Make your colonoscopy prep a little sweeter with candies! Discover which hard candies before colonoscopy are OK, and which ones you should avoid.
Preparing for a colonoscopy is no walk in the park, which is why many people planning a procedure ask for hard candies before colonoscopy. And understandably so. After all, a colonoscopy involves strict dietary regulations that must be adhered to in the days leading up to the procedure. At least 24 hours before a colonoscopy, the infamous clear liquid diet is commenced.
While this diet allows only clear fluid meals, as dreadful as it may sound, it can actually be an enjoyable experience – considering that you can eat candies completely guilt-free for an entire day. However, when choosing suitable hard candies, adequate knowledge concerning what is permissible and what is not allowed on a clear liquid diet is vital. In this article, we will focus specifically on answering the clear liquid diet question: what type of hard candies are okay before a colonoscopy?
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 June 2024, and updated in August 2025 to improve reader usefulness and readability.
Suitable Hard Candies Before Colonoscopy
Hard candies are a widely accepted alternative to other sweet treats such as gummy bears and chewing gum before your colonoscopy. However, hard candies consumed the day before a colonoscopy must meet some criteria before they are deemed suitable for a clear liquid diet. Some of these criteria include:
Hard candies should be free of dairy
Milk and milk-based products are not permissible on a clear liquid diet. Beverages and confectionaries like coffee, tea, and candy can be enjoyed on a clear liquid diet as long as they do not contain milk, as milk is not considered a clear liquid. Read more about why milk is not permitted here.
Hard candies must not contain fruit cuts or other solids
When enjoying hard candies before a colonoscopy, they must not contain fruit cuts or chunks.
Some common examples of candies that can be enjoyed on a clear liquid diet are:
- Lifesavers
- Jolly Ranchers
- Lemon drops.
Hard Candies Before Colonoscopy: What To Avoid
Certain types of hard candies are best avoided when preparing for a colonoscopy. Avoiding these hard candies may be due to various reasons, from their colors to their composition or ingredients. Here are some types of hard candies to avoid before a colonoscopy:
Avoid Hard Candies with Fillings
A clear liquid diet does not allow hard candies with solid fillings, particularly those rich in fiber, such as nuts. Dairy-based fillings are also not allowed.
Avoid Hard Candies with Artificial Colors
Hard candies with artificial colors, particularly red, blue, and purple, are best avoided on a clear liquid diet. These colors may stain the lining of the colon and give a misleading appearance when observed during colonoscopy. A red stain could be mistaken for blood or inflammation, and a blue stain could be misinterpreted as a sign of necrosis (death of the affected tissue).
Is Butterscotch Hard Candy Allowed Before a Colonoscopy?
Butterscotch hard candies before colonoscopy are a perfect choice if they are of the traditional Scottish variety that is made primarily from sugar, butter, and water. It typically does not contain milk or any dairy products. However, over the years, different people and candy factories have customized the recipes to suit their tastes – and that of their consumers. Therefore, while the traditional Butterscotch hard candy is permissible before colonoscopy, it is advisable that you check the ingredients on the label before treating yourself to one, as many modern variations contains milk products such as whey.
Alternatives for Sweet Cravings
If you are craving something sweet but want to avoid the pitfalls of choosing the wrong hard candy, you can consider treating yourself to alternatives like:
- Jellos: These gelatin-based treats are safe as long as they aren’t red, blue, or purple, and they do not contain fruit cuts.
- Homemade Gummy Candies: Try our easy recipe for colonoscopy prep suitable Gummy Candies to ensure they don’t contain off-limits additives.
- Popsicles: These fruit-flavored icy treats are not only sweet but also refreshing and hydrating. Make sure you choose popsicles without pulp, seeds, or fruit chunks.
- Flavored Water: Clear, naturally flavored water, such as fruit-flavored water, is another great solution for sweet cravings on a colonoscopy prep diet.
- Butterscotch Jello Bites: Try our recipe for clear liquid diet safe Butterscotch Jello Bites to satisfy that sweet tooth.
Conclusion
Variety is indeed the spice of the clear liquid diet. Keeping your food options fun, tasty, clear, and fibre-free is an excellent strategy for having a successful and enjoyable colonoscopy preparation experience. However, ask your doctor for medical and dietary advice tailored to your unique medical needs.
