Colon cancer, the third-most-common cancer in the United States and the second-most-common cause of cancer death in the United States, affects over 100,000 people each year, the American Cancer Society stated in 2010. Colonoscopy examines the large intestine with a lighted scope to look for polyps, small fleshy growths that can turn cancerous, or other abnormalities. It's easiest to visualize the colon if all residue and stool is removed before the procedure. While drugs that help empty the colon are given the day before the procedure, avoiding certain foods several days before and the day of the colonoscopy also helps empty the colon and improves visualization.
Roughage
To decrease the amount of residue from food in the bowel before a colonoscopy, many health care centers tell you to avoid foods that contain high amounts of fiber and roughage and substitute low-residue foods for several days before your colonoscopy. High-roughage foods include corn, including popcorn, fruit with the skin still on or seeds, nuts, salads, vegetable and whole-grain breads and cereals. Also avoid brown rice and dried fruits, including raisins. Examples of low-residue foods include chicken, fish or meats without skin, dairy products, white bread and pasta. You can have cooked soft vegetables or soft fruits such as bananas, soft melon such as honeydew or cantaloupe or applesauce.
Solid Foods
Starting the day before the colonoscopy, most physicians instruct you to stop eating any solid foods at all. Allowed foods generally include water, soda, juices, bouillon, broth, coffee, jello and clear popsicles. Milk products, cream or creamed soups, even though they don't contain solid particles, should not be eaten. Drink only clear juices without pulp.
Foods with Dye
Foods such as jello or popsicles that contain red, orange, blue or purple dye should not be eaten. Dye can stain parts of the colon red, which can look like blood in the colon, the Mayo Clinic says.
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