“Feeling bloated or gassy after a colonoscopy might also make some people not have a big appetite right away,” Dr. Uradomo adds. “These feelings are normal and should resolve on their own, but contact your doctor if they persist.”
- Applesauce
- Mashed potatoes
- Bananas
- Scrambled eggs without any added dairy products or seasonings
- Yogurt
- Plain, lightly salted, or unseasoned crackers
- White bread
- Chicken noodle soup
- Pudding
- White rice
- Lean proteins like chicken, turkey, soft tofu, or fish
“[Foods like these] help ease digestion and restore balance to the gastrointestinal system after the procedure,” Pothuri says.
Hydration is also extremely important following a colonoscopy. “Patients may be slightly dehydrated from the bowel prep process,” Pothuri says. “Drinking plenty of fluids and consuming foods with high water content helps replenish lost electrolytes and prevent dehydration.”
If you get anesthesia for the procedure, you’ll likely be given intravenous (IV) fluids which help replete fluid loss, says Morgan Allyn Sendzischew Shane, MD, a gastroenterologist with the University of Miami Health System in Florida. “Still, we always recommend patients rehydrate after procedures with whatever they usually use to stay hydrated,” she says.
- Water
- Clear, plain broths
- Herbal tea without cream or milk
- Electrolyte drinks
- Apple juice
If you don’t like the taste of regular water, you can also try diluting some coconut water, Dr. Sendzischew Shane suggests.
“There is no set amount we recommend to drink after a colonoscopy,” she adds. “A good rule of thumb with hydration in general is to watch the color of your urine. If your urine is clear or lightly yellow tinged, you are probably okay. Dark urine indicates that you need to drink more.”
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