An endoscopy is a procedure where a doctor uses an endoscope, a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera, to see inside your digestive tract. Endoscopies are used to look for causes of symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or bleeding. They can also be used for screening and preventive purposes. After an endoscopy, your digestive system will be a little irritated from the scope insertion. Because of this, it is recommended to stick to a bland, soft food diet for 1 to 2 days afterwards.
When can I start eating after an endoscopy?
After your endoscopy is complete, your doctor will monitor you for a short period of time in a recovery area until anesthesia side effects have decreased. You’ll likely feel groggy and may have a sore throat. Once the anesthesia has worn off, you should be able to eat and drink again. This is usually within 1 to 2 hours after the procedure.
Some key things to keep in mind regarding eating after an endoscopy:
- If your throat feels sore, start with liquids first to avoid irritation.
- Follow a light, bland diet on the day of and day after the endoscopy.
- Chew food completely to prevent choking.
- Avoid irritating foods like citrus, spicy foods, alcohol, or anything crunchy/scratchy.
- Drink plenty of water and clear liquids.
- Eat small, frequent meals instead of large portions.
- Stop eating if you feel pain or nausea.
Easing back into eating with gentle foods will help you recover and prevent further irritation to your digestive tract. Listen to your body, and only eat what feels comfortable.
What foods should I eat after an endoscopy?
Here are some good diet options for the first 1-2 days after an endoscopy:
Beverages
- Water
- Fruit juices like apple, cranberry, or grape
- Weak tea
- Clear broth
- Electrolyte drinks like Gatorade or Pedialyte
- Coffee (go easy on milk and creamers which can be acidic)
Soft, bland foods
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Mashed potatoes
- Broth-based soups
- Saltine crackers
- Rice
- Applesauce or bananas
- Cottage cheese
- Mashed sweet or regular potatoes
- Smoothies without seeds, pulp or acid like yogurt, milk, banana
- Jello
- Pudding
- Ice cream, milkshakes
Tender cooked or canned vegetables
- Green beans
- Carrots
- Beets
- Asparagus tips
- Spinach
Soft, flaky fish
- Tilapia
- Cod
- Haddock
- Sole
- Trout
Ground or finely chopped meats
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Lean beef
- Tofu
Canned fruits
- Peaches
- Pears
- Applesauce
- Mandarin oranges
Cooked cereals
- Oatmeal
- Grits
- Cream of wheat or rice
Breads
- White bread or bagels
- Saltine crackers
- English muffins
- Melba toast
Noodles/pasta
- Macaroni and cheese
- Spaghetti
- Noodle soups
What foods should I avoid after an endoscopy?
Some foods are too harsh for a sensitive digestive system and may cause pain or irritation after an endoscopy. Foods to avoid include:
- Spicy, heavily seasoned, or very salty foods
- Acidic foods like citrus fruits, juices, tomatoes
- Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage
- Raw vegetables
- Tough meats with gristle
- Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, bran
- Nuts, seeds, popcorn
- Fried or greasy foods
- Carbonated beverages
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
Foods that are crunchy, spicy, highly acidic, or fibrous are more likely to cause irritation or discomfort after an endoscopy. As your system recovers, you can slowly add these foods back into your diet after a day or two.
Sample menu for the day after an endoscopy
Here is a sample bland diet menu you could follow the day after getting an endoscopy:
Breakfast
- Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar
- Poached egg
- Decaf tea or coffee
- Banana
Lunch
- Mashed potato with salt, pepper, parsley
- Chicken noodle soup
- Crackers
- Applesauce
- Herbal tea
Dinner
- Pasta with butter or olive oil
- Tilapia seasoned with herbs
- Cooked carrots
- White dinner roll
- Pudding
- Water
Snacks
- Jello
- Banana smoothie
- Saltine crackers
- Chicken noodle soup
- White rice
- Chamomile tea
When can I resume a normal diet after an endoscopy?
Once the sedation has worn off and any throat discomfort goes away, you can likely start adding more variety back into your diet. Most people can resume their normal diet 1 to 2 days after the endoscopy. Let your body be your guide.
Start slowly with bland foods and if those are tolerated well, gradually reintroduce regular foods over the next couple days. Small, frequent portions are best. Chew thoroughly. Stop eating anything that causes pain or nausea.
Here is a general timeline for getting back to normal eating after an endoscopy:
- Same day: Liquids and very bland, soft foods. Avoid tough meats, whole grains, raw veggies.
- 1 day after: Mash, chop, blend, cook foods well. Include tender meats and cooked veggies.
- 2 days after: Try including lighter proteins like eggs, dairy, fish. Some cooked whole grains ok.
- 3 days after: Resume regular diet if no symptoms occur. Consider smaller portions.
Let your doctor know if you have ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms more than 3 days after the endoscopy. Call them sooner if you experience severe abdominal pain, fever, bloody stool, vomiting, or dehydration.
What should I watch out for after an endoscopy?
Most people recover quickly after an endoscopy without complications. But call your doctor if you experience:
- Fever over 101 F
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe abdominal pain
- Bloody stool
- Inability to eat or drink
- Chest pain or tightness
- Shortness of breath
Also let your doctor know if symptoms like nausea, bloating, or sore throat last longer than 2 to 3 days after the procedure.
Can I drink alcohol after an endoscopy?
It’s recommended to avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours after you receive sedation during an endoscopy. Alcohol can interact with anesthetic medications and sedatives, causing drowsiness and coordination problems. It can also further irritate your digestive tract.
Once the sedation medication has fully cleared your system, it may be ok to drink alcohol moderately if you feel up to it. But be cautious – alcohol can worsen digestive issues like nausea, cramping, or diarrhea after an endoscopy. It can also dehydrate you. Clear any alcohol use with your doctor first.
When can I resume normal activities after an endoscopy?
After an endoscopy, you’ll need to take it easy for the rest of the day as the sedation wears off. You may feel groggy and sleepy for several hours. You should not drive or operate heavy machinery on the day of the procedure since your reflexes will be impaired.
Here are some general guidelines for resuming normal activity:
- Rest for the remainder of the day after the endoscopy.
- Avoid driving for 24 hours after being sedated.
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat bland foods.
- Ask someone to stay with you to monitor side effects.
- Resume light activity like walking the day after.
- Can return to work in 1-2 days if feeling ok.
- Avoid physically demanding activities for 2 to 3 days.
- Get emergency care for concerning symptoms like fever, vomiting, chest pain.
Listen to your body and ease back into exercise and normal routine. Take it slow. Make sure sedation effects have fully worn off before attempting tasks requiring coordination and alertness. Stay near a restroom in case of diarrhea. Call your doctor with any worrying symptoms after the endoscopy. With rest and care, you should make a quick recovery.
Conclusion
Following an endoscopy, be gentle with your digestive system by sticking to a bland, soft diet for a day or two. Drink plenty of fluids like water, broth, and juice to stay hydrated. Slowly ease back into normal foods as tolerated. Call your doctor if you experience concerning symptoms like severe pain, vomiting, fever, or bleeding. With caution and care, you can get back to your normal routine within a couple days after an endoscopy. Focus on fluids, rest, and soothing foods during your recovery.
