Example of a White Diet and When to Follow It

November 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to dental professionals, the first 48 hours after a teeth whitening procedure are critical for preventing new stains from setting in. Following a white diet is the primary strategy to protect this initial investment and preserve your brighter smile. But this dietary approach is also used for other medical purposes, such as preparing for a colonoscopy or managing a sensitive digestive system.

Quick Summary

A white diet consists of light-colored, non-staining foods, primarily used after teeth whitening, but also as a low-residue option for colonoscopy preparation and soothing a sensitive stomach. It excludes brightly colored foods and drinks that contain pigments, spices, and high fiber content to prevent staining and aid digestion.

Key Points

Purpose: A white diet is a temporary eating plan primarily used after teeth whitening, for colonoscopy preparation, or to soothe a sensitive digestive system.
Foods to Include: Focus on light-colored, non-staining foods such as skinless chicken, white rice, peeled potatoes, plain yogurt, and milk.
Foods to Avoid: Steer clear of brightly colored foods, dark sauces, coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and pigmented spices that can stain or irritate.
Teeth Whitening: A white diet is crucial for the first 48 hours to 2 weeks after teeth whitening to prevent re-staining due to increased enamel porosity.
Bowel Preparation: For colonoscopies, the diet serves as a low-residue approach to ensure the bowel is clear of any brightly colored material.
Digestive Issues: It is used to ease symptoms of gastritis, gastroenteritis, or post-operative healing by consuming bland, easily digestible foods.
Duration Varies: The length of the diet depends on the reason, from 2 days for dental procedures to several weeks for GI recovery, and should always be medically advised.

What is a white diet?

A white diet is a temporary, short-term dietary plan that focuses on consuming foods and liquids that are white, beige, or pale in color. It is not a weight loss diet but a specialized approach used in specific medical and cosmetic circumstances. The core principle behind the diet is to avoid any food or drink with strong pigments that could cause staining or irritation. This includes brightly colored vegetables, dark fruits, and deeply colored sauces. The duration of a white diet varies, depending on the reason it is being followed, from as short as 48 hours for teeth whitening to longer periods for managing gastrointestinal issues.

Example meal plan for a white diet

To illustrate what an example of a white diet looks like, here is a simple menu plan based on foods commonly recommended for post-whitening or sensitive stomach situations.

Day 1

Breakfast: Plain oatmeal with milk and sliced banana.
Lunch: White bread sandwich with skinless chicken breast and mayonnaise.
Dinner: Plain grilled white fish, served with boiled, peeled potatoes, and a side of steamed cauliflower.
Snacks: Plain yogurt, cottage cheese, rice crackers.
Drinks: Water, milk.

Day 2

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs (using only egg whites) and a glass of milk.
Lunch: White pasta with a light, creamy white sauce (like Alfredo, without herbs) and turkey breast.
Dinner: A creamy potato and leek soup (blended until smooth).
Snacks: Vanilla pudding, rice pudding.
Drinks: Water, clear soda (like Sprite), apple juice without pulp.

Key foods to include and avoid

Allowed Foods: Chicken breast (skinless), white fish (cod, tilapia), white rice, plain pasta, potatoes (peeled), white bread, oats, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, milk, white cheese (mozzarella, ricotta), egg whites, bananas, pears, and clear broths.
Foods to Avoid: Coffee, tea, red wine, dark sodas, tomato-based sauces, berries, chocolate, colorful vegetables (carrots, spinach), red meat, colored spices (turmeric, paprika), and fruit juices with pulp.

Comparison: White diet vs. regular diet


Aspect	White Diet	Regular Diet
Purpose	Temporary, protective, or therapeutic	Long-term, balanced nutrition
Food Color	Restricted to white, pale, and beige	No restrictions on food color
Staining Potential	Low; avoids deeply colored foods	High; includes pigments that can stain
Digestive Impact	Low residue, easy to digest for sensitive systems	Varied, includes high fiber and spices
Common Use	Post-teeth whitening, colonoscopy prep, GI issues	General health, weight management
Example Meal	Plain chicken and white rice	Spiced chicken with tomato sauce and brown rice

Common applications of a white diet

A white diet serves several important purposes beyond simply protecting dental work. Each application has slightly different considerations for the types of foods included.

After teeth whitening

This is one of the most common reasons for following a white diet. The procedure makes tooth enamel more porous and sensitive to staining for a short period. The diet, typically followed for 48 hours to 14 days, minimizes exposure to food and drink with strong colors.

Colonoscopy preparation

For a few days leading up to a colonoscopy, a low-residue white diet is often recommended. The goal is to clear the bowels and ensure no brightly colored residue is left behind, which could compromise the procedure's results. White or pale foods that are low in fiber are chosen for this reason.

Sensitive digestive system

Individuals with gastroenteritis, gastritis, or those recovering from certain surgeries may be advised to follow a bland, white diet. This approach is gentle on the stomach and easy to digest. Foods are typically cooked and low in fiber and fat, which helps soothe an irritated gastrointestinal tract.

How to safely follow a white diet

Following a white diet requires careful planning, but it doesn't have to be boring. Here are some tips:

Plan Ahead: Create a meal plan for the required duration to ensure you have suitable food options ready. This prevents temptations from reaching for non-compliant foods.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water. If you can't go without a beverage like coffee, consider using a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.
Spice it Right: Use salt and white pepper for seasoning, but avoid dark spices like curry, paprika, or chili powder. Plain sauces, like a basic white sauce made from milk, are acceptable.
Consider Cooking Methods: Choose cooking methods that don't add color, such as boiling, steaming, or grilling.
Consult a Professional: For longer durations or complex medical conditions, always consult a dentist, doctor, or dietitian. They can provide personalized advice and ensure you are meeting your nutritional needs, especially for children or those with chronic conditions.

Conclusion

An example of a white diet is a focused, short-term dietary approach consisting of light-colored foods like plain chicken, white rice, and milk. It serves several practical purposes, most notably protecting a bright smile after teeth whitening and ensuring a clear field for medical procedures like a colonoscopy. By following a few simple rules, this temporary diet can be easy to adhere to and can significantly improve outcomes in various medical and cosmetic situations. For most people, the white diet is a temporary measure, and resuming a full, balanced diet is recommended after the designated period. Learn more about low-residue diets for digestive health..

Frequently Asked Questions

It's recommended to follow a white diet for at least 48 hours after a professional teeth whitening treatment, as this is when your tooth enamel is most susceptible to staining. Some dentists may suggest continuing for up to 14 days for the best results.

No, you should avoid coffee on a white diet because its dark pigments can easily stain newly whitened or sensitive teeth. If you must consume it, drinking through a straw can help minimize contact with your teeth.

While there is overlap, they are not identical. A white diet focuses specifically on color to prevent staining (e.g., after teeth whitening), whereas a bland diet prioritizes foods that are gentle on the digestive system, such as low-fiber, low-fat options, which often happen to be light-colored.

Yes, mashed potatoes made from peeled white potatoes are a great option for a white diet. However, avoid adding high-fat, colored toppings like regular butter or cheese sauce and stick to simple seasonings.

Lean, skinless poultry, such as chicken or turkey breast, and white fish like cod or tilapia are suitable for a white diet. They should be grilled, steamed, or baked without dark or colorful marinades.

Yes, bananas are a common and highly recommended food on a white diet. They are a soft, non-staining fruit that can be easily incorporated into meals or snacks.

Yes, plain tofu can be included in a white diet. As with other proteins, it's best to prepare it without adding dark or colorful sauces like soy sauce to maintain its pale color.

Plain dairy products such as milk, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, and white cheeses like mozzarella are generally acceptable on a white diet. Avoid fruit-flavored or heavily processed dairy products with added dyes.