Hey folks,
Just thought I’d share something that made my prep a bit easier — hard candy. You can’t have anything red or milky, but clear candies are fair game and honestly helped take the edge off the no-food thing.
I've previously gone with lemon barley sugar and plain peppermint. Peppermint was good for settling the stomach when things got a bit... messy.
Anyway, figured I’d toss that out there. Any other opinions on the best hard candy before colonoscopy? Anyone else find one that helped? Or one to avoid?
Hi Glen and welcome 🙂
Great question! Our resident health professional, Dr Akin, actually has given us an article on this very topic here that is worth checking out:
What Type of Hard Candies Before Colonoscopy Are OK?
https://clearcolondiet.com/what-hard-candies-before-colonoscopy/
However, it would be great to hear other people’s recommendations, as products keep changing and there might be some hidden gems out there!
Just remember the big rules: no red/purple dyes, no dairy/milk, no fibre or other “bits”. If in doubt, read the article at the link above.
Much love,
Christie K
Is it OK to have Werther's Butterscotch candies?
@laura_r_88 I think no. Werther’s Butterscotch have dairy (whey and cream) but you’re not supposed to have dairy on a clear liquid diet.
Butterscotch is *technically* OK if its made in the traditional manner without cream. However, butterscotch candies from the shop (and most recipes too) usually contain milk products or cream.
You might have better luck with caramels... just check the ingredients list on the packaging, and avoid anything that has cream, whey or milk solids.
It’s important to remember when choosing hard candies that are safe to consume during the clear liquid portion of your colonoscopy diet, you should stay away from candies with fillings like soft caramel or chocolate centers (both contain milk products).
One of the most popular choices is Jolly Rancher candies because they are clear and come in a wide variety of different flavors. Although it is true you should stay away from the watermelon and grape varieties, green apple and lemon are perfectly safe options on the clear liquid diet.
When in doubt, you can always rely on trusty Jell-O and other clear gelatin snacks, making sure you avoid any with red, blue, or purple coloring. Not only will these help you fight off the cravings, but they can leave you feeling fuller in the process.
If you're still feeling uncertain, just ask your doctor - they're there to help you after all.
Lemon drops are also a great option for fighting off hunger pangs. From what I’ve read elsewhere, Brach’s Lemon Drops are the go-to for many people preparing for a colonoscopy. But there are other brands too - I bought some generic off-brand ones and they were great.
