Low Fiber Diet for Colonoscopy: Foods to Eat Prior to Procedure

If you're wondering what is a low fiber diet for colonoscopy, you have come to the right place. Preparing the digestive system for a colonoscopy is a crucial step to take before the procedure.

A pamphlet or instruction sheet with detailed instructions on how to get ready for colonoscopy is provided by the doctor. A sample diet plan for the days before your procedure may be included in these instructions. However, if you still need help and guidance, you can go through this article to understand what kind of low fiber diet for colonoscopy you should have before the procedure.

What is Colonoscopy?

Milk can be included in low fiber diet for colonoscopy. (Image via Unsplash/Anita Jankovic)

Colon cancer can be effectively treated if caught at an early stage, and a colonoscopy is the best way to do so. The test is generally done to detect and remove precancerous polyps in the colon.

To get the most out of your colonoscopy, you should have a clean colon. You will have to empty your bowels in preparation for the procedure the day before. For the five days leading up to your colonoscopy, if you stick to a low fiber diet for colonoscopy, you will reduce the amount of undigested food that must be passed through your digestive system, making bowel preparation easier.

Why is Low Fiber Diet For Colonoscopy Needed?

You can include dairy yogurt free of fruits, nuts and seeds (Image via Unsplash/Sara Cervera)

To decrease the amount of fiber in the colon just before the procedure, many doctors recommend a low fiber diet for colonoscopy. For a more comfortable bowel cleanse experience and clearer visualization of the colon, it's essential that patients consume low-fiber foods before the procedure.

Indigestible fibers found in high-fiber foods contribute to the formation of faeces. As low-fiber foods have fewer dietary fibers that the body cannot break down, they are more quickly absorbed.

Intestinal rest is achieved through a diet low in fibers, which is helpful before a colonoscopy. Consuming foods that are gentle on the digestive system may also make the bowel cleanse easier.

Read here about what is a low residue diet.

Low Fiber Diet For Colonoscopy: What Can you Eat

White bread is a great low fiber option before colonoscopy. (Image via Unsplash/Charles Chen)

Follow this low fiber diet for colonoscopy for 3-4 days before a colonoscopy.

Juices without seeds or pulp
Refined grain products
Chicken, turkey, lamb, or lean pork
Fruit without seeds or skins
Fish and seafood
Well-cooked vegetables
Tofu
Creamy nut butters
Eggs

Foods that you should avoid 3-4 days before your colonoscopy are listed below.

Whole grains
Corn, tomatoes, onions
Raw vegetables
Cucumbers
Dried fruit
Coconut and popcorn
Brussel sprouts and cooked cabbage
Seeds
Lima beans
Granola
Tough meat with gristle
Nuts and crunchy nut butters
Dried beans or legumes

Fried or poached eggs are a great option for those on a low fiber diet (Image via Pexels/Megha Mangal)

For a more detailed low fiber diet for colonoscopy, check out the following table.

This diet is to be followed for days 3 and 2 before a colonoscopy.

RECOMMENDED FOODS	FOODS TO AVOID
Bread, Cereal, Rice, Pasta White breads, croissants, rolls, Melba toast Waffles, pancakes, French toast White rice, noodles, macaroni, peeled white potatoes Cooked cereal: rice, grit, cream of wheat Cold cereal: Puffed rice, rice krispies, special K and corn flakes	Bread, Cereal, Rice, Pasta Breads with nuts, seeds or fruit Whole wheat, rye bread, Pumpernickel bread, cornbread Brown or wild rice, buckwheat, potatoes with skin
Vegetables Tender, cooked vegetables without seeds like carrots, asparagus, green beans, lima beans, spinach, pumpkin	Vegetables Raw or steamed vegetables like peas, broccoli, winter squash, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, onion, baked beans, cauliflower, peas and corn, vegetables with seeds
Fruits Strained fruit juice (without pulp) Canned fruits (except pineapple) Ripe bananas and melons	Fruits Prunes and prune juice Raw or dry fruits Berries, figs, dates and raisins
Milk and Dairy Plain or flavored milk Yogurt, custard or ice cream Cheese and cottage cheese	Milk and Dairy Any dairy products with nuts or seeds in it
Meats and Protein Ground, well-cooked beef, ham, lamb, veal, pork, fish, poultry and organ meats; Eggs	Meats and Protein Tough, fibrous meat with gristle Dry beans, peas, lentils and other legumes Tofu
Snacks and Beverages Fats like margarine, butter, oils, salad dressing, sour cream, mayonnaise, ketchup or mustard Sugar, honey, syrup Coffee, tea, carbonated beverages Plain cakes and cookies	Snacks and Beverages Nuts, seeds, coconut Jam, marmalade and fruit preserves Pickles, olives, relish and horseradish Candy made with nuts and seeds Popcorn

The exact diet to be had a day before your colonoscopy will be given to you by your healthcare provider. Meanwhile, if you need some recipes for the low fiber diet for colonoscopy, we have provided a few of them below.

Low Fiber Diet for Colonoscopy: Easy Recipes to Prepare

Recipe 1: Breakfast: Ricotta Pancakes

Fish like salmon is a great option for those on a low fiber diet. (Image via Pexels/Robert Bogdan)

Ingredients:

1 cup white flour
1 cup ricotta cheese
3/4 cup milk
2 large eggs (separated)
½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. fine salt
1 ½ tbsp. sugar
½ tsp. vanilla extract
Butter, for cooking

Method:

If necessary, place ricotta in a strainer made of fine mesh to remove excess liquid. Ricotta that's both dry and compact does not require draining before use.
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a separate, very large bowl, combine the ricotta, milk, eggs, and vanilla.
When the ricotta mixture is almost completely smooth, add the dry ingredients, and stir till it just combines.
Prepare a pan for cooking by heating it over medium heat. Start by melting a bit of butter in the skillet (only enough to coat the surface).
To pour batter onto the hot pan, use a 1/3-cup measure. Pancakes are ready when the bottoms are golden and bubbles start to form in the batter. Pancakes should be cooked on both sides till it's golden (about 2-3 minutes each side).
Have ready ice cream, a ripe banana, and some maple syrup to go with those pancakes.

Recipe 2: Lunch/Dinner: Miso-Glazed Mahi Mahi

Ingredients:

2 mahi-mahi fillets (6 oz)
2 ½ tbsp yellow miso paste
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp. fresh ginger
½ tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp fresh lime juice

Method:

Combine brown sugar, miso paste, oil, oil, ginger, lime juice, and lime juice. Time out for an hour
Grill or broil until hot. Prepare a baking dish with the glaze, and place the fish on top. Broil the fish till the glaze caramelizes and turns golden brown. You can expect it to take no more than three minutes.
Take the fish off the grill/broiler, and brush it all over with the remaining glaze.
Turn the heat down to 375 degrees Celsius. Bake the fish in the baking dish on the lowest oven rack with the foil covering it. For optimal results, bake the fish till it's just cooked through and flaky (about five minutes).

You will need to keep a check on your diet for 4-5 days before your colonoscopy. Having a low fiber diet for colonoscopy will help you get the best bowel cleanse. Refer the aforementioned list if you want ideas on low fiber foods and recipes.

Check out these foods to include in a low residue diet.

Edited by Bhargav