followed before colonoscopy and is an excellent way to prepare for this examination as it easily cleanses the bowel.

Diet before colonoscopy

The diet before colonoscopy is as follows:

• Do not ingest lactose.
• Stop drinking cocoa completely.
• Do not eat vegetables and seeds.
• Avoid iron supplements.
• Avoid all dark, carbonated and colored beverages.
• Do not eat whole grain products (dark rice, dark pasta, etc.).
• Do not eat tree nuts, berries or seeds.

3-day diet before colonoscopy

The first day

Do not start the diet change too drastically so that it does not adversely affect the intestines:

• Breakfast. Omelette made of egg whites and mushrooms, mint tea sweetened with honey.
• Snack. Pear jelly.
• Lunch. Chicken soup; apple puree with pear and lemon water.

• Snack. Unflavoured jelly.
• Supper. Double the dose of unflavoured jelly.

Second day

On the second day, foods are eaten that help remove feces and cleanse the body well.

• Breakfast. Egg whites and 2 pieces of lean ham; white bread and a cup of lime blossom tea with honey.
• Snack. Lemon water or fruit juice.
• Lunch. Chicken breast soup with white rice seasoned with salt.
• Snack. Tea or chamomile stew.
• Supper. Fried cauliflower with palm kernels.

Third day

The third day’s diet cleanses the bowel properly for colonoscopy.

• Breakfast. Hard-boiled egg and white bread, oatmeal without milk.
• Snack. Pear jelly.
• Lunch. Light pasta and vegetables, lemon water.
• Snack. Orange juice without fruit flesh.
• Supper. Fried hake with asparagus and a slice of white bread.

On the day of the study

When research day comes, it is important to keep in mind and follow these guidelines:

1. Do not drink fluids for 3-4 hours before colonoscopy. The only exception is fluid ingested with any medications prescribed by your doctor.
2. Tell your doctor about your diet before the examination and about any illnesses, allergies, or side effects caused by medications.
3. It is also important to tell your doctor about any previous surgeries, especially if you have a prosthesis or heart valve disease.
4. Someone should take you in and out of the study, as the effect of any painkillers and sedatives can take hours.

After colonoscopy

After a colonoscopy, it is recommended to continue the easily digestible diet for at least another three days to make it easier for the body to remove air and feces from the gut. This way, the procedure does not adversely affect the digestive system.