7-Day Colonoscopy-Prep Meal Plan, Created by a Dietitian

If you’re reading this, chances are your colonoscopy date is etched in your calendar and you’re wondering what to do to prepare. While it’s a standard and common screening tool, there are some nutrition changes required before having a colonoscopy. In this plan, we incorporate the typical pre-colonoscopy nutrition recommendations by avoiding nuts and seeds, as well as any foods that contain them, for seven days prior to a colonoscopy. We also include a low-fiber routine for four days prior to the fasting day. Doing this helps the prep go smoother and ensures the colon is clear for the colonoscopy. Day 7, or the day before your colonoscopy, is a fasting day where it’s recommended to have clear liquids only. You’ll find meal-prep tips and three different calorie levels to choose from. Follow along to get started.

Day 1

Breakfast (447 calories)

A.M. Snack (200 calories)

• 1 medium apple
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted smooth natural peanut butter

Lunch (548 calories)

P.M. Snack (62 calories)

Dinner (536 calories)

Daily Totals: 1,792 calories, 60g fat, 112g protein, 210g carbohydrate, 28g fiber, 2,293mg sodium.

Make it 1,500 calories: Reduce to ¾ cup cantaloupe at breakfast and omit A.M. and P.M. snacks.

Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 2 Tbsp. peanut butter at A.M. snack and add 1 cup low-fat plain kefir to P.M. snack.

Day 2

Breakfast (371 calories)

• 1 cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt 
• ¾ cup sliced ripe banana
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted smooth natural peanut butter

A.M. Snack (186 calories)

• 1 cup seedless grapes
• ½ cup unsalted low-fat cottage cheese

Lunch (548 calories)

P.M. Snack (200 calories)

• 1 medium apple
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted smooth natural peanut butter

Dinner (413 calories)

Evening Snack (62 calories)

Daily Totals: 1,779 calories, 58g fat, 119g protein, 207g carbohydrate, 28g fiber, 1,341mg sodium.

Make it 1,500 calories: Omit P.M. snack and evening snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 2 Tbsp. peanut butter at A.M. snack and add 1 cup low-fat plain kefir to evening snack.

Day 3

Breakfast (447 calories)

A.M. Snack (285 calories)

• 6 soda crackers (such as saltines)
• 2 Tbsp. unsalted smooth natural peanut butter

Lunch (395 calories)

P.M. Snack (151 calories)

• ¾ cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
• ¼ cup canned peaches (in juice)

Dinner (524 calories)

Daily Totals: 1,803 calories, 82g fat, 122g protein, 144g carbohydrate, 14g fiber, 2,274mg sodium.

Make it 1,500 calories: Omit A.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 medium banana with 1 cup low-fat plain kefir as an evening snack.

Day 4

Breakfast (371 calories)

• 1 cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt 
• ¾ cup sliced ripe banana
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted smooth natural peanut butter

A.M. Snack (182 calories)

• 2 large hard-boiled eggs with a pinch of salt & pepper
• ½ cup ripe cantaloupe

Lunch (388 calories)

• 1 serving Low-Carb Chicken Soup
• ½ cup unsalted low-fat cottage cheese
• ½ cup canned peaches (in juice) 

P.M. Snack (285 calories)

• 6 soda crackers (such as saltines)
• 2 Tbsp. unsalted smooth natural peanut butter

Dinner (555 calories)

Daily Totals: 1,781 calories, 73g fat, 125g protein, 145g carbohydrate, 14g fiber, 1,548mg sodium.

Make it 1,500 calories: Omit P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 2 cups pasta at dinner and add 1 cup mandarin oranges with ¾ cup low-fat plain kefir as an evening snack.

Day 5

Breakfast (447 calories)

A.M. Snack (315 calories)

• 1 medium banana
• 2 Tbsp. unsalted smooth natural peanut butter

Lunch (388 calories)

P.M. Snack (160 calories)

• ¾ cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
• ¼ cup canned mandarin oranges (in juice)

Dinner (508 calories)

Daily Totals: 1,818 calories, 68g fat, 132g protein, 167g carbohydrate, 16g fiber, 2,078mg sodium.

Make it 1,500 calories: Omit A.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 slice sourdough or white bread, toasted, with 1 Tbsp. unsalted smooth natural peanut butter as an evening snack.

Day 6

Breakfast (371 calories)

• 1 cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt 
• ¾ cup sliced ripe banana
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted smooth natural peanut butter

A.M. Snack (201 calories)

• 2 large hard-boiled eggs with a pinch of salt & pepper
• ½ cup canned mandarin oranges (in juice)

Lunch (395 calories)

P.M. Snack (285 calories)

• 6 soda crackers (such as saltines)
• 2 Tbsp. unsalted smooth natural peanut butter

Dinner (431 calories)

Evening Snack (115 calories)

• 1 cup low-fat plain kefir

Daily Totals: 1,799 calories, 69g fat, 129g protein, 163g carbohydrate, 15g fiber, 1,730mg sodium.

Make it 1,500 calories: Omit P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 slice sourdough or white bread, toasted, with 1 Tbsp. unsalted smooth natural peanut butter to evening snack.

Day 7

Tomorrow is your colonoscopy. Today is the day when most medical providers recommend you begin your prescribed bowel-prep routine to help clear the colon. Typically, it’s recommended to follow a clear liquid diet on this day. Clear liquids are any liquids you can see through, which includes electrolyte drinks, broth, juice, black coffee and tea, fruit-flavored popsicles and smooth Jell-o. You should avoid anything that is red or purple, like cranberry juice or cherry popsicles, as they may look like blood in the colon and can lead to inaccurate results. Be sure to connect with a health care professional if you have any questions or concerns about your prep.

Nutrition Tips to Prep for a Colonoscopy

When you’re prepping for a colonoscopy, your medical provider will likely give you a list of guidelines to follow for the days leading up to the procedure. It’s important to follow these guidelines carefully to ensure that your colonoscopy goes smoothly and the results are accurate. While guidelines may vary depending on the medical facility, it’s generally recommended to avoid nuts and seeds, as well as any foods that may contain them, for about seven days prior. Foods with seeds or kernels include berries, cucumbers, tomato, zucchini, many whole-grain breads, bagels and popcorn. Smooth nut butters are typically considered OK to eat.

Because high-fiber foods are more difficult to digest, it’s often recommended to limit them for the three to five days leading up to a colonoscopy. This helps make sure your colon is clear for your procedure. Foods to limit on these days include oatmeal, whole grains, nuts, seeds, raw fruits and vegetables with skin, and crunchy nut butters. In this plan, the first two days are aligned with a standard healthy eating pattern. You’ll find some lower-fiber options, like seedless fruits and sourdough bread, to ease into the rest of the week. Days 3 through 6 follow a lower-fiber routine, focus primarily on protein and include more tender, lower-fiber vegetables, such as well-cooked carrots, spinach and mushrooms. It’s typically recommended to follow a low-fiber diet for three to five days prior to the fasting day. For this plan, we chose to incorporate a low-fiber routine for four days. On Day 7, the day before your colonoscopy, it’s often recommended to follow a clear-liquid diet. Liquids typically allowed on a clear liquid diet include water, black coffee, broth and lemonade. You should avoid red or purple liquids, as these colors can mimic the look of blood and can impair the accuracy of the procedure.

These are general recommendations. Please follow the guidelines outlined by your medical team because individual guidelines, including foods to eat and foods to avoid, may vary depending on the medical facility completing your colonoscopy.