Foods To Avoid When Prepping For A Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy examines your large intestine for abnormalities, such as polyps, infections or colon cancer. This test is routinely performed by a physician to examine the colon without residue such as stool, which is excreted before the procedure. While you are typically given doctor-prescribed laxatives the day before the procedure, you should take care in avoiding certain foods to improve visualization and empty the colon.

Roughage

Before a colonoscopy you should decrease residue in your bowels to clear the colon and allow the physician to capture quality video and pictures during the procedure, according to MayoClinic.com. Avoid foods that contain roughage or fiber, as these foods have the potential to linger in your intestine longer and obstruct the doctor's view. High-roughage foods include corn, fruit with skin, nuts, seeds, vegetables, salads, whole-grain cereals or breads, dried fruits and brown rice. Examples of healthy low-residue food include white pasta and bread, meats or fish without skin and chicken. You can also have soft fruits, such as honeydew, applesauce or cantaloupe or cooked soft vegetables.

Solid Foods

Most medical professional will instruct you to stop consuming solid food sources before the colonoscopy procedure. Solid foods are defined as those that require a fair amount of chewing before swallowing. The University of Virginia Health System recommends consuming foods such as soda, juices, bouillon, coffee, broth, water, clear Popsicles and Jello. Drink only clear juices without pulp. Creamed soups, milk products and cream should not be consumed, even though they contain no solid particles.

Foods with Dye

Foods such as Popsicles or Jello that contain blue, orange, red or purple dye should not be eaten. According to MayoClinic.com, dye can occasionally tan parts of your colon, which doctors may mistake for blood inside your colon. Because a colonoscopy routinely collects tissue to later examine for abnormalities, keeping your colon free of dye reside and food can provide you with an accurate health assessment.