Naomi here again — retired aged care worker, veteran of many preps (both professional and personal 😅).

Let’s be honest — the hardest part of colonoscopy prep isn’t the fasting, it’s getting through that prep drink. I remember thinking, “How bad can it be?” … and then I took my first sip. Let’s just say I was motivated to find ways to make it a little less awful!

So I thought I’d share some tried-and-true tips that worked for me — and for many of my former residents — to make the prep solution easier to get down.

Naomi’s Tips for How to Make Colonoscopy Prep Taste Better

Chill it within an inch of its life

Keep the prep liquid really cold — almost icy. Warm or room-temperature prep is so much worse. Cold helps dull the taste buds and cuts that salty/medicinal flavour. If you can, refrigerate it overnight or pop the glass in the freezer for 10–15 minutes before each dose.

Use a straw... and aim for the back of your mouth

Sounds silly, but this one’s gold. Drinking through a straw helps the liquid bypass most of your taste buds. Aim for the back of your tongue, swallow quickly, and try not to breathe through your nose at the same time. (Harder than it sounds, but worth it!)

Chase it with something clear and pleasant

After each sip or glass, immediately follow with a “chaser” — something allowed on a clear liquid diet, like:

• A sip of clear apple juice
• A spoonful of clear jelly
• A mouthful of lemonade ice block or icy pole (white or yellow only — no red or purple dyes!)
  The sweetness balances the salty taste nicely.

Try flavour packets carefully

If your doctor says it’s okay, you can use a lemon or citrus-flavoured electrolyte powder (no dyes, of course) or even a few drops of clear lemon cordial. Avoid strong colours, but light yellow or clear flavours are usually fine. Just check labels and make sure they're clear!

Take small breaks if you need to

If the taste really gets to you, take short pauses — even 5 minutes can help reset your tolerance. The key is finishing within the time your instructions allow, but you don’t have to chug it all in one go.

Distraction helps!

Put on a light show, a podcast, or a playlist you like while drinking it. I found that focusing on the music rather than the clock made it go faster. And don’t underestimate a good bit of self-talk — “this is temporary, this is self-care, this will be over soon.”

I promise, once you get through it, you’ll be proud of yourself — and you’ll feel surprisingly clear-headed afterward (literally and figuratively!).

If anyone else has tricks that helped — different flavours, pacing methods, or even funny stories about your prep day — please share them below.

Let’s make this part of the process just a little easier for everyone coming after us. 💛

Warmly,

Naomi

“Trying to stick to the colonoscopy prep rules—does anyone know if a little soy sauce is allowed in clear broth? Since it’s very dark, I’m not sure if it’s OK or not.”

A: This is an excellent question because the rules around “clear liquids” can get confusing.

The concern is mainly about dark or red liquids, such as grape juice, cola, or tomato-based products, that can stain the lining of the colon or make it harder for the doctor to see clearly.

Soy sauce itself is not a clear liquid. It’s dark-colored and opaque, so if you drink it straight, it wouldn’t meet the “clear liquid” standard your doctor expects during colonoscopy prep.

However, a small amount of soy sauce added to broth as flavouring is usually okay as long as the broth remains transparent. For example, a light splash in chicken or vegetable broth for flavor is fine. If you add so much soy sauce that you can no longer see through the broth, it is no longer safe for consumption.

In conclusion, do not drink soy sauce alone; a dash in clear broth to improve taste is generally acceptable. Just don’t overdo it so the broth stays light and see-through.

Source:

Glen Garry Gastroenterology https://glengarrygastroenterology.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Oliver-Duncan-Bowel-prep-instructions-AM-1.pdf

I’m Naomi – retired aged care worker here, now in my late 60s. I’ve helped countless residents through medical preps over the years, and have gone through a colonoscopy myself. Like most of you probably know by now, those clear-liquid diet days before the procedure can be rough — especially if you’re craving something savoury.

I decided to put my years of broth-making experience to good use and came up with what I honestly think is the best-tasting broth for clear liquid diet that’s still gentle, colonoscopy-prep safe, and easy to sip throughout the day.

Here’s my recipe — it’s simple, but it’s all about balance and clarity (both literally and flavour-wise!).

Naomi’s Comforting Clear Broth (Colonoscopy Prep Friendly)

Quantity: about 6 cups

Ingredients:

• 2 small chicken drumsticks (or wings) — skin and fat trimmed
• 6 cups water
• 1 small carrot (cut into big chunks, for flavour only — remove before serving)
• 1 stick celery (same deal — remove before serving)
• ¼ small onion (optional, just for aroma, not enough to cloud the broth)
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce (optional, for colour and depth – check label, no solids)
• 1 sprig parsley or a small bay leaf (optional, for fragrance)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the chicken pieces under cold water to remove any bone fragments.
2. Add everything to a medium pot and bring it to a gentle boil.
3. Once boiling, reduce to a very low simmer. You’ll see a bit of foam rise to the top — skim this off carefully so your broth stays clear.
4. Simmer uncovered for about 1½ hours. Don’t rush it; slow cooking brings out the flavour without clouding the liquid.
5. Strain the broth through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container.
6. Taste and add a touch more salt if needed.
7. Cool and refrigerate. Once chilled, you can lift off any fat that solidifies on top to keep it ultra-clear.

Tips from my years in care:

• If you’re not a fan of chicken, you can swap it for beef bones or vegetable stock cubes (clear ones only!).
• When prepping for colonoscopy, avoid anything cloudy — that means no potato, no tomato, and no blended veggie bits.
• If you get tired of plain broth, sip it warm from a mug like tea. It’s comforting and helps stave off that “hungry cranky” feeling.

It’s savoury, a bit salty, smells lovely, and doesn’t taste like hospital food!
Hope it helps someone else out there — I’d love to hear what tweaks others have made to keep things tasty but clear.

Warm wishes,
-Naomi

“My hubby is getting ready for his colonoscopy and loves pickle juice (weird, I know!). Can you tell me if pickle juice is okay on the clear liquid diet before a colonoscopy? It’s technically clear, right? But I’m also worried that it might be too harsh for his gut, I mean, it’s basically vinegar. Please help!”

A: I appreciate how much thought you have put into this, regarding the clarity of pickle juice and the possible effects on the gut. While the rules around the clear liquid diet can sometimes get tricky, we can conclusively rule out pickle juice for two reasons.

The first reason pickle juice is not permissible is directly related to its clarity. Even though pickle juice may look see-through in a glass, it doesn’t qualify as a true “clear liquid” for colonoscopy prep. Pickle juice contains suspended particles from spices and herbs that do not fully dissolve and often leave residue in the colon.

Secondly, pickle juice is highly acidic due to the acetic acid from the vinegar used in the pickling process, and that can be bad news for the gut, as you rightly pointed out in your question. Doctors advise against taking acidic juices on a clear liquid diet because it could cause bloating, cramping, or nausea, especially since the colon and stomach are already sensitive while being cleansed.

In place of pickle juice, permissible clear-liquid options include water, clear broths, electrolyte drinks (like Gatorade), coconut water, apple juice, herbal teas, or plain gelatin—these hydrate without irritating the digestive tract.

In conclusion, avoiding pickle juice on a clear-liquid diet is best. If your husband wants something flavourful, a warm, clear broth is a safer way to keep things interesting.

Source:

Medical News Today https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318618

“I’m still four days out from my colonoscopy—should I already be changing my diet? What’s safe to eat this early in the prep?”

A: This is quite an interesting question you have posed. Most doctors recommend commencement of the colonoscopy prep diet 3 days before the date of the procedure. However, a fair number of authorities suggest starting 4 days prior. Hence, it wouldn't be too early for you to change your diet four days out from your colonoscopy.

If you decide to start the pre-colonoscopy diet 4 days before your procedure, you want to eat low-fiber foods. This helps reduce residue in the colon and makes your prep easier and more effective.

Permissible Foods

• Grains: White bread, plain bagels, white rice, plain pasta, low-fiber cereals (like cornflakes)
  
• Proteins: Eggs, skinless chicken, turkey, lean beef, fish, tofu, smooth nut butters (no chunks)
  
• Fruits: Apple juice, applesauce, fruits without skin and seeds
  
• Vegetables (well-cooked, without skins/seeds): Carrots, zucchini, peeled potatoes
  
• Other: Plain crackers, broth-based soups (without beans or fibrous veggies), water

Foods to Avoid

• Whole grains (brown rice, whole wheat bread, bran cereal)
• Nuts, seeds, popcorn
• Raw veggies, especially broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, or salads
• Fruit with skin or seeds (berries, apples, grapes, figs)
• Beans, lentils, legumes
• Fried, spicy, or greasy foods

In conclusion to your question "What to eat 4 days before colonoscopy?", 4 days out, it’s not too early to start adjusting. Eating low-fiber foods now will make your prep smoother and your colonoscopy more accurate. Ultimately, you want to follow your doctor's instructions on when to commence the dietary adjustments.

Sources:

St Johns - Health: https://www.stjohns.health/services/endoscopy/colonoscopy/colonoscopy-instructions/before-your-colonoscopy/

The first time, I thought a hot coffee would be the perfect pick-me-up after all that fasting. Nope. About an hour later I had strong cramps and had to make a dash to the bathroom again.

Next time around, I figured it might have been a fluke — so I tried coffee again. Same result. That’s when it clicked that maybe I shouldn’t drink coffee after colonoscopy.

After some digging around online, I think it’s a combo of factors: your gut’s squeaky clean and still irritated from the prep, and coffee is a strong stimulant that gets everything moving fast.

Anyone else had this experience, or know what’s happening?

I usually have oatmeal for breakfast. Just wondering, can I eat oatmeal after colonoscopy? Or is it too heavy for the gut right away? I don’t want to upset my stomach after all that prep.

Thanks in advance!

“I’m prepping for a colonoscopy in a few days—does anyone know if plain canned tuna is okay to eat beforehand?”

Answer:

Yes, plain canned tuna is usually allowed in the days leading up to your colonoscopy. To be more specific, canned tuna is fine during the low-fiber diet phase. For obvious reasons, it has to be stopped when switching to clear liquids the day before the procedure.

Here’s why:

Tuna is a lean protein with no skin, seeds, or tough fiber, so that it won’t leave residue in the colon. It’s easy to digest and provides good energy and protein while you’re cutting back on high fiber foods.

However, there are some things to consider when eating tuna before your colonoscopy. Here are helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Stick to plain, canned tuna in water or brine, not oil, sauces, or spicy mixes, which can add extra fat, slow digestion, and increase colon residue.
• Avoid mixing it with raw vegetables, whole-grain bread, or high-fiber add-ins. If you want to make it a meal, combine it with plain white bread and white rice, which are low in fiber.
• The day before your procedure, you’ll need to switch to a clear liquid diet only (broth, tea, apple juice, sports drinks, gelatin, etc.). No tuna is permitted at this point.

In conclusion, canned tuna is a safe, low-fiber protein source in the low-fiber diet stage before colonoscopy prep, but not once you’ve started the clear-liquid phase.

Source:

• Healthline https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-canned-tuna-healthy