What to Eat and Not Eat After a Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is something many people will have several times in their lives to look for colon cancer and other digestive diseases. It’s an excellent tool that requires specific preparation and a small recovery to feel your best.

After a colonoscopy, you want to eat right away — but it’s crucial to know what you should and shouldn’t eat after for a healthy tummy. At Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, Dr Ilyas Memon offers tips and tricks to make your colonoscopy go smoothly.

Dr. Memon is an experienced gastroenterologist who provides colonoscopy for digestive issues such as IBS, diverticulitis, and Crohn’s disease, as well as colon cancer screening.

How a colonoscopy affects your stomach

During a colonoscopy, we insert a small scope with a camera into your anus to look at the lower part of the GI tract. To see clearly, you have to do a cleanse the day before to completely clean out your colon.

The colonoscopy can temporarily lead to various GI issues, including bloating, gas, fullness, and cramping. It can also cause nausea, mild abdominal pain, and irregular bowel movements, sometimes for the first 24 hours.

What you eat in the days before and after the colonoscopy significantly influences how you feel during recovery. Take it easy in the days before the procedure, and know which foods are safe to eat afterwards for a better experience.

Great foods to eat after your colonoscopy

After a colonoscopy, it’s common to feel a little queasy from the sedation and an empty stomach. It’s crucial to avoid eating a big meal afterward and slowly incorporate foods to keep your stomach happy.

The best thing to start with after a colonoscopy is liquids. The colonoscopy prep dehydrates your system, which is why it’s crucial to start with liquids.

Choose liquids that are gentle on the stomach, like water, chicken broth, and whole juices. Drinks with electrolytes are a great option for rehydrating after a tough colonoscopy prep.

When you’re ready to move on to solid foods, start with bland, easy-to-digest foods. Choose foods like white toast, rice, and chicken noodle soup, which are easy on the stomach. You can also have noodles, lean proteins, and scrambled eggs afterward to ease back into regular food.

As the day progresses, you can try other foods, but take it slow and listen to your body and stomach.

Foods to avoid after your procedure

Just as there are foods you can eat after a colonoscopy, there are also some foods to avoid. The colonoscopy prep and procedure are tough on your digestive tract, so it’s crucial to stay away from the following foods:

• Spicy foods
• Dairy
• Carbonated drinks
• Raw, high-fiber foods
• Alcohol
• Difficult-to-digest foods

These foods are hard on the GI tract and may cause further discomfort, bloating, gas, or reflux after a colonoscopy. It’s also essential to avoid drinking red or purple liquids, as they can look like blood in the toilet.

If you’re not sure what to eat and what to avoid after your colonoscopy, check with us to ensure you stay hydrated and your stomach takes it easy as you recover.

To schedule your colonoscopy, call Texas Digestive Disease Consultants today or request a consultation with Dr. Memon on our website.