The day of your colonoscopy has finally arrived and while the preparation period has taken its toll on your body, the only thing you have left to do is to decide on a light breakfast before colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that helps doctors visualize the colon. This visual information helps medical practitioners identify pathologies such as colorectal cancers, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis. It is crucial to the procedure’s success that you only take a light breakfast before the colonoscopy procedure.
SIGNIFICANCE OF A LIGHT BREAKFAST BEFORE COLONOSCOPY
A light breakfast on the morning of the test is the last step of your dietary preparation.
A light breakfast before colonoscopy ensures doctors do not misinterpret or miss findings in the colon. Therefore, it optimizes visibility, improves accuracy and prevents unwanted outcomes like rescheduling. A light breakfast also provides hydration and nourishment, giving individuals enough strength to undergo the procedure and recover well afterwards.
WHEN SHOULD A LIGHT BREAKFAST ON THE DAY OF THE COLONOSCOPY STOP?
Medical guidelines only permit a light breakfast before colonoscopy up to a certain point.
Generally, individuals must stop drinking clear fluids 2-4 hours before their colonoscopy. This guarantees that the colon is completely clear at the scheduled time. Be sure to confirm the precise number of hours before the colonoscopy you are to stop all intake with your doctor.
TIPS FOR A LIGHT BREAKFAST BEFORE COLONOSCOPY
Many might wonder, “What is a light breakfast before a colonoscopy?” To shed light on this important question, let’s consider these helpful tips for choosing the right meal before your test.
No Solid Food
Enjoying a light breakfast on the day of your colonoscopy requires that you consume no solid food whatsoever. Fluids should have no solid particles such as pulp, fruits, or leaves. This is especially important because you are only hours away from your test.
Avoid Coloured Drinks
On the day of your colonoscopy, it is advisable that you only take clear, colourless drinks. Colours like red and purple are especially notorious for staining the linings of the colon and interfering with the healthcare provider’s interpretation.
Stay Hydrated
The bowel preparation medications will induce frequent passage of stools. Ensure you choose fluids that hydrate you properly to prevent thirst, dizziness, and headaches that may come with dehydration.
Prioritize Electrolytes
The constant stooling will cause your body to lose electrolytes. So, your light breakfast should replace these vital nutrients. By maintaining electrolyte balance, you will prevent dehydration and maintain energy levels until you can go back to your regular diet.
A STRUCTURED LIGHT BREAKFAST BEFORE COLONOSCOPY
Let’s list some foods that meet the criteria for inclusion in the breakfast plan on colonoscopy day. They include:
- Water
- Light-coloured soda slushie
- Clear fruit juice
- Clear gelatin
- Low-sugar Limeade slushie
- Coconut water jello
- Fruit juice jello
- Clear chicken, vegetable, or beef broth
- Clear soda or sports drinks
All these liquid foods must be properly strained and as clear or light-coloured as possible. You can find detailed recipes for preparing some of the nutritious drinks listed above here.
Now, let us create a structured meal plan around these foods for the morning of your procedure.
EARLY MORNING (12 am – 6 am)
- Stay hydrated with as many sips of water as possible
- Get some much-needed electrolytes with a glass of clear fruit juice.
MORNING (6 am – 8 am)
- A breakfast of fat-free, well-strained chicken broth is a good choice for a morning meal.
- Hydrate your body with an electrolyte-rich, cool glass of coconut water.
MID MORNING (8 am – 10 am)
- Energize your body with a bottle of a clear soda like Sprite.
- Take some more sips of water to quench any sensation of thirst.
LATE MORNING (10 am – 12 pm)
- Do not eat anything!
Note that this meal plan assumes a colonoscopy scheduled for 12 pm in the afternoon. It also assumes instructions to stop all intake two hours before the procedure. If this matches your schedule, feel free to follow this meal plan exactly as it is. However, if your procedure is scheduled for a different time or your doctor instructs you to stop eating three or four hours before your procedure, you will need to make adjustments to this sample meal plan.
CONCLUSION
Taking a light breakfast before colonoscopy is the final step in your clear liquid diet plan. It is important that you plan this breakfast with discipline, consuming only clear liquids and stopping intake when your doctor specifies. This ensures your colonoscopy goes smoothly, and your doctor can detect the presence or absence of a pathology in your colon.
