The colonoscopy prep diet should start 3 days before the procedure. It should be light and prioritize foods such as white rice, mashed potatoes, shredded cooked chicken or soups. This diet is low in fiber, which reduces the volume of stool.

The objective of this diet is to reduce food waste, and cleanse the gut, so that the intestines are clear during inspection and intestinal wall changes can be observed.

To prep for a colonoscopy, the doctor also prescribes laxative solutions to help clean out the intestines.

What to eat

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

1. Semi-liquid diet

The semi-liquid diet should be adhered to on the third and second day prior to the exam. The types of food prioritized at this stage are:

Fruit without its peel or seeds, preferable cooked. Examples include 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;
Skinless, fat-free proteins, including chicken and fish, which should be ground or shredded to facilitate digestion.

In addition, you can consume teas, coffee and coconut water. You are advised to drink plenty of water.

2. Liquid diet

The day before the colonoscopy, you should adhere to a liquid diet made up of fat-free soups or broths. These can be made with vegetables and proteins, but should be strained, as solid foods should not be ingested.

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

Foods to avoid

Foods that should be avoided 3 days before a colonoscopy include:

Red meat and sausages
Herbs and leafy greens such as lettuce, parsley, coriander, basil, kale and arugula
Raw fruits and vegetables with skin and seeds
Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, butter and cheese
Legumes, such as beans, soybeans, chickpeas, lentils and peas
Seeds such as linseed, chia seeds and sesame seeds
Whole grains, such as brown rice, oats, corn and whole grain bread
Oilseeds such as peanuts, walnuts and chestnuts
Fatty foods, such as lasagna, pizza, chili, and fried foods
Alcohol, 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 that rich in fiber, which add bulk to the stool.

Meal plan

The following table outlines a sample 3-day meal plan or a colonoscopy prep diet:

Meal	3 days before colonoscopy	2 days before colonoscopy	1 day before colonoscopy
Breakfast	1 cup of strain fruit juice + 1/2 a white bun	1 cup of chamomile tea + 4 pieces of white toast with jelly	1 cup of strained pair juice + 4 cracker
Snack	1 cooked apple	1 cooked pear	1 cup of coconut water
Lunch	Pulled grilled chicken breast with mashed potatoes + 4 tablespoons of carrots with boiled green beans	1 boiled fish fillet, mixed with white rice + 3 tablespoons of strewed peeled eggplant and sqash	1 serving of creamed soup made with potatoes, chayote and chicken or fish broth
Snack	1 serving of pineapple jello	1 cup of lemongrass tea + 4 crackers	1 serving of passionfruit jello
Dinner	1 serving of white pasta with carrots, peeled tomatoes and chicken	1 serving of peeled vegetables: squash, carrots, chayote, pumpkin and potato	1 serving of creamed soup made with sweet potato, chayote, carrots and chicken broth

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

What to eat after a colonoscopy

After the exam, it is important to maintain a light diet, to drink plenty of fluids and to avoid high-fat foods.

The gut takes around 3 to 5 days to start working normally again. It is common to experience abdominal discomfort and bloating in the belly during this time. Therefore, you should avoid foods that cause gas within 24 of the exam, such as beans, lentils, peas, cabbage, broccoli, kale, eggs, sweets, soft drinks and seafood. Checkout a complete list of foods that can cause gas.