The Best Foods to Eat After a Colonoscopy (and Which to Avoid)

If you’re getting ready for your colonoscopy (or you’ve just finished one), you might be wondering when you can start eating again. It’s normal to feel hungry after the procedure. After all, you probably haven’t eaten for almost 24 hours.

But you might not want to go back to your regular diet right away. Between your bowel prep, anesthesia medications, and the procedure itself, your gut may need to take it easy for 1 or 2 days.

When can you eat after a colonoscopy?

Many people can eat as soon as they leave the outpatient procedure center or hospital after their colonoscopy. 

But some people may not be able to eat right away. Not all colonoscopies are the same. If you had biopsies during your colonoscopy or had polyps removed, you may not be able to eat right away. When you’re able to eat, you may need to avoid certain foods. This gives your gut a chance to rest and recover from the procedure.

Your team will review your diet instructions with you before you go home. They will also provide instructions in writing. It’s important to follow these instructions. Rushing your diet could irritate your bowels and cause complications. 

If you don’t have any dietary restrictions after your colonoscopy, you can eat as soon as you get home — if you feel up to it. In one study, people who ate soft foods right after their colonoscopy recovered just as well as those who waited.

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What are the best foods to eat after a colonoscopy?

If you’ve been given the “all-clear” to eat after your colonoscopy, it’s best to stick to soft and low-fiber foods for 24 hours. 

That’s because your digestive system may be more sensitive after a colonoscopy. The bowel prep you took to get ready for your colonoscopy can wash out your normal gut bacteria and irritate the lining of your bowels. These two things make it harder for your gut to move and digest food. 

Foods that are easy to digest and good to eat after a colonoscopy include: 

• Plain crackers (like saltine crackers, either lightly salted or unseasoned)

• Clear, broth-based soups or any type of plain broth

• Scrambled eggs (limit seasoning, milk, and butter)

• Toasted white bread 

• Yogurt

• Jello

• Pudding

• Applesauce

• Mashed or baked potatoes (without the skin)

• Soft white fish (like halibut, cod, or bass)

• Smooth nut butters

• Steamed, baked, or sautéed vegetables (cooked until very soft)

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After 24 hours, most people are ready to return to their usual diet. But if your gut still feels sensitive, continue eating easy-to-digest foods. It can take up to 3 days to feel back to normal. If after 3 days you still can’t eat your usual diet, talk with your healthcare professional.

What should you drink after a colonoscopy?

You want to drink plenty of fluids after your colonoscopy. Your body loses a lot of fluid during colonoscopy prep. You want to replace that fluid to avoid dehydration. 

Water is the best thing to drink after a colonoscopy. It will replace any lost fluids and is also easy on your gut. But if you want something with flavor, you can also opt for:

• Low-sugar, electrolyte-containing drinks

• Natural, low-sugar fruit juice

• Herbal tea (without milk or cream)

• Vegetable juice or tomato juice

• Popsicles

Should you take a prebiotic or probiotic after a colonoscopy?

You can add a prebiotic or probiotic to your daily diet after a colonoscopy. They may help your gut recover:

• Probiotics are supplements that contain healthy bacteria and yeast that live naturally in your body. 

• Prebiotics are foods that act as a food source for these essential bacteria and yeast. 

However, keep in mind that there’s no official guidance on whether or not you should add prebiotics or probiotics around the time of a colonoscopy, says Dr. Daniel Lavy, a colon and rectal surgeon at Hartford HealthCare’s Digestive Health Institute.

But Dr. Lavy added, “If you typically incorporate prebiotics as a part of your daily regimen, you can start back the following day.” 

What foods should you avoid after a colonoscopy?

Even if you had a routine screening colonoscopy, there are still some foods you should avoid for at least 24 hours. 

Foods that are difficult to digest can lead to pain and make you feel queasy, gassy, or bloated. 

Here are some foods to avoid after your colonoscopy:

Whole grains

While whole grains are great for your health, they’re also harder to digest. Avoid all forms of whole grains, including crackers, breads, brown rice, and oatmeal for at least 24 hours.

Raw or dried fruits and vegetables

Raw fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and nutrients, but they are high in fiber, making them hard to digest. Dried fruit can also be tough on your gut. Completely cooked, softened vegetables and soft fruits without the skin are lower in fiber, so they’re easier to eat. 

Nuts, seeds, and popcorn

While normally great snacks, you’ll need to take a break from nuts, seeds, and popcorn for a few days. They can be tough on your gut. 

Dairy

Lactase, the enzyme that digests dairy, is found on the very top of your gut lining. This lining can be washed away by bowel prep, and lactase can be washed away with it. This can give you a temporary case of lactose intolerance. So it’s best to avoid dairy for 1 to 2 days after your colonoscopy. 

Fried and greasy foods

Fried, greasy foods are hard on your gut and lead to bloating and gas. It’s best to avoid them for a day or two after a colonoscopy.

Can you drink alcohol after a colonoscopy?

You should avoid all alcohol, including beer and wine, for the first 24 hours after a colonoscopy.

The anesthesia you received during your colonoscopy can linger in your system. Most people feel tired and sleepy and have trouble concentrating for up to 24 hours after their colonoscopy. Alcohol can intensify these effects and make it dangerous for you to drive and do other activities.

Also, alcohol can irritate your stomach lining, making it harder for your gut to recover from your colonoscopy. 

Is it normal to have no appetite after a colonoscopy?

It can be normal to have no appetite after a colonoscopy. You may feel mild discomfort and bloating after a colonoscopy. This can affect your appetite. You may also feel nauseous and tired from anesthesia, which can also affect your interest in food. It’s OK to follow your appetite after a colonoscopy, but you should still try to drink fluids so that you stay hydrated. It can help to take small, frequent sips of fluids throughout the day. 

You should start to feel more like yourself within 24 hours if you had a screening colonoscopy. Call your healthcare team if your appetite doesn’t return within 24 hours of your colonoscopy. 

Other things to consider after your colonoscopy

Colonoscopies are a safe procedure. But complications can happen. Call your care team right away if you experience any of these symptoms after your colonoscopy: 

• Fever

• Severe stomach pain

• Pain that keeps you from moving

• Vomiting

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Fainting

• Blood in your stools

• Low urine output or dark urine

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Written by:

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, PhD

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist who has been practicing anesthesiology in a community hospital for 30 years. He has taught in the honors program at George Washington University for over 10 years and works as a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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