What to Eat and Drink After an Endoscopy: Best Foods to Eat and Avoid

An upper endoscopy — or esophagogastroduodenoscopy — is a medical procedure that lets healthcare professionals see the inside of your upper gastrointestinal tract. Upper endoscopies can diagnose many conditions like acid reflux, stomach ulcers, tumors, and bleeding. 

Eating the right foods and drinking the right liquids can help you heal and recover after an endoscopy. Let’s take a look at the best foods and drinks to eat after endoscopy and which you should avoid.

What foods should you eat after endoscopy?

Your healthcare team will let you know if you need to follow specific diet instructions after your endoscopy. You may be asked to stick with liquids for a few hours after your endoscopy and then move on to soft foods. 

Many people can eat solid foods right after their endoscopy. But others experience side effects after an endoscopy that make it challenging to eat and drink. The most common ones are sore throat, mild pain with swallowing, and bloating. 

So it’s important to choose the right foods and drinks after your endoscopy. Some foods can worsen these side effects and lengthen your recovery time. But other foods can soothe these symptoms and make it easier to get back to your regular routine. 

Here are five foods and drinks to try after your endoscopy.

1. Warm liquids

Warm liquids can soothe a sore throat. They may also ease any discomfort you have when you swallow. Warm liquids are also easily digested and move quickly through the stomach so they won’t add to bloating. You can try:

• Warm water with lemon

• Tea

• Warm broth 

• Soups

• Warm milk

Make sure the liquids aren’t too hot. Very hot liquids can scald the back of your throat, which can worsen inflammation. This can worsen throat pain.

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2. Cold liquids

Cold and iced beverages can temporarily numb the back of your throat. This can help with throat pain and swallowing discomfort. Sipping on cold liquids can also help keep you hydrated. Here are some options you can try:

• Water

• Unsweetened juices

• Electrolyte drinks

• Cold milk

• Gelatin (Jell-O)

• Ice chips

• Popsicles

You can also opt for protein shakes, which offer additional nutrition and vitamins. Fruit smoothies are another great option. Just make sure to refrigerate them before drinking.

3. Soft fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain important nutrients that can help you recover after an endoscopy. But some fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, which can worsen bloating. And some raw fruits and vegetables have sharper edges, which can irritate your throat. 

That’s why it’s best to stick with soft fruits and vegetables for 2 to 3 days after your endoscopy. This way, you get the nutritional benefits without the irritation. 

Here are the best fruits and vegetables to eat after an endoscopy:

• Applesauce

• Avocado

• Bananas

• Melon

• Peaches

• Pears

• Carrots

• Green beans

• Potatoes

• Squash

Make sure fruits are ripe enough that you can easily mash them. Vegetables should be cooked until they’re soft enough to mash. You can also opt for premade fruit and vegetable pouches and canned fruit. 

4. Soft grains

Soft grains are easy on your throat and often lower in fiber, making them easier to digest and less likely to cause bloating. Some soft grains you can try include:

• Oatmeal

• Quinoa

• Cooked cereals, like Cream of Wheat

• Well-cooked pasta

• Mac and cheese

5. Dairy products

Dairy products are both soft and low in fiber. This makes them good options if you’re experiencing bloating or throat pain after your endoscopy. Plus, dairy products contain protein, which can help with recovery. Some dairy products you can try include:

• Yogurt

• Cottage cheese

• Ice cream

• Scrambled eggs

• Pudding

You can also try dairy-free versions of these foods. Dairy-free products may not contain as much protein. But they’re easy on your throat and gut. 

What foods should you avoid after an endoscopy?

You should avoid foods and drinks that can irritate your throat and gut after an endoscopy. You don’t have to cut these foods out forever. But it’s best to avoid them until any symptoms go away. Here are which foods and drinks to avoid.

Spicy foods

Spicy foods can irritate the back of your throat. They can also trigger reflux (heartburn), which can worsen your symptoms. Avoid hot sauces, spicy peppers, and curry dishes.

Acidic foods

Acidic foods can also irritate the back of your throat and trigger reflux symptoms. Limit citrus fruits and their juices, like: 

• Oranges

• Lemon

• Lime

• Grapefruit

It’s also a good idea to avoid tomatoes and tomato-based products, like tomato sauce. 

High-fat foods

Fatty and greasy foods take longer to travel through your gut. This may trigger reflux or even worsen bloating. Avoid fried foods like fried chicken, hamburgers, and french fries. You should also avoid fatty meats like bacon and sausage until your symptoms are better. 

Alcohol

Alcohol can irritate your esophagus and worsen reflux. You should also avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours after your endoscopy. That’s because it can make you tired and worsen the sedating effects of anesthesia. 

Signs you should seek care after an endoscopy

An endoscopy is a safe medical procedure. The most commonly reported side effects are:

• Bloating 

• Abdominal (swelling) distension

• Sore throat

• Nausea

People may also experience vomiting and an upset stomach after an endoscopy. These symptoms may also be caused by anesthesia medications. 

It’s rare, but serious complications can happen after an endoscopy. You should seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms after an endoscopy:

• Severe chest pain

• Severe abdominal pain

• Inability to swallow

• Voice changes

• Shortness of breath

• Rapid heart rate

• Fever

• Swelling around the neck

• Nose bleeds

• Coughing up blood

• Dental pain

These may be signs of serious complications that need immediate treatment. 

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Written by:

Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP

Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.

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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