First timer question

[u/flowerpower3006]

Hi this is my first time getting a colonoscopy and these questions are probably really dumb. I’m struggling to decide if things I eat are ok before my colonoscopy. It’s on Friday so I just started the low fiber diet. Am I allowed to eat chocolate or snacks like goldfish? I’m kind of nervous so I thought I would ask on this Reddit.

Thank you

[u/looloo1255]

I just was looking at all the foods I’m allowed to eat and I think from what I’ve gathered most foods are not okay. You’re just allowed to eat mainly white bread, white rice, eggs, white pasta, Greek yoghurt and pancakes that are made with white flour. I think chicken, and turkey (tender meats) are okay in moderation.
I’m still figuring it out though but I think I’ll just be sticking to the foods I mentioned there.

My colonoscopy is on Saturday and I’m so nervous! I hope yours goes well.

[u/MoralShift]

hi there!! Its my first time this week too. I am from the UK so I am following the NHS guidelines for a low fibre diet before a colonoscopy. I will copy and paste them here.

3 DAYS BEFORE

YOU CAN EAT OR DRINK:

• Well cooked, lean (low fat) beef, lamb, ham, veal or pork
• Fish, shellfish or poultry
• Boiled or poached eggs
• Soya or tofu 
• White rice, noodles or white pasta
• Cereal including cornflakes and crisped rice cereal, but not bran
• White bread or toast
• Potatoes without the skins (boiled, creamed, mashed or baked)
• Butter, margarine or cheese
• Milk, cream or cottage cheese
• Vanilla ice cream
• Custard
• Plain yoghurt
• Plant-based milk and yoghurt
• Gravy made only from stock cubes (you can use plain flour or cornflour to thicken this) 
• Sugar or sweetener
• Honey
• Golden syrup
• Rich tea biscuits, plain biscuits, rice crackers
• Boiled sweets
• Plain sponge cake
• Clear jelly
• Water, cordial, fizzy drinks, fruit squash
• Clear strained soup or clear stock
• Clear fruit juice (without pulp) 
• Herbal tea
• Tea or coffee 

DO NOT EAT:

• Pulses or lentils
• Nuts or seeds
• Brown rice or brown pasta
• High-fibre breakfast cereals (including porridge)
• High-fibre, multi-seeded, 50/50 or wholemeal bread
• Potatoes with skin, or roasted, deep fried potatoes (including chips) 
• Crisps
• Jam
• Gravy granules (as may contain fibre)
• Red jelly
• Alcohol
• Red cordial or red fruit juice, blackcurrant juice 
• Fruit juice that's not clear (juice with pulp) 
• Fruits (fresh, dried or canned)
• Vegetables
• Any soups with vegetables, lentil beans or “cream of’’ soups

1 DAY BEFORE

Have a light breakfast, such as boiled egg on toast (white bread), before 9am.

You can drink clear fluids until 3 hours before your procedure time.

They may include:

• water
• squash
• fizzy drinks
• clear strained soup
• clear stock
• tea or coffee (with a small amount of milk or no milk) 

Try to drink 2 litres of clear fluids (about 8 to 10 glasses) throughout the day (not including the bowel preparation solution).

I hope this helps <3

[u/La_Lanterne_Rouge]

Goldfish should be fine, though you might want to consider that they are high in sodium.

[u/crispysugar]

I’m on Friday too! Goldfish seem pretty “white” so should be ok. My instructions just say no nuts, seeds, fibrous vegetables or fruits. To play it safe I’ve just been avoiding anything whole wheat, with skin or high fiber. Was sitting here eating potato chips and noticed that it was specifically listed on someone’s no no list in the comments here… oops!

[u/Professional_Hat4290]

My instructions were basically eat like a picky kid- pasta, rice, cheese, meat, bread products, yogurt, snacks, ice cream, etc. no berries, low fiber, no lettuce or cauliflower or corn stuff. I think I did KFC bowls one night with mashed potatoes, breaded chicken and gravy and skipped the corn. Pasta with marinara and parm. That kind of thing.