What can I eat or drink before colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy bowel prep is a two-step process that involves dietary restrictions and taking a bowel prep medication. In this video, Dr. Echavarria and Dr. Gelrud discuss the dietary restrictions that are required before a colonoscopy. Three days before your colonoscopy, you will need to begin a low residue diet of foods that are very low in fiber and easy to digest (e.g., white bread, rice and pasta, plain crackers, canned fruit, lean meats without skin, and eggs). Do not eat seeds, green vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and do not have dairy, or certain juices like prune juice. One day before ‒ and the day of ‒ your colonoscopy you will need to limit your diet to clear liquids only (e.g. clear broth, black tea or coffee, clear, light-colored juices, clear soft-drinks, clear sports drinks, plain gelatin without fruit, pulp-free juice bars, and water). Do not drink alcohol, liquids you can’t see through, dairy products, or red or purple liquids (these colors may be confused for blood during the colonoscopy). On the day of your colonoscopy, do not drink anything two hours before your procedure.

[mimisilva]

Im going to have my colonoscopy and endoscopy tomorrow 😬 I’m so hungry I want wing stop after

[lisac]

Sipping on this chicken broth. It's so freaking good because I'm so freaking hungry 😂. All the food smells in the house is like torture.

[shawn]

For anyone who's been through this, how did you go 24 hours without eating!!?? Idk if i can go through it...i was so jittery just from not watching for 7hrs today.

[dedompler]

Going in for mine tomorrow morning. Listen -

Call the number on your prep sheet and ask if it's ok (given your circumstances) to take fewer Dulcolax tablets.
Most everyone I've asked mentioned ~8/10 or extreme stomach cramping after taking 4 Dulcolax tabs (20mg Bisacodyl)

When I asked, the nurse told me it was perfectly fine to take 3 or even 2 of these tablets, provided I've been diligent with the rest of the prep requirements.

As long as you get the OK from someone in your gastro dept to do this, please save yourself some of the struggle and be sure to drink a lot of water even prior to chugging the 4L of prep solution.

Best of luck y'all!

[cmance]

Accidentally had a poppyseed muffin yesterday

[romainerichards]

It's the prep to me that was hard and the trip too the loo . Im off again

[mattv]

Now is the time Sprockets when we poop.

[sangeerthanathan]

there is nothing to available to eat as he explained except chicken stock soup.

[MelliaBoomBot]

Ah interesting..Ive a colonoscopy on Wednesday. Ive already started my low fibre diet/diet without residue as they call here in France. In the UK you get up to two days before you have to do the low fibre diet. Here in France it is four days. Neither NHS stuff from the UK or here in France mention a clear diet 2 or 1 days before. The only time Ive come across having to go on a liquid diet is in the first week of Diverticulitis flare ups..this helps the colon be calmer. I will read a bit more..Im quite ok to do some more liquid nearer the time.. but the line you go for when it is good is that what is coming out looks like what is going in. He also says no dairy..again my NHS guidelines say that milk is ok..(and rice krispies!) good luck folks.

[KurruptLyfe]

He says people on that low fiber diet will have less bowel movements, but I thought you were supposed to empty out your system of foods, which would mean MORE bowel movements.

[timmcgrath]

Unless you’re diabetic, if you can’t go one day without eating you have a serious problem.

[charleshines]

I guess rice is OK. Just try don't eat anything once you started that prep they prescribe? Considering what it is like to prepare for this with all of that and getting someone to set aside a day to bring you back home it can be hard to plan for. Then you gotta make sure it is someone who can sign for you. It would be nice if they could just let you stay the night and go at or after noon the next day

[rsstnnr]

I was supposed to have a colonoscopy yesterday. The doctor actually started the procedure. I had gone through the full prep procedure. I followed the instructions exactly. However, there was a blockage. He said I wasn't ready. I just finished another day of prep and my poop is still not clear. I haven't eaten for over 48 hours, I've had 8 liters of prep fluid, a couple gallons of water and at least a gallon of grape juice. My stool is still not clear and my guts are killing me. I don't know what's wrong. How often does that happen? Are some people not able to prep for a colonoscopy?

[brent]

these are too darn vague  what are the products  you name every medicine   yet your vague here?

[aminurrahman]

Am I allowed to drink saline cause I have to go to washroom too frequently and my body is becoming weak that's why is it allowed?

[laoluu]

What about a beer? If it's not too cloudy like weissbier or too dark like stout?

[beedee]

This is bull shit no food from midnight to next day at 1pm my app. this sucks i shake without food this is bull shit i might cancel

[jimmygentile]

Sometimes I cant help feeling like the medical proffession is a racket. Maybe not. Good health is important, but it should not be based on the size of your wallet.