A colonoscopy is a common medical procedure used to examine the inside of the large intestine (colon and rectum) and look for abnormalities. During a colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and guided through the entire colon. The colonoscope has a camera at the end which allows the doctor to view the inside of the colon on a video monitor.
Colonoscopies are performed for a variety of reasons, including as a screening test for colon cancer in people over age 50, to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms like chronic diarrhea or rectal bleeding, or to monitor conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. They are generally safe procedures, but carry a small risk of complications like bowel perforation.
Before a colonoscopy, patients follow a clear liquid diet and use strong laxatives or enemas to thoroughly cleanse the bowels of all solid matter. This bowel cleansing, along with sedation medication given through an IV during the procedure, can leave patients feeling tired, bloated and weak afterwards. Resuming eating and drinking after a colonoscopy requires some care and consideration.
Why is the first meal important?
The first meal after a colonoscopy is an important part of the recovery process. Since patients go into the colonoscopy with an empty stomach after the bowel prep, they are often feeling quite hungry afterwards. Eating helps provide energy and nutrients to start replenishing the body.
However, eating too much too soon after the procedure can lead to complications like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or discomfort. The sedatives given for the colonoscopy can slow digestion, so foods may not tolerated well in the first few hours afterwards. Going slowly with first foods and drinks can help prevent problems.
The first meal sets the tone for getting the digestive system back on track. Foods that are easy to digest with little fiber allow the colon to gradually return to normal function. A light meal gives the bowel time to start up again while avoiding irritation, gas or diarrhea.
Tips for the first meal
Here are some tips for the first meal after a colonoscopy:
Wait until Effects of Sedation Wear Off
Since sedation medication can slow the digestive system, it’s best to wait until the effects fully wear off before eating a meal. This may take several hours. Clear liquids can be started an hour or two after the procedure, with gradual progression to more solid foods as the sedatives diminish.
Stay Hydrated with Clear Liquids
Drinking fluids after a colonoscopy helps prevent dehydration following the bowel prep. Clear, low-fiber liquids are best in the few hours after the procedure. Water, apple juice, weak tea, clear broth, popsicles and gelatin are good options that can be tolerated when still groggy from sedation. Avoid any red liquids which could be confused with blood. Keep sipping small amounts frequently.
Eat Bland, Low-Fiber Foods
A bland, low-fiber meal is recommended when transitioning from liquids to solid foods after a colonoscopy. Foods gentle on the colon allow it to recover from the procedure without too much stimulation. Good options include:
– Chicken broth or vegetable broth
– White bread or saltine crackers
– Boiled white rice
– Oatmeal or cream of wheat
– Cottage cheese or plain yogurt
– Scrambled eggs or omelet
– Skinless chicken or turkey
– Canned peeled fruits like applesauce, peaches, pears
– Mashed potatoes or noodles
– Jello, popsicles
Avoid Irritating Foods
Certain foods may be harder to tolerate or cause irritation after a colonoscopy. It’s best to avoid:
– Whole grains like whole wheat bread, brown rice, high-fiber cereals
– Raw vegetables or salads
– Dried fruits and nuts
– Beans, corn or broccoli
– Spicy, greasy or fried foods
– Carbonated beverages
– Alcohol
– Caffeine
– Dairy products if lactose intolerant
Stay Away from Heavy Meals
Consuming smaller amounts of food until the digestive system recovers is recommended. Avoid large portions or foods heavy in fat, which take longer to digest. Going back to a normal diet can happen gradually over a day or two. Listen to your body – if you start to feel discomfort, nausea or abdominal pain, stop eating.
Sample menu for first meal
Here is a sample menu for the first meal after a colonoscopy:
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 package of saltine crackers
– 1 cup diluted apple juice
– 1 cup plain yogurt
– 1 soft boiled egg
– 1 slice white toast
– 1 cup peeled diced peaches
This simple meal incorporates bland foods that are easy to digest like broth, crackers, yogurt, toast and soft fruits. Avoiding spicy, fried or high-fiber choices allows the colon to recover without over-stimulation. Stay hydrated with sips of apple juice between bites.
Transitioning back to normal diet
Returning to a normal diet after a colonoscopy should happen gradually over 1-2 days. Here are some tips for transitioning:
– Slowly increase portion sizes from small meals to regular sizes as tolerated
– Progress from smooth and soft foods to regular textures
– Add in tender cooked vegetables, white meat like chicken, fish and ground meats
– Incorporate well-cooked whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat pasta
– Focus on healthy fats like olive oil, avocado and nuts
– Stay hydrated with water and clear liquids between meals
Listen to your body – if you experience abdominal pain, bloating, gas or diarrhea, you may be progressing too quickly. Slow down and wait until your colon recovers more before increasing fiber or eating larger portions. With a gradual, gentle return to normal eating, your digestive system will be back on track in no time.
Foods to avoid after a colonoscopy
While you may be eager to jump back into eating all your favorite foods after a colonoscopy prep, it’s best to give your GI tract a little time to recover. Certain foods can be harder to digest or could irritate the bowel after the procedure. Here are some foods to avoid for the first 1-2 days after a colonoscopy:
Nuts and seeds
Foods like nuts, seeds and popcorn can be hard for the colon to break down after a colonoscopy. Their small, hard particles could cause discomfort or abdominal pain.
Whole grains
The high fiber content of whole grains like whole wheat bread, brown rice, bran cereals and oatmeal may over-stimulate the colon soon after the procedure. Stick to refined grains for a day or so.
Fruits and vegetables with skin or seeds
Raw produce, especially those with skins and seeds, can be difficult to digest at first. Peel and seed veggies like tomatoes and cucumbers before eating after a colonoscopy.
Dried fruits
Prunes, raisins, dried apricots and other dried fruits often cause gas. Their high fiber content can bother the colon after it’s been cleansed for the colonoscopy prep.
Beans and cruciferous vegetables
Delay eating gas-producing foods like beans, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts until your system recovers. Their raffinose sugars may ferment in the colon.
Fatty and fried foods
Greasy, fried foods like french fries, pizza, burgers and chips may sit heavy in the stomach after a colonoscopy. Spicy foods may also cause discomfort.
Sugar alcohols
Sugar substitutes like sorbitol and xylitol found in sugar-free gum and candy can have a laxative effect. Best to avoid them after a colon cleanse.
Alcohol
Alcohol is dehydrating and irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol for a day or so until your system fully recovers.
By paying attention to what your body tolerates well, you’ll get back on track quickly after your colonoscopy. Focus on hydration and mild, low-fiber foods at first.
Staying hydrated after the colonoscopy prep
Colonoscopy prep with strong laxatives or enemas is designed to completely empty the colon prior to the procedure. This cleansing of the bowels can cause significant fluid losses, leaving patients dehydrated. It’s important to focus on replenishing fluids after the colon prep.
Sip water frequently
Drink small amounts of water consistently after the bowel prep to rehydrate. Gulping large volumes may cause nausea or vomiting. Take small sips every 5-10 minutes to restore fluid balances.
Include clear broths
In addition to water, sipping on clear broths can provide electrolytes and salt lost during the colonoscopy prep. Chicken, vegetable or beef broths are easy on the stomach.
Try herbal teas
Warm, gentle herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint and ginger can help soothe the gastrointestinal tract after the colonoscopy prep. Avoid any teas that act as stimulant laxatives.
Oral rehydration solutions
Sports drinks high in electrolytes or oral rehydration salts dissolved in water can help restore fluid and mineral balance after prep.
Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages
Alcohol and caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea and soda are dehydrating. They should be avoided in the days after bowel prep when fluid replenishment is most important.
Include jello, broths, popsicles
Transitioning from clear liquids to solid foods after colonoscopy prep should include jello, broths, diluted juices and popsicles which all help increase fluid intake.
Monitor urine color
Urine color is an indicator of hydration status. Pale yellow to clear urine means you are well-hydrated, while dark yellow urine concentrated urine indicates a need to drink more fluids.
Be patient with rehydrating after colonoscopy prep – it can take 24 hours to fully restore fluid balance. Sipping small amounts frequently throughout the day is key.
Reasons to progress slowly with eating after a colonoscopy
Colonoscopies require thorough cleansing of the bowels using strong laxatives, enemas or both. This can leave the digestive system feeling quite sensitive afterwards. Progressing slowly and cautiously with eating after the procedure allows your GI tract time to recover. Here are some key reasons to take it easy when resuming your diet:
Effects of sedation
Colonoscopies are performed under sedation. Anesthesia drugs can slow down the gastrointestinal tract. This makes it harder to digest food until the medications fully wear off over several hours.
Prevent nausea and vomiting
Consuming large or heavy meals before sedation medication is completely eliminated from the system may trigger nausea, vomiting or stomach discomfort. A light diet helps avoid these unpleasant side effects.
Reduce bowel irritation
Your colon needs a rest after being vigorously cleansed before the colonoscopy. Eating fatty, spicy or gas-producing foods right away can over-stimulate the bowel and provoke cramping or diarrhea.
Give colon time to wake up
The colon essentially goes to sleep during colonoscopy prep as there is no solid matter to propel. This smooth muscle needs time to “wake up” and regain normal function. Low fiber foods allow a gradual return of bowel movements.
Check for post-procedure bleeding
Slowly progressing with eating allows stools to be checked for blood from hemorrhoids or colon biopsy sites. Large amounts of fiber right away could mask bleeding.
Prevent dehydration
Focusing on replenishing fluids prevents dehydration from the colon cleansing prep. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages can worsen dehydration.
Listen to your body
Each person may tolerate foods differently after a colonoscopy. Let your own symptoms and comfort guide your diet. Only advance as tolerated without nausea or diarrhea.
By starting with clear liquids and bland foods, you allow your colon to wake up gradually as the bowel prep wears off. Take it slow and listen to your body to keep your digestive system happy.
Foods to eat after a colonoscopy
Deciding what to eat after a colonoscopy can seem tricky, especially after the bowel cleansing prep. The colon needs time to recover normal function without being over-stimulated. The best foods after a colonoscopy are gentle in fiber and fat to get your GI tract back on track. Here are some good choices:
Bland starches
Foods like white bread, plain bagels, saltine crackers, peeled boiled potatoes and white rice are easy to digest. Look for low fiber options.
Lean poultry and fish
Skinless chicken, turkey and fish like cod, tilapia or sole are great sources of protein that are gentle on the colon. Avoid fattier cuts of meat.
Broths and consommés
Sipping on clear broths helps replenish electrolyte losses from colonoscopy prep. Chicken, vegetable and beef broth provide fluids and sodium.
Canned or cooked fruits and vegetables
Fruits and veggies without skin or seeds are better tolerated. Try peeled applesauce, cooked carrots or canned pears which have less insoluble fiber.
Dairy products
Low-fat yogurt, milk, pudding, cottage cheese and butter are usually easy to digest if you are not lactose intolerant. Cheese tends to stimulate the bowels more.
Refined cereals
Low-fiber cereals including cream of wheat, corn flakes, Rice Krispies or Cheerios are a good breakfast option the day after a colonoscopy.
Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of protein to help replenish strength after the bowel prep. Have them boiled, poached, scrambled or as an omelet.
Clear liquids
Continue to sip on clear liquids like water, diluted juices and tea in addition to soft foods as you transition back to a regular diet after the procedure.
In general, look for foods low in fiber, fat and seasonings at first. Pay attention to your body, increasing fiber slowly over a few days on an individual basis.
Conclusion
Resuming eating after a colonoscopy requires some patience and gradual progression based on your tolerance. Start with clear liquids before transitioning to bland, low fiber foods that are gentle on your colon. Stay hydrated with water and broth. Avoid anything spicy, greasy or gassy that could over-stimulate your bowels. Take it slow and give your GI tract ample time to recover normal function again after the bowel prep. Within a day or two of careful eating, your system should start feeling back to normal.
