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Clear-liquid diet for colonoscopy preparation

One day before your colonoscopy, you will be on a clear-liquid diet. (You may not eat any solid food until after your colonoscopy). The following are examples of drinks you can include and what to avoid.

YES - OK TO DRINK:

Water
Tea and black coffee without any milk, cream or lightener
Flavored water (no red or purple dye)
Clear, light color juices such as: apple, white grape, white cranberry or no pulp lemonade
Clear broth including chicken, beef or vegetable (no noodles, etc)
Soda
Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Propel (no red or purple dye)
Popsicles without fruit or cream (no red or purple dye)
Jell-O or other gelatin without fruit (no red or purple dye)

NO - DO NOT DRINK:

Alcoholic beverages
Milk/Cream
Smoothies
Milkshakes
Tomato juice
Orange juice
Grapefruit juice
Cooked cereal
Anything with red or purple dye

Low Fiber Diet for Colonoscopy Prep

Your bowel needs to be as clean as possible to get the most from your colonoscopy. You will follow a bowel prep routine the day before your procedure. Eating only low-fiber foods the week before your colonoscopy makes your bowel prep easier by limiting the amount of undigested food that must pass through your digestive system.

What are Low-Fiber Foods?
Fiber is the part of foods such as fruits, vegetables and grains that is not digested. If it remains in your bowel, it can mask areas that your doctor needs to see. Follow these general guidelines the week before your colonoscopy:

Avoid nuts, seeds, dried fruits, dried beans and peas.
Avoid whole grains and cereals.
Choose cooked or canned fruits and vegetables over fresh ones.
Choose white bread, white rice and products made with refined flour.
Drink juices without pulp.
Eat tender, well-cooked meats

Foods that are OK to eat:

Milk and milk products:

Buttermilk
Custard
Evaporated or powdered milk
Low-fat cheeses
Low-fat ice cream
Skim or low-fat milk
Sherbet
Smooth nonfat or low-fat yogurt without seeds, berries, rinds or nuts

Vegetables:

Any well-cooked vegetables without seeds (e.g., carrots, asparagus tips, green or wax beans, pumpkin, spinach, lima beans)
Lettuce
Potatoes without skin
Strained vegetable juice

Meats and other protein foods:

Eggs
Smooth nut butters (such as creamy peanut butter)
Tofu
Tender, well-cooked meat, poultry and fish

Grains:

Bread, bagels, rolls, crackers, pasta and cereals made from white or refined flour (e.g., crispy rice cereal and cornflakes)
Cooked cereals (farina and creamy rice)
White rice

Fruits:

Fruit juice without pulp (except prune juice)
Most canned, soft and pureed fruit without skin (except pineapple)
Peeled apple
Ripe banana or melons

Condiments:

Ketchup and mustard
Margarine, butter, oils, mayonnaise, sour cream and salad dressing
Plain gravies
Spices, cooked herbs, bouillon, broth, and soups made with allowed vegetables
Sugar, clear jelly, honey and syrup

Avoid these foods:

Milk and milk products:

Yogurt with seeds, berries, rinds or nuts

Vegetables:

Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage and sauerkraut
Cauliflower
Corn
Fried vegetables
Greens (mustard, turnip, collards)
Mushrooms
Okra
Onions
Peppers
Potato skins
Raw vegetables, except lettuce
Winter squash

Meats and other protein foods:

Chunky nut butters
Dried, canned or frozen legumes (such as beans, peas and lentils)
Nuts or seeds
Tough or chewy cuts of meat

Grains:

Brown rice and wild rice
Cereals made from whole grains
Grain products made with seeds or nuts
Whole-wheat or whole-grain breads, rolls, crackers or pasta

Fruits:

All raw fruits except peeled apple, ripe bananas and melon
Canned berries, canned cherries
Dried fruits, including raisins
Prunes and prune juice

Snacks/Sweets/Condiments:

All desserts containing nuts, seeds, dried fruit or coconut or made from whole grain or bran
Candy made with nuts or seeds
Jam, marmalade, preserves
Pickles, olives, relish, horseradish
Popcorn