
"It is worth discussing, though," said Levin, who allows diabetic patients and some others to consider a low-fiber diet.Īs for himself, Levin said he'd probably try a clear-liquid diet first, to maximize the chances of a "well-prepped colon," but "the low-residue diet is worth looking into. Levin, the gastroenterologist, said the study is useful, but patients should talk to their physician before changing their colonoscopy prep. The study was small, but Samarasena said other research has produced similar results. Clear-Liquid Diet for Colonoscopy Preparation One day before and the day of your colonoscopy, you will be on a clear-liquid diet. "You've started the colon-emptying process with the food that you've been eating." Things that liquefy quickly will get washed out easily."īy contrast, he said, high-fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and grains are often undigested when they make their way to the colon, and they can interfere with the examination of the colon.īut why would those who ate food actually have clearer bowels? Eating "probably stimulates more bowel movements the day before the procedure," Samarasena said.

"It's specifically the type of food that you'll have on the day before. Samarasena said the low-fiber food - also known as "low-residue" food - clears out of the colon because it easily liquefies in the digestive system. Also, 97 percent of those in the low-fiber group said they were satisfied with their diet compared to just 46 percent of those in the clear-liquid group. And, those in the low-fiber group were less tired on the morning of the procedure. The researchers found that more of the patients on the low-fiber diet were adequately prepared for a colonoscopy than those who took clear liquids only. The patients ate about 1,000 to 1,500 calories from a combination of fat, protein and carbohydrates. Solid foods are not allowed on a clear liquid diet. In the new study, researchers assigned 83 patients to undergo a colonoscopy after a day on a clear-liquid diet or a day in which they were allowed to eat a small number of low-fiber foods like macaroni and cheese, yogurt, white bread, lunch meats and ice cream. products, Milk, cream, soy milk equivalent, artificial creamer, juices containing pulp like orange. Six diet tips for cancer prevention 7 photos Red liquids can be mistaken for blood in thecolon or can obscure mucosal details and should beavoided. The concept is to allow patients to eat foods that aren't likely to stick around in the bowel and disrupt a physician's examination of the intestines. Bowel preparation regimens typically incorporate die-tary modications along with oral cathartics.20Mostcommonly, a clear liquid diet is advised for the day beforecolonoscopy. Theodore Levin, chief of gastroenterology with Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Walnut Creek, Calif.Įnter the idea of a low-fiber diet.

Consume a clear liquid diet the day before the. "Things that are hard or fibrous like seeds can clog the scope," explained Dr. Here are the steps you need to take to prepare for a colonoscopy: Three days before the procedure, cut down on your consumption of high-fiber foods. The clear liquid is designed to keep the colon clear during a colonoscopy.
