What sweet things can I eat before a colonoscopy?

December 1, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the American Cancer Society, regular colonoscopies can significantly reduce the risk of dying from colon cancer. But the preparation diet, which includes avoiding most solid foods, can spark intense cravings for sweets. So, what sweet things can I eat before a colonoscopy to stay on track?

Quick Summary

Safe sweet options for colonoscopy preparation include clear juices, certain gelatins and popsicles without specific dyes, and hard candies. Dairy-based and whole-grain desserts are generally restricted to an earlier low-fiber diet phase. The key is to avoid red, purple, and orange dyes, as well as nuts and seeds.

Key Points

Clear Liquids are Key: The day before your procedure, only consume sweets that are transparent and liquid at room temperature, like clear gelatin or light-colored popsicles.
Avoid Specific Dyes: Steer clear of red, purple, and orange food coloring, as these can obscure the view inside the colon during the exam.
Low-Fiber Treats are Early: Desserts like plain cake, white flour cookies, and dairy-based treats like vanilla ice cream are only safe during the low-fiber phase, days before the clear liquid diet.
Check for Hidden Ingredients: Always read labels to ensure sweets don't contain forbidden items like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or whole grains.
Hydration is Important: Hard candies and sugary juices can help maintain your blood sugar and energy levels while on the restricted diet.
Consult Your Doctor: If you are unsure about a specific food or drink, always consult your gastroenterology team to avoid compromising your prep.

Navigating Sweet Cravings During Colonoscopy Prep

Successfully preparing for a colonoscopy is essential for an accurate and effective procedure. The dietary restrictions, especially the day before, can make sweet cravings particularly challenging. By understanding which sweet items are safe and which to avoid, you can make the process more manageable without compromising the quality of your bowel prep.

The 'Low-Fiber' vs. 'Clear Liquid' Phases

Your colonoscopy prep diet is typically divided into two phases. The first phase, starting a few days before the procedure, is a 'low-fiber' or 'low-residue' diet. In this phase, some limited dairy-based sweets are permitted. The second phase, usually the day before, is a 'clear liquid' diet, where you must only consume liquids you can see through.

Safe Sweets for the Clear Liquid Phase

The day before your colonoscopy, all solid foods are off-limits, including many of the sweets allowed in the low-fiber phase. However, you can still indulge in a few transparent, low-residue sweet options:

Gelatin: Stick to yellow, green, or other clear varieties. Avoid red, blue, and purple, which can stain the colon lining and be mistaken for blood during the exam. Ensure it contains no added fruit pieces.
Popsicles and Italian Ices: Opt for light-colored flavors like lemon, lime, or clear soda. Again, avoid red, orange, and purple.
Hard Candies: Clear hard candies like lemon drops, butterscotch, and peppermint are excellent choices. Clear gummy bears that dissolve easily are also often permitted, as long as they are not red or purple.
Clear Juices: Strained apple, white grape, or white cranberry juice without pulp can satisfy a sweet tooth.
Honey and Syrup: Adding these to black tea or allowed juices is a great way to boost your sugar intake and energy levels.

Sweets to Enjoy During the Low-Fiber Phase

In the days leading up to your clear liquid diet, you can enjoy some additional treats. These are generally limited to plain, seedless, and low-fiber items:

Plain Cake or Cookies: Baked goods made with white flour and no nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or coconut are acceptable. Think vanilla wafers or shortbread. Always check labels to be sure.
Plain Ice Cream or Sorbet: Avoid flavors with nuts, seeds, fruit, or added mix-ins. Vanilla is typically a safe bet.
Custard and Pudding: As long as they are plain and don't contain any forbidden ingredients, these smooth treats can be comforting.

Avoiding Dangerous Ingredients

It is critical to avoid any sweet items that contain the following, regardless of the prep phase:

Red, Blue, or Purple Dyes: These can interfere with visibility during the procedure, leading to a rescheduled appointment.
Nuts, Seeds, or Popcorn: Even small seeds like those found in berries or poppy seeds can remain in the colon and block the scope.
Dried Fruits: High in fiber and difficult to fully eliminate.
Whole Grains: These are a major source of fiber and must be avoided.

Comparison Table: Low-Fiber vs. Clear Liquid Sweets


Sweet Item	Low-Fiber Phase (Days Before)	Clear Liquid Phase (Day Before)
Plain Cake or Cookies	✓ Yes (white flour only)	✗ No (solid food)
Plain Ice Cream	✓ Yes (no nuts/seeds)	✗ No (dairy)
Plain Pudding/Custard	✓ Yes	✗ No (dairy)
Clear Gelatin (Yellow/Green)	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Clear Popsicles (Non-Red/Purple)	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Hard Candies (Clear)	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Honey/Syrup	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Clear Juice (No Pulp)	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Chocolate	✓ Yes (no nuts/solids)	✗ No (dark pigment)

Staying Positive and Hydrated

While the prep diet can be challenging, remember it is temporary and necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Use these approved sweets to keep your energy up and spirits high. Staying well-hydrated is also vital, and sugary clear drinks can help maintain blood sugar levels.

Conclusion

Successfully navigating the pre-colonoscopy diet is a critical part of the procedure. By knowing what sweet things you can eat, from clear lemon drops to green gelatin, you can manage cravings effectively. Always double-check labels for hidden fiber, seeds, or forbidden dyes. When in doubt, it is best to stick to water or other strictly clear liquids. Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for the best possible outcome. For additional prep tips, resources from reputable health organizations like the Colorectal Cancer Alliance offer helpful shopping lists and timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should not eat chocolate in the final day or two before a colonoscopy. During the clear liquid phase, all dark-colored foods, including chocolate, are forbidden as they can leave residue and interfere with the procedure.

Yes, Jell-O is allowed, but only in specific colors. You should choose yellow or green Jell-O and avoid all red, purple, and orange colors, which can interfere with the examination.

Plain vanilla ice cream or sorbet is sometimes allowed during the earlier, low-fiber phase of preparation, but never on the day before the procedure when you are on a clear liquid diet. You must avoid ice cream with nuts, seeds, fruit, or mix-ins.

Clear, hard candies are an excellent choice during the clear liquid diet. Safe options include lemon drops, peppermint, and butterscotch. Avoid any hard candies that are red, orange, or purple.

Yes, clear gummy bears are often permitted, as they dissolve at body temperature. Avoid any red or purple gummy bears. They can be a helpful distraction while consuming the prep solution.

Yes, honey and syrup are clear liquids that can be added to permitted beverages like black tea or water. They can help provide energy and improve the flavor of your intake.

Red, purple, and sometimes orange dyes can stain the colon lining, making it look like blood. This can obscure the view for the doctor and lead to false positive findings, requiring unnecessary biopsies or a repeat procedure.

Yes, clear sodas like lemon-lime (Sprite), ginger ale, or other clear carbonated beverages are allowed during the clear liquid diet phase. Avoid dark colas or sodas with red, orange, or purple dyes.