Colonoscopy diet: what to eat and what to avoid (with menu)

The colonoscopy diet should start 3 days before the exam and should be light, prioritizing foods such as white rice, mashed potatoes, shredded cooked chicken or soups. This diet reduces the amount of fiber ingested, reducing the volume of feces.

The objective of this diet is to reduce food waste, cleaning the intestine, so that, during the examination, it is possible to clearly observe the intestinal walls and identify possible changes.

During preparation for colonoscopy, the doctor also recommends the use of laxatives that also help cleanse the intestine. Learn more about how colonoscopy is done.

What to eat before colonoscopy

The colonoscopy diet must be started 3 days before the exam and is divided into 2 phases:

1. Semi-liquid diet

The semi-liquid diet must be taken 3 and 2 days before the exam and must be easy to digest. The foods that should be prioritized at this stage are:

• Fruits without skin and seeds, and cookedsuch as apples, pears and bananas;
• Peeled and cooked vegetables, such as carrots, chayote, potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, yams and sweet potatoes;
• Non-whole grains, such as white rice, white bread and white pasta;
• Skin-free and fat-free proteinsincluding chicken and fish, which must be ground or shredded to facilitate digestion.

In addition, you can consume teas, coffee and coconut water, and it is recommended to drink plenty of water.

2. Liquid diet

The day before the colonoscopy, you should follow a liquid diet, including fat-free soups or broths, which can be made with vegetables and proteins, but must be strained, as solid foods cannot be ingested.

You can also consume light-colored strained juices, light-colored gelatins, water, coconut water and light teas, such as chamomile, anise or lemon balm.

Foods that should be avoided

Foods that should be avoided in the 3 days before colonoscopy are:

• Red meat and sausagessuch as beef, pork, sausage and sausage;
• Herbs and leafy vegetables such as lettuce, parsley, coriander, basil, kale and arugula;
• Raw fruits and vegetables with skin and seeds;
• Dairy, such as milk, yogurt, butter and cheeses;
• Legumes, such as beans, soybeans, chickpeas, lentils and peas;
• Seeds such as linseed, chia and sesame;
• Whole grainssuch as brown rice, oats, corn and whole grain bread;
• Oilseeds such as peanuts, walnuts and chestnuts;
• Fatty foods, such as lasagna, pizza, feijoada, sausage and fried foods;
• Alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, sparkling wine and vodka.

In addition to this list, you should also avoid papaya, passion fruit, orange, tangerine or melon, as they are fruits rich in fiber that favor the formation of feces.

Colonoscopy preparation menu

The following menu is an example of a 3-day colonoscopy diet:

It is important to remember that, on the day of the exam, it is only allowed to drink water and light-colored teas up to 4 hours before the scheduled exam time.

What to eat after colonoscopy

After the exam, it is important to follow a light diet, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding very fatty foods.

The intestine takes around 3 to 5 days to start working again and it is common to experience abdominal discomfort and bloating in the belly. Therefore, you should avoid foods that cause gas within 24 hours after the exam, such as beans, lentils, peas, cabbage, broccoli, kale, eggs, sweets, soft drinks and seafood. See a complete list of foods that cause gas.