Gelatin is a staple food in hospital diets, which leaves many people wondering what color jello for colonoscopy is safe to eat, and if you can add fruit to it.
With the heavy restrictions of colonoscopy preparatory diets, one of the easier and more exciting aspects of the pre-colonoscopy diet (low-fiber diet) is enjoying low-fiber treats such as hard candies and gelatin-based treats like Jello. Despite the inclusion, there are certain restrictions regarding consuming gelatin-based treats on a low-fiber diet.
WHAT COLOR JELLO FOR COLONOSCOPY IS PERMISSIBLE
The goal of a pre-colonoscopy diet is to ensure the colon is in optimal condition for a colonoscopy. Optimizing the condition of the colon involves emptying its fecal content and keeping it as low as possible till the colonoscopy is done. One of the ways by which the optimization is achieved is by reducing the intake of dietary fiber in the days leading up to the procedure. Low-fiber foods are recommended for the days before the colonoscopy because they are easily digested and leave minimal residue in the colon. With little to no residue left in the colon, the colonoscope is able to navigate the colon largely unobstructed and with ease.
Jello is permissible for consumption because it is easily absorbed in the digestive tract and leaves almost no residue.
WHAT COLOR JELLO FOR COLONOSCOPY TO AVOID
Are gelatin-based foods such as Jello permissible on a pre-colonoscopy diet? Yes, but not all types are acceptable. Some kinds of Jello to steer clear of include:
- Jello with fruit cuts. These are to be avoided because some fruits, especially seeded fruits or fruits with skins, are rich in fiber, which plays a vital role in producing well-formed stool.
- Jello of specific colors should be avoided as they can stain the colon’s lining, leading to a misdiagnosis. Some examples of these include:
Red Jello
Cherry, Cranberry, Fruit Punch, Raspberry, Strawberry, and Watermelon Jello are all red, and as tempting as it may be to do otherwise, these types of Jello should be avoided when on a clear liquid diet. They should be avoided because the red food dye contained in these treats may be mistaken for blood when viewed with a colonoscope. The false appearance of a bleed can lead to a misdiagnosis and mismanagement.
Blue Jello
Blue Jello, for example, a Blueberry flavored Jello, should also be avoided. The blue dye can stain the lining of the colon and give it a false cyanotic appearance.
Purple Jello
Purple-colored Jello, such as Blackcurrant and Grape flavors, should also be avoided.
Orange and Pink Jello
Although they may appear lighter, orange and pink Jello contain enough dye to present a false picture to the colonoscopy examiner. Hence, Jello flavors like Mango, Apricot, Peach, Orange, and Pomegranate should not be eaten.
WHAT COLOR JELLO FOR COLONOSCOPY YOU CAN ENJOY
Instead of the colors listed above, some Jello colors you can feast on include:
Clear Jello
When it comes to what to drink or snack on when on a clear liquid diet, your best bet is something clear and transparent (a strong exception to this rule of thumb is alcohol. Avoid alcohol when on a clear liquid diet as it may lead to significant dehydration). The white grape flavor falls in this category.
Green Jello
Green Jello, such as lime-flavored Jello, can be eaten as long as there are no pulps in the Jello.
Yellow Jello
Lemon, Pineapple, and other yellow-colored Jello flavors can be enjoyed on a clear liquid diet if there are no solid components such as pulp or fruit cuts.
WHAT COLOR JELLO FOR COLONOSCOPY: OPTIONS
If you buy your Jello from a store, you may opt for brands like Jell-O, Royal Gelatin, Jolly Rancher Gelatin, or Aeroplane jelly. Regardless of whatever brand you choose to patronize, ensure you read the label well and consume only products that your diet permits. Brands that infuse artificial red, blue, or purple dye should be avoided.Â
An alternative to buying Jello from a store is to make it at home by yourself. An advantage of this is that you determine the ingredients and how much of each ingredient makes it into the mixing bowl. Also, you can use actual fruits and their juices rather than artificial flavors and coloring.
Some safe recipes you can enjoy are our Hydrating Coconut Water Jello recipe and our Butterscotch Jello Bites recipe.
CONCLUSION
Jello is a gelatin-based dessert that can help bring some much-needed variety to your pre-colonoscopy diet. However, choosing the Jello of certain color or content can be counterproductive. It is crucial to steer clear of colors like red, purple, blue, orange, and pink. Jello with fruit cuts are also off the menu till after the procedure. The guidelines in this article and those specified by your care team should help you make the right jello choices in the preparatory period.
