I’ve always loved a good excuse to cheat on my diet. I’m not talking about a planned cheat day or special holiday celebrations like birthdays and Christmas. I’m talking about those times when you have a legitimate reason to eat something just a little bit sinful. After having my wisdom teeth removed, I was placed on a strict diet of popsicles and milkshakes for the first 24 hours – fine by me! When I was in the hospital after delivering my son, the night shift nurse would bring ice cream with my medication because she insisted it needed to be taken with food – who am I to argue? And of course, my favorite part of marathon training was that blessed week before the race known as carb week. In hindsight, I’m not sure how much that plate of fettuccini alfredo helped me cross the finish line, but I like to think it helped a little.
It’s nice to have an excuse every now and then to do something we normally wouldn’t allow ourselves to do. And if you’re scheduled for a colonoscopy, you’ve got a great excuse! Some doctors now prescribe a low-fiber diet 4 to 5 days prior to a colonoscopy to aid in the colon preparation process. Yes, I’m talking about refined carbohydrates, fatty dressings and sweet, creamy desserts.
Fiber is the indigestible part of plant foods that creates bulk in stool and leaves a high amount of digestive residue. When you have a colonoscopy, your entire colon must be clear in order for your doctor to obtain a clear visual and perform a thorough exam. Eliminating high fiber foods from your diet several days prior to your colonoscopy minimizes the production of waste. This increases your chances of achieving a successful bowel preparation and a receiving high-quality colonoscopy (Source: LIVESTRONG).
It might seem a little ironic that doctors would prescribe a low-fiber diet for colonoscopies when a high-fiber diet is recommended to prevent colon cancer, but keep in mind that this is a temporary dietary change. A high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes is still an important part of a healthy lifestyle that prevents colon cancer.
If your doctor has prescribed a low-fiber diet in preparation for your colonoscopy, there is a wide variety of foods you can eat. Here are some items that can stay on your low-fiber pre-colonoscopy menu:
Dairy
- Milk or buttermilk
- Cream
- Hot chocolate
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Sour cream
Grains
- Refined breads and baked goods
- White rice
- Low-fiber cereal
- Plain crackers without seeds
Lean Meat
- Poultry
- Lamb
- Pork
- Veal
- Seafood
- Eggs
Fruits and vegetables
- Canned or cooked fruits and vegetables without seeds or skin
- Applesauce
- Ripe cantaloupe and honeydew (no watermelon)
Fats and oils
- Butter or margarine
- Mayonnaise
- Salad Dressing
- Vegetable and other oils
Desserts
- Ice cream
- Custard
- Sherbet or sorbet without seeds
- Pudding or Jell-O
- Refined cookies or cakes without nuts or seeds (Source: Group Health)
Even if a food appears on your safe list, it is still important to check food labels and ingredients. Some items such as yogurt and ice cream may contain nuts, seeds or whole pieces of fruit.
Preparing for a colonoscopy is never fun, but with a low-fiber diet, you can at least treat yourself to some foods that wouldn’t normally make it on your plate. With adequate preparation and a successful exam, you won’t have to repeat the process for an entire decade, so it’s worth getting it right the first time around. Make a commitment to yourself to do your absolute best when preparing for your colonoscopy, and give yourself the gift of good health for many years to come.