What is clear broth colonoscopy soup exactly? What makes soup colonoscopy-friendly or not? Learn the answer, plus some clear soup brand and recipe recommendations to make your prep easier.

When preparing for your upcoming colonoscopy, making sure you get adequate nutrition by consuming foods that will not adversely affect your results is critical. Therefore, proper preparation for colonoscopy typically involves adhering to specific dietary guidelines. One such guideline is the strict consumption of only low-fiber foods followed by a clear liquid diet in the days leading up to the colonoscopy. And one of the most recommended foods during the clear liquid diet for successful colonoscopy preparation is clear broth.

But what exactly constitutes ‘clear broth’. In essence, a clear broth is a nutrient-rich liquid that provides essential hydration and nourishment, while minimizing the amount of fiber consumed. In this article, we explore and explain what is clear broth colonoscopy prep soup, its significance in colonoscopy preparation, types of clear broth, recommended ingredients, and permissible homemade recipes. 

This article is part of our Complete Guide to Colonoscopy Preparation, which includes a full prep timeline, diet guidelines, and practical tips.

This article was originally published in February 2024, and updated in August 2025 to improve reader usefulness and readability.

Why Is Clear Broth Recommended?

When preparing for a colonoscopy, it is essential to prepare your bowel for the procedure adequately, and the days leading up to the procedure are crucial during a colonoscopy preparation. You will have to follow a strict diet regimen, and only a few foods qualify to be consumed on the recommended diets (even fewer foods on a clear liquid diet than on a low-fiber diet). This preparation includes using medications such as laxatives and mechanical measures such as an enema to empty the colon significantly, as well as the strict consumption of low-fiber foods to reduce the accumulation of residue in the colon. For a more detailed explanation of what you can eat when preparing for a colonoscopy, visit our article Before Colonoscopy: What Can I Eat on a Clear Liquid Diet?

But for now, let’s focus on soup. Specifically, what is clear broth colonoscopy -friendly soup, and why is it so often recommended for colonoscopy prep?

• NO FIBER: Clear broths contain little to no fiber. After cooking, straining the liquid helps eliminate fiber alongside other solid particles from the soup. The absence of fiber in broth makes it permissible for consumption when preparing for a colonoscopy.
• HYDRATING: They are hydrating. Clear broths are made mostly of water, which counterbalances the dehydrating effects of drug-induced diarrhea and enemas. The high water content also helps to maintain homeostasis – that is, the normal internal environment of the body.
• NUTRITIOUS: They are nutritious. Depending on how you cook yours or the ingredients used to make a pre-packed bowl, a serving of clear broth can be quite nutritious. For example, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, a 100g serving of chicken broth provides essential minerals such as Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, and Phosphorus, which will serve you well during your colonoscopy preparation.

What Is Clear Broth Colonoscopy Soup?

What Is Clear Broth Colonoscopy Prep Soup Made From?

Clear broth is a strained liquid prepared by simmering meat, poultry, fish, or vegetables in water with added seasonings. The resulting liquid is then strained to remove solid particles, producing a clear and tasty broth. While clear broth lacks solid pieces of food, it still retains valuable nutrients, electrolytes, and hydration, making it an excellent choice of food, especially during the clear liquid diet phase of colonoscopy preparation.

What Is Clear Broth Colonoscopy Prep Soup? Permissible Options

As the name suggests, clear soups are soups that appear transparent. Clear soups are a suitable choice of food when on a low-fiber diet or a clear liquid diet because they have little to no fiber content, hence the transparent consistency. However, the importance of clear soups on a low-fiber diet or a clear liquid diet does not lie in the transparency of the soup itself but in what the transparency denotes. Transparency signifies that it contains no fiber or solid particles that could interfere with the colonoscopy procedure.

According to the Princeton Gastroenterology Associates consommés are clear soups that can be eaten on a pre-colonoscopy diet. Bone broths are suitable for colonoscopy prep, as long as they are free of residue.

Consommé Recipes:

• RECIPE: Duck Consommé
• RECIPE: Chicken Consommé
• RECIPE: Beef Consommé
• RECIPE: Seafood Consommé
• RECIPE: Vegetable Consommé

An interesting and lesser-known variation is jellied consommé. Jellied consommé is a regular consommé that has been thickened with gelatin. This produces a heartier meal option during colonoscopy prep, that is rich in protein, and can be eaten hot or cold. Some recipes for jellied consommé are:

• RECIPE: Traditional Jellied Consommé
• RECIPE: Quick & Easy Jellied Consommé
• RECIPE: Pork & Apple Jellied Consommé
• RECIPE: Chicken & Leek Jellied Consommé

Store-Bought Options:

If you would rather buy from a store rather than make yours at home, here are a few store-bought options you can consider:

• Good & Gather Organic No Salt Added Chicken Bone Broth provides a flavorful and robust roasted chicken flavor.
• Pacific Foods Organic Bone Broth Chicken Unsalted provides a light chicken flavor with dashes of vegetables and spices.
• Imagine Organic Free Range Chicken Broth Low Sodium is also a popular choice.

Popular Clear Broth Colonoscopy Prep Soups

Beef & Bone Broth

High-quality meaty bones are used to make the perfect base for a bone broth. Most of the nutrients of a bone broth come from the gradual conversion of collagen into gelatin after being simmered for several hours (about 12 hours on average). Bone broth is a good protein, collagen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin A source. Recipes include:

• RECIPE: Beef Consomme for Clear Liquid Diet
• RECIPE: Vietnamese Beef Pho
• RECIPE: Classic Colonoscopy Beef Broth (Bone Broth)

Healthy recipes that can be employed for a tantalizing bowl of bone broth on a pre-colonoscopy diet include our Chicken bone broth and Beef bone broth recipes.

For more clear broth and soup recipes, download our Clear Colon Diet Colonoscopy Prep Recipe eBook (PDF).

Chicken Broth

Chicken broth is a classic choice of clear soup when preparing for a colonoscopy. It is high in protein, vitamins, and minerals and low in fat and fiber. A pot of chicken broth is made by boiling chicken and vegetables and seasoning in water for an extended period. This extended period of boiling extracts the flavors and nutrients from the ingredients, creating a rich and flavorful liquid that can be enjoyed on a colonoscopy preparatory diet. Be sure to sieve out all solid particles from the broth before consuming it. Recipes include:

• RECIPE: Chicken & Leek Jellied Consomme
• RECIPE: Chicken Consomme for Clear Liquid Diet
• RECIPE: Clear Chicken Broth for Colonoscopy (Bone Broth)

Vegetable Broth

Vegetable broth is prepared by simmering various vegetables such as carrots, celery, onions, and herbs in water. It offers a light, refreshing option for those seeking a plant-based alternative. You should try our gut-healing vegetable broth recipe for a delicious experience.

Can you eat ramen broth before a colonoscopy?

Ramen Noodle Broth is an example of a broth that should be avoided on a clear liquid diet. Although a popular and enjoyable broth, Ramen noodle broth is discouraged when preparing for a colonoscopy because of its high sodium content, which can predispose to dehydration. Some store-bought ramen noodle broths also contain excess monosodium glutamate (MSG), which can hurt the stomach.

Ingredients to Avoid in Colonoscopy Prep Clear Broth

Whether you choose to make your clear soup or buy from a store, avoiding certain ingredients is important.

• Excess Sodium: Sodium is the predominant component of salt. So, when making your clear soup at home, avoid using too much salt, as this may lead to dehydration. When choosing store-bought soup, it is advisable to choose low-sodium products.
• Potatoes: Potatoes (and many other starchy foods) can leave behind some fiber in your broth, clouding its consistency and making it less suitable for consumption, particularly on a clear liquid diet.
• Tomatoes: While a common ingredient in soups, tomatoes are high in fiber and should be avoided when making or buying a clear broth. Tomato sauces and concentrates should also be avoided, due to their red coloring.

While clear broth and clear liquid soups can provide nourishment and hydration during colonoscopy preparation, it is essential to adhere to the specific instructions provided by your healthcare professional. Consult with your doctor or registered dietitian to ensure you are correctly following the diet adapted to your health needs. Adhering to these instructions will help optimize the effectiveness of the colonoscopy and provide the best possible outcome.

Conclusion

The importance of dietary workup when preparing for a colonoscopy cannot be overstated. When preparing for a colonoscopy, what you feed on matters, as there is an “ideal” state the colon must be in for a colonoscopy to be successful. Clear soups (particularly clear broths) are crucial in colonoscopy preparation. But what is clear broth colonoscopy soup exactly? Basically these are simply clear, transparent soups that provide hydration, essential nutrients, and taste during the low-fiber and clear liquid diet phase. Understanding the significance of clear broth and exploring various clear liquid soup options can help you easily navigate the pre-colonoscopy diet. Remember to follow your healthcare professional’s instructions for optimal results.