Holistic Colonoscopy Prep Diet & Supplements: Prep for a Colonoscopy Naturally

Newsflash: You Can Eat Food and clear liquid fasting is NO LONGER the “gold standard” for a colonoscopy prep diet!

In other words: You may be able to eat the day before your colonoscopy. Read on to learn more about how to eat (and survive) during your Colonoscopy Prep Diet.

Note: If you’re looking for personal support, let’s help you optimize and take your health back into your own hands! Book a complimentary 20-minute Health Strategy Call  today to find out how both myself and my clinic can help you feel good, inside and out.

The Colonoscopy Prep Diet = No Fun!

As colon cancer is on the rise in people younger than age 50, national guidelines have recently pushed the starting age for colon cancer screening with a colonoscopy down to 45.

Preparing for a colonoscopy is NO FUN task—especially if you want to do it holistically or you follow a Paleo or Autoimmune Protocol (AIP diet).

In fact, patients rate the colonoscopy prep diet and medication guidelines as the most difficult aspect of a colonoscopy. This is due in part to the unavoidable, unpleasant process of drinking a laxative (and pooping the entire day before) so that we can get a clear view of the colon.

Additionally, there’s a second, unnecessary part: Most colonoscopy instructions direct the patient to stick to a clear liquids-only diet for much of the day before, or even for the entire day in order to reduce the amount of solid waste during your scope.

It’s true: diet matters for colon cleansing, as certain foods can greatly block the doctor’s view of the colon, including: corn, nuts, grains, seeds, and several types of vegetables. However, there are ACTUALLY many solid foods that people CAN eat during colonoscopy prep WITHOUT affecting the quality of their colonoscopy.

If you’re wondering “what to eat” or what to expect the day before a colonoscopy (and how to survive with a holistic colonoscopy prep), here’s all you need to know to “survive” the colonoscopy prep diet.

Traditional Colonoscopy Prep Problems: Inflammatory Foods & OUTDATED Advice!

(ie. The “Old”  Colonoscopy Prep Diet)

Standard colonoscopy prep and the actual procedure really only involves about 48-hours of your time. In order for the doctor to be able to clearly see inside your colon with the scope, all needs to be clear, which means:

• Liquid fasting for approximately 24 hours prior to the colonoscopy
• Consuming a large amount of “special poo juice” (i.e. stool softeners and laxative)
• Making friends with the toilet for the latter part of the day

Some doctors may also suggest that you eat a soft and pureed foods at least 3 days prior to your appointment in order to make things easier to pass and this can be helpful (but it is not be 100% necessary).

Unfortunately, the traditional colonoscopy prep diet ALSO includes many “non-holistic” rituals that can make the entire colonoscopy prep experience tricky—especially for those who prefer to eat “real food” and/or who have food intolerances.

Traditional colonoscopy prep instructions the day before your exam often include:

• Drinking Gatorade and Propel to re-hydrate with “electrolytes” (and sugar and sweeteners!)
• Sucking on sugary popsicles and candies
• Eating Jell-O
• Drinking Kool-Aid and sodas, like Sprite and Ginger Ale

Translation: Starve!

While your fasting colonoscopy prep diet is really ONLY for a day (and you can do anything for one day—even if it’s not your “norm”!), however, if you’re NOT in to blood sugar rushes, food dyes and artificial sweeteners, even one day of these things can feel long and agonizing.

Moreover, as of the writing of this article, recent studies and updated “colonoscopy prep diet” guidelines actually show that patients may NOT need to actually “clear liquid-only fast” at all the day before surgery!

Yup, you heard that correctly.

Clear Liquid Fasting is NO LONGER NECESSARY for Colonoscopy Prep

Enter: A “low-residue” colonoscopy prep diet—basically: a vegetable free diet, heavy on protein and “easy to digest” starches. Believe it or not: Low residue diets are actually just as effective (and much more easy to “endure” than a diet restricted to clear liquids only) for  colonoscopy prep. (After all, you never see a chunk of chicken in your stool!).

In fact, there is abundant data to prove that  a pre-colonoscopy diet that includes solid foods is safe and effective.

One large, randomized trial  compared the results of two diet instructions the day before colonoscopy:

• One group consumed the standard colonoscopy prep diet: clear liquids only
• The other group ate a “low residue” diet that permited solid foods with meat and starch

Interestingly, the solid diet group had just as good of “elimination” as the clear-liquids-only group. However, there was one BIG difference: The patients who were allowed to eat solid food reported “higher satisfaction” with the colonoscopy prep diet and were actually less likely to cancel their colonoscopy appointments.

Another systematic review identified 13 randomized trials comparing a low-residue colonoscopy prep diet to a clear liquid one. Not a single trial discovered that a clear liquid diet resulted in better cleansing. Moreover, the low-residue diet was consistently rated by patients as more tolerable than the clear liquid diet.

Unfortunately, specialists continue to provide OUTDATED and disproven recommendations on colonoscopy bowel preparation that make the process more difficult for the millions of patients who undergo colonoscopy every year.

We have known for more than 10 years that there is an easier diet to prescribe before a colonoscopy. Yet GI doctors stubbornly prescribe to the clear-liquid diet!

Exhibit A: I Passed Out from Low Blood Sugar During My Colonoscopy Prep!

I had a colonoscopy in my late 20’s to evaluate for irritable bowel disease and celiac disease.

Going into the prep, I was a “real food eater”—meaning, I did not eat food dyes, sweeteners or processed foods.

I’ll admit, when I saw the words “Gatorade” and “Miralax” as part of my colonoscopy prep, I was sick (I don’t remember the last time I drank Gatorade). And, come colonoscopy prep day, and my body definitely did not like it or the Jell-O diet.

Long story short, by 10 pm, my blood sugar and electrolytes were all over the map!

• Lightheaded and dizzy
• Cold sweat on my brow
• Heart beating faster
• Shortness of breath

Ten-minutes later, I began walking back up the stairs to climb back in bed, and the next thing I knew, I knocked on the door to my mom’s room who was in town to help me out, saying, “Mom, I don’t feel well…” and…

I passed out. On the floor. To say the least, the event was very traumatic, as I began shaking and convulsing on the floor.

An hour later, I found myself in the ER, on IV fluids with a prognosis of “low blood sugar” and electrolyte imbalance, waiting out my colonoscopy procedure start time at 7 a.m.

Enter: The NEED for natural colonoscopy prep diet and supplement options…and actual food!

Natural Colonoscopy Prep Diet & Supplements: What to Eat Prior to Your Colonoscopy (Paleo & AIP Friendly)

So, now it’s your turn! Got a colonoscopy coming up?

In the remainder of this article, you will find a sample holistic colonoscopy prep diet—one that includes solid “low residue” foods, and another option that includes liquids only.

Discuss your strategy with your doctor, show them the studies, and here’s to happy colonoscopy prep diet and cleansing!

Note: If you’re looking for personal support, let’s help you optimize and take your health back into your own hands! Book a complimentary 20-minute Health Strategy Call  today to find out how both myself and my clinic can help you feel good, inside and out.

3 DAYS BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY PREP DIET

Three days before a colonoscopy, I recommend focusing your digestive energy on eating foods that are “easy to digest.”

EAT THIS:

Eat “easy to digest” anti-inflammatory foods; Opt for cooked (vs raw), softened and liquid-based foods, and soluble fibers, such as:

• Protein Smoothies
• Soft fruits: Bananas, cooked apples or pears/apple sauce, blueberries, melons, oranges
• Cooked, sautéed and steamed veggies (cauliflower mash, steamed green beans, sautéed greens, etc.)
• Starchy tubers (winter squash, cooked and cooled potatoes, carrots)
• Lightly roasted, sauteed, crockpot, baked, boiled meats
• Broiled or baked fish
• Pastured eggs (if you tolerate eggs)
• Healthy fats (avocados, ghee, grass-fed butter, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, etc.)
• Creamy nut butters (macadamia nut, almond, etc.)

NOT THAT:

Avoid “difficult to digest” foods, including:

• Inflammatory foods (gluten/wheat, grains, dairy, sugar, seed oils, soy, fried foods, processed foods)
• Alcohol
• Raw vegetables and raw salads
• Raw fruit with skin or seeds (such as strawberries)
• Whole nuts/seeds
• Beans/legumes
• Popcorn
• Charred/overcooked meats and vegetables

3 Day Sample “Easy to Digest” Meals

Day #1

• Breakfast: Protein Smoothie (beef protein, no-sugar almond/coconut milk, 1/2 banana, sunflower seed butter, cacao powder)
• Lunch: Pulled chicken salad w/ paleo mayo in a butter lettuce wrap, side roasted summer/zucchini squash or fermented vegetables
• Dinner: Baked salmon, boiled red potatoes w/ ghee, steamed asparagus

Day #2

• Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, organic turkey/ham or ground meat, avocado, slice gluten free paleo toast
• Lunch: 16 oz bone broth w/ chicken, sautéed mushrooms and chard
• Dinner: Burger patty, roasted winter squash, sauteed green beans

Day #3

• Breakfast: Protein Smoothie (beef protein, no-sugar almond/coconut milk, berries, nut butter)
• Lunch: Burger bowl: leftover burger patty, wilted greens, winter squash, avocado, paleo Cesar dressing
• Dinner: Crockpot chicken, roasted rainbow carrots, sauteed chard

COLONOSCOPY PREP (24 HOURS BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY)

You have TWO OPTIONS for your prep day—either include solid foods OR just “do liquids” all day.

OPTION #1: EAT “LOW RESIDUE” FOOD FOODS + LIQUIDS 24-HOURS BEFORE PROCEDURE

• Pre-Breakfast: 8 oz mineral water + optional: 8-16 oz Celery Juice
• Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs or Roasted Chicken, Cantaloupe Slices
• Lunch: Baked Salmon or Burger Patties, 1/2 Cup White Rice or 1 Cup Winter Squash, 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Snack: Cup of Bone Broth or Protein Shake (shake up in water) w/ 1/4 Chocolate LMNT Packet
• Dinner: 16 oz Bone Broth, Skinless Chicken Breast
• Dessert: Chocolate “Fudgsicle” (see recipe below) and/or Herbal Tea

OPTION #2: CONSUME LIQUIDS ALL DAY

• Pre-Breakfast: 8 oz mineral water + optional: 8-16 oz Celery Juice
• Breakfast: 16 oz Bone Broth w/ sea salt & collagen peptides
  • Optional: Eat a simple meat and low-residue carb meal if you eat 22-24 hours before the procedure the next day
    • Example: Burger patty(s), avocado slices, sauteed baby bok choy
    • Example: Chicken thighs, 1/2 cup white rice, 1 tbsp grass-fed butter
    • Example: Baked salmon, boiled red potatoes, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Snack: Protein Popsicle or Amino Acids (1 scoop, shake up in water)
• Lunch: 16 oz Bone Broth w/ sea salt
• Snack: Protein Shake (shake up in water) w/ 1/4 Chocolate LMNT Packet
• Dinner: 16 oz Bone Broth w/ sea salt
• Dessert: Homemade Jell-O or LMNT/Protein Popsicles* (see below for recipes)

COLONOSCOPY PREP DIET FOOD LIST

Stock up if you hit the store or online:

HYDRATION

• Mineral Water
• Tea and black coffee (without any milk, cream, etc)
• LMNT Packets (to add to water)
• Celery Juice
• Zevia Ginger Ale
• Coconut Water

LIQUID PROTEINS

• Bone Broth including chicken, beef, or mushroom
• Amino Acids (like these)
• Paleo Protein Powder (here or here)
• LMNT Popsicles or Protein Popsicles (see end of the article for the recipe)
• Homemade Jello-O or other gelatin without fruit (no red or purple dye; see end of the article for the recipe)

SOLID FOODS

Proteins: Chicken, Beef, Fish, Eggs

Carbs: Winter Squash, Summer Squash, Boiled Carrots, White Rice

Potatoes: Red Potatoes, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Fingerling Potatoes

Fruits: Melon, Blueberries, Applesauce/Stewed Apples, Bananas

Healthy Fats: Grassfed Butter, Ghee, Extra Virgin Olive Oil

RECIPES
[1] JELLO

Ingredients

• 2 cups of water
• 1 packet of unflavored gelatin (or about 2.5 teaspoons)
• 1 cup of unsweetened flavored tea or zero-carb electrolyte drink (optional for flavor)
• 1 cup of cold water
• 1-2 tablespoons of your preferred keto-friendly sweetener (such as erythritol, monk fruit sweetener, or stevia) to taste
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional for additional flavor)

Directions

1. Prep the gelatin. In a medium-sized bowl, add 1 cup of cold water. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom.
2. Heat the water. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. If using unsweetened flavored tea or a zero-carb electrolyte drink, you can use 1 cup of boiling water and 1 cup of the flavored drink instead of 2 cups of plain water.
3. Dissolve the Gelatin: Pour the boiling water over the bloomed gelatin and stir until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
4. Sweeten and Flavor: Add your preferred keto-friendly sweetener to taste, stirring until fully dissolved. Add the vanilla extract if using, and stir well. If you want to add food coloring, do so at this stage and stir until the color is evenly distributed.
5. Chill the Mixture: Pour the gelatin mixture into a large dish or individual serving dishes. Place in the refrigerator and let it set for at least 4 hours, or until firm.

FUDGSICLE

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp chocolate protein powder
• 1 tbsp almond butter or sunflower seed butter
• 1 dropper stevia or monk fruit or 1/2 tbsp raw honey
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 16 ounces coconut milk or almond milk

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients well in a blender.
2. Pour into popsicle molds leaving room for expansion.
3. Place in freezer to freeze overnight.

LMNT POPSICLES

Ingredients

• 2 packets LMNT electrolytes flavor of your choice
• 16 ounces water

Directions

1. Mix LMNT and water well.
2. Pour into popsicle molds leaving room for expansion.
3. Place in freezer to freeze overnight.

PROTEIN POPSICLES

Ingredients

• 2 scoops Pure Paleo Protein Powder (chocolate, vanilla or both)
• 16 ounces water or unsweetened almond milk (like MALK)
• Pinch sea salt

Directions

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into popsicle molds leaving room for expansion.
3. Place in freezer to freeze overnight.

Note: If you’re looking for personal support, let’s help you optimize and take your health back into your own hands! Book a complimentary 20-minute Health Strategy Call  today to find out how both myself and my clinic can help you feel good, inside and out.