A Complete Guide to Pre-Colonoscopy Foods! What You Can Eat Up to 3 Days Before

Are you unsure about what to eat and when to start eating before a colonoscopy?
In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that the accuracy of colonoscopy depends on ‘diet control.’
We'll give you a clear overview of what foods to eat and avoid starting three days before the test and up until the day before.

 

 

 

[Why is diet control important before colonoscopy?]

 

A colonoscopy is a test that allows you to directly look inside the colon.
If there is any residual food, seeds, or fiber left in the intestines at this time,
Small polyps may be missed or impossible to examine at all.

 

→ Accurate examination = clean intestines
→ Clean intestines = proper diet + taking bowel cleansers

 

 

[ Food 3 days before colonoscopy: “No fiber” ]

 

Avoid the following foods for three days before your test:

- Vegetables (spinach, bean sprouts, etc.)
- Mixed grain rice (brown rice, black rice, beans)
- Seaweed (wakame, kelp)
- Fruits with seeds (watermelon, kiwi, grapes, cantaloupe)
- Kimchi, red pepper powder, nuts, corn, etc.

 

👉 Reason: Remains in the colon for a long time and covers the mucosa, hindering examination.

 

 

 

[Food 2 days before colonoscopy: “Soft white diet”]

 

Starting two days before the test, eat mainly easily digestible foods:

- White rice
- egg
- potato
- Soft tofu, tofu
- White fish
- Chicken
- Ham (lean)

 

💡 Tip: A diet that's mostly white and low in fiber is key!

 

 

 

[ Food the day before colonoscopy: “Only porridge and seaweed soup are OK!” ]

 

- Breakfast: White porridge, rice cake soup
- Lunch: White porridge or seaweed soup without side dishes
- Dinner: No food before 5 PM (※ Fasting after that)
- Coffee? ❌ Avoid caffeinated beverages as well.

 

❗ Fasting after 10 PM
❗ Do not drink water carelessly (except when taking test medication)

 

 

 

[ The way to take the bowel cleansing agent is also important! ]

 

The most common product, Corytsan/Coolprepsan, is taken as follows:

- From the evening before the test → Consume a total of 3-4L at regular intervals
- Start going to the bathroom 1-2 hours after taking the medication
- You must drink everything to get an accurate test.

 

caution

- Drink mixed with cold water
- Barley tea or hot water ❌
- Use white candy in case of severe pain

 

⛔ Check the taboos

 

There are also medications that you should stop taking 5 days before the test:

- Antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin and Plavix
- Anticoagulants such as warfarin and Coumadin
- Do not take diabetes medication on the morning of the test.

 

👉 Be sure to consult your doctor

 

 

 

[ ✅ Summary of foods you can eat during colonoscopy ]

 

period	Food you can eat	Foods to avoid
3 days ago ~ 2 days ago	White rice, tofu, eggs, potatoes, white fish	Wild vegetables, grains, fruit seeds, kimchi
A day ago	White porridge, rice cake soup	Regular food, coffee, milk, etc.
day	Fasting (only taking medication)	All prohibited

 

 

[ 📌 Can I drink coffee the day before a colonoscopy? ]

No!

Coffee is water, but it contains caffeine and pigments that can interfere with the endoscope's view.
From the day before the examination, drink only clear water.

 

 

 

[ conclusion ]

 

- Start preparing your colonoscopy food 3 days in advance!
- Avoid fiber and focus on white porridge, white rice, and rice water.
- The colon cleansing agent must be taken exactly until the end for the test to be successful.
- Be sure to consult a doctor before taking medication.

 

 

💡 To summarize: Preventing colon cancer starts with ‘what you eat.’

 

 

 

 

See more related articles 🤔🤔

💠Review of a colonoscopy to prevent colon cancer

💠The warning signs and causes of colon cancer, which are becoming increasingly younger in the age of onset.