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

• Baby wipes instead of toilet paper. Way gentler.
• A little petroleum jelly before things get sore saves you later.
• Loose shorts around the house, skip the tight waistbands.

Nothing fancy, just small stuff that made it more bearable. Anyone have other tips to add?

I’m helping my husband get ready for his colonoscopy next month, and I’m starting to feel more nervous than he is! I’ve been reading all the instructions, but I still worry about him feeling miserable during the fasting part.

His prep day says “clear liquids only,” which I understand — but he’s the type who gets cranky when he’s hungry. He also has mild low blood sugar if he doesn’t eat for a while, so I’m trying to think ahead. I know I can give him things like broth, apple juice, clear sports drinks, and jelly (as long as it’s not red or purple), but is there any trick to keeping the hunger pangs at bay?

Some people say the clear liquids help a lot if they’re warm (like broth) or cold (like ice blocks). Has anyone found certain timing works better — e.g., sipping small amounts regularly rather than having “meals”? I’m also wondering if we can do things like clear protein drinks, or is that risky in case they’re not fully clear?

Does anyone have tips for how to not be hungry before colonoscopy, through the clear liquid prep period?

I want him to be as comfortable as possible while still following the rules 100%. If anyone has practical tips or little “comfort hacks,” I’d be so grateful.

Thanks,
Angie