What foods are low in fiber for colonoscopy?

December 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, proper bowel preparation is the most important factor for a successful and accurate colonoscopy. Knowing what foods are low in fiber for colonoscopy is essential to ensure the colon is clear for the procedure, allowing doctors to detect any abnormalities accurately.

Quick Summary

A successful colonoscopy requires a low-fiber diet in the days leading up to the procedure to minimize undigested residue. Allowed foods include refined grains, peeled fruits and cooked vegetables without skins, lean meats, and smooth dairy products. Avoiding high-fiber foods like whole grains, nuts, seeds, and raw produce is crucial for a clean colon and an effective examination.

Key Points

Refined Grains: Opt for white bread, white rice, and plain pasta instead of whole grains to reduce fiber content.
Peeled Fruits and Cooked Vegetables: Choose peeled fruits like bananas and ripe melon, and well-cooked, skinless vegetables such as carrots and potatoes.
Lean, Tender Meats: Stick to tender, well-cooked meats like chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs for easy digestion.
Smooth Dairy and Fats: Most dairy is acceptable, but ensure yogurt is plain and any nut butters are creamy, avoiding crunchy textures.
Avoid Nuts, Seeds, and Popcorn: These items must be eliminated from your diet as they are difficult to digest and can obstruct the colonoscope.
Switch to Clear Liquids: The day before the procedure, transition to a clear liquid diet, which includes broth, pulp-free juices, and clear sodas.
Avoid Red and Purple Dyes: Steer clear of any foods or drinks with red, blue, or purple coloring, as they can be mistaken for blood during the exam.
Crucial for Success: Following the low-fiber diet and clear liquid phase is critical for the procedure's accuracy and to avoid needing a repeat colonoscopy.

Understanding the Low-Fiber Diet for Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a vital procedure for detecting and preventing colon cancer. To get the clearest view of the colon's lining, it must be completely empty of solid waste. This is why patients are instructed to follow a strict diet in the days before the examination, shifting from a normal, healthy diet to one that is low in fiber. Fiber is the indigestible part of plant-based foods that bulks up stool, and eating it before a colonoscopy can leave behind residue that obstructs the doctor's view. A low-fiber diet helps reduce the amount of stool, making the bowel prep easier and more effective.

Approved Low-Fiber Food Groups

The following food lists detail what is generally allowed and what must be avoided. Always consult your doctor's specific instructions, as they may differ slightly.

Breads, Grains, and Starches:

Allowed: White bread, rolls, biscuits, and bagels made from refined white flour; plain crackers (e.g., Saltines); white rice; plain white pasta; low-fiber cereals like Cornflakes, Rice Krispies, or Cream of Wheat; cooked peeled potatoes.
Avoid: Whole-grain breads, pasta, and cereals; brown or wild rice; seeds, nuts, or dried fruit mixed in grains; popcorn.

Fruits and Vegetables:

Allowed: Fruit juices without pulp; applesauce; ripe bananas, cantaloupe, and honeydew; well-cooked or canned fruits without skin or seeds (like peeled peaches); well-cooked vegetables without skin, seeds, or stalks (e.g., peeled carrots, asparagus tips).
Avoid: Raw vegetables; corn; cabbage; broccoli; Brussels sprouts; fruits with skin or seeds (e.g., berries); dried fruit.

Meat and Protein:

Allowed: Tender, lean, well-cooked meats like poultry (chicken, turkey) without skin, fish, and eggs; tofu; smooth nut butters (e.g., creamy peanut butter).
Avoid: Tough meat with gristle; any meat with a lot of fat; chunky nut butters; beans, lentils, or other legumes.

Dairy and Fats:

Allowed: Milk; plain yogurt without fruit, nuts, or seeds; plain cheese; butter, margarine, and oils; mayonnaise; plain pudding, custard, and ice cream without added fruit or nuts.
Avoid: Yogurt with granola, seeds, or fruit; cheese with nuts; full-fat dairy products if you have issues with dairy.

Low-Fiber Diet vs. Low-Residue Diet

While often used interchangeably, a low-residue diet is stricter than a typical low-fiber diet. A low-fiber diet focuses specifically on reducing dietary fiber, whereas a low-residue diet restricts both fiber and other foods that may create residue in the colon, such as some dairy products. For colonoscopy prep, most doctors recommend a low-fiber diet for a few days before the procedure, transitioning to a clear liquid diet the day before.


Feature	Low-Fiber Diet	Low-Residue Diet	Recommended for Colonoscopy?
Primary Focus	Reducing dietary fiber intake to under 10-15g per day.	Reducing fiber and other poorly digested materials (residue).	Yes, as directed by your doctor.
Dairy	Often permitted in moderation.	May be more restricted, especially for lactose intolerance.	Check with your doctor.
Fruits/Veggies	Peeled, cooked, or canned fruits and vegetables are usually allowed.	Limited to very soft fruits like bananas and peeled apples.	Follow your doctor's specific guidance.
Grains	Focuses on refined white grains (white bread, white rice).	Same as low-fiber; excludes whole grains.	Yes.

Sample Low-Fiber Meal Plan (3-4 Days Before Colonoscopy)

Breakfast: Cornflakes with milk and a peeled, ripe banana. Lunch: White toast with creamy peanut butter and a glass of pulp-free apple juice. Dinner: Baked skinless chicken breast with plain white rice and well-cooked, peeled carrots. Snacks: Plain crackers, smooth yogurt, or popsicles (not red or purple).

The Final 24 Hours: The Clear Liquid Diet

The day before your colonoscopy, you will transition from a low-fiber diet to a clear liquid diet. This fast is critical to ensure a completely clean colon. The clear liquid diet consists of only see-through liquids that leave no residue.

Clear liquids typically include:

Clear broth (chicken or beef)
Pulp-free juices (apple, white grape)
Water and tea/coffee (without milk or cream)
Clear sodas (ginger ale, lemonade)
Plain gelatin and popsicles (no red, blue, or purple colors)

Conclusion

Following a low-fiber diet before your colonoscopy is an essential part of the preparation process. By consuming easily digestible foods like refined grains, lean proteins, and peeled fruits, you can significantly reduce the amount of undigested material in your colon. This, combined with the clear liquid diet the day before, ensures your gastroenterologist gets a clear and unobstructed view. Adherence to these dietary restrictions is key to a successful procedure and accurate results, helping to avoid the need for a repeat colonoscopy. Remember to always follow your doctor's specific guidelines. For more detailed medical advice, consult your healthcare provider.

A note on accuracy

This article provides general guidance. For personalized instructions, including how many days before your colonoscopy you should begin the low-fiber diet, please follow the specific recommendations given by your physician or healthcare provider.

For a comprehensive overview of preparing for a colonoscopy, including detailed prep timelines, refer to this guide from WebMD.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose is to reduce the amount of undigested residue in your colon. This helps ensure that your bowels are as clean as possible, allowing your doctor to get a clear and unobstructed view during the procedure to accurately detect any polyps or abnormalities.

Most doctors recommend starting a low-fiber diet anywhere from 3 to 5 days before your scheduled colonoscopy. You will typically transition to an all-clear liquid diet the day before the procedure.

Yes, but with restrictions. You can have fruits that have been peeled and cooked, or are canned without seeds or skins. Examples include applesauce, peeled peaches, and ripe bananas. Avoid raw fruits, berries, and dried fruit.

Nuts, seeds, and popcorn are difficult for the body to digest completely. They can leave behind small, undigested particles in the colon that can obscure the doctor's view and potentially clog the colonoscope equipment.

A low-fiber diet restricts indigestible plant fibers, while a low-residue diet is stricter, limiting both fiber and other food materials (like some dairy) that can leave residue in the colon. For colonoscopy prep, the terms are often used interchangeably, but a low-residue diet is generally seen as a bit more restrictive.

Plain dairy products like milk, plain yogurt, and plain cheese are generally permitted on a low-fiber diet. However, you should avoid any dairy with added fruits, nuts, or seeds. If you are lactose intolerant, you may need to avoid dairy altogether.

Red, blue, and purple dyes can stain the lining of the colon, and the color can be mistaken for blood during the procedure. To prevent confusion and ensure an accurate diagnosis, it's best to avoid these colors in both food and clear liquids.

The clear liquid diet is the final phase of prep, usually the day before the procedure. It consists of only clear, see-through liquids such as water, broth, pulp-free juice, clear sports drinks, and plain gelatin. No solid food is consumed during this phase.