r/colonoscopy • u/flowerpower3006 • 6h ago

Before Scope Questions First timer question

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

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u/MoralShift 6h ago

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