In the hours immediately following a colonoscopy, a doctor may recommend that you eat sparingly or not at all. They may suggest a soft or liquid diet that’s low in residue.

A colonoscopy is a screening test used to help detect potential health problems in the colon, such as polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and colorectal cancer.

It’s estimated that 34% of people experience symptoms like bloating, cramping, and changes in bowel movements for up to 2 days after a colonoscopy.

This could make eating and drinking feel challenging after the procedure, but you’ll most likely be dehydrated due to the preparations underwent for the colonoscopy.

As such, consuming a liquid diet and slowly incorporating soft foods that won’t irritate your colon could help you replenish your body with important fluids, vitamins, and electrolytes.

These dietary safeguards are typically required for 1 day only, but everyone is different.

Keep reading to learn more about what to eat after colonoscopy.

Very limited research has examined the best foods and drinks to consume after a colonoscopy compared to how best to prepare for the procedure.

However, healthcare organizations like the Veterans Health Library and the Richmond University Medical Center usually recommend consuming things that are gentle on your digestive system.

During the first few hours after colonoscopy, consider starting with a liquid diet to help avoid dehydration. This may include drinking water, electrolyte beverages, and clear-liquid foods like soups.

If these foods don’t irritate your colon, try following a soft, low residue diet.

This consists of a limited amount of dairy plus low fiber foods. This diet may help ease gastrointestinal activity because the foods are easy to digest and produce less stool.

Some meals to consider eating after a colonoscopy may include:

  • mashed potatoes and a skinless chicken breast
  • white toast and scrambled eggs
  • white rice and a piece of white fish

Other foods and drinks to have the day after your colonoscopy may include:

A colonoscopy only takes around 30 to 45 minutes, but your system may need a few hours to recuperate. This is partly due to the procedure itself, and partly due to the bowel prep you went through before it.

To aid healing, it’s beneficial to avoid foods that are hard to digest the day after. This may include anything that might irritate your bowels, such as spicy, greasy, and fried foods, as well as those high in fiber.

According to the Richmond University Medical Center, air is introduced into the colon during the procedure so that it can remain open. Because of this, you may expel more gas afterward than you normally do.

If so, you may wish to avoid carbonated beverages, which add more gas to your system.

Foods and drinks to avoid the day after your colonoscopy may include:

  • carbonated drinks, such as soda, alcohol, and sparkling water
  • steak, or any tough, hard-to-digest meat
  • whole grains, such as breads and crackers
  • raw vegetables
  • corn
  • legumes
  • brown rice
  • fruit with the skin on
  • dried fruit, such as raisins
  • coconut
  • spices, such as garlic, curry, and red pepper
  • highly seasoned foods
  • crunchy nut butter
  • popcorn
  • fried food
  • nuts

If you had a polyp removed (polypectomy), a doctor may recommend additional dietary guidelines.

Your colon, also known as the large intestine or bowels, is a vital part of your digestive system.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that most people get a colorectal screening at least once every 10 years, starting at age 45 years, to check for signs of colon cancer.

Taking care of your colon requires more than just regular screenings. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following lifestyle habits may help prevent colon cancer:

The CDC also recommends eating a well-balanced diet, which may include:

  • eating whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, and low fat dairy products
  • limiting animal fats

The National Cancer Institute suggests that 10% to 30% of people with colon cancer have family members with the disease, suggesting a genetic component.

Although you can’t change your genetics or your age, making some dietary and lifestyle changes could help you prevent modifiable risk factors.

Learn more about how to prevent colon cancer.

Are you hungry right after a colonoscopy?

You may feel hungry after a colonoscopy because you most likely haven’t eaten food for at least 24 hours. That said, you may find it difficult to eat immediately due to symptoms like bloating, intestinal gas, and abdominal pain.

How long after a colonoscopy can you eat normally?

You can resume eating right after a colonoscopy, but it’s a good idea to introduce food slowly and begin with liquid foods.

What should I eat to restore my gut after a colonoscopy?

Over 3 in 10 people experience uncomfortable abdominal symptoms after a colonoscopy, which may be related to a disrupted gut microbiome. Some research suggests that probiotics may help restore your gut microbiome after a colonoscopy.

What is the fastest way to recover from a colonoscopy?

Most people recover quickly from a colonoscopy, but it’s important to follow all your doctor’s instructions. These may include avoiding any strenuous activity and taking a day off work before returning to your normal routine. If you experience any unusual symptoms, tell your doctor right away.

A colonoscopy can detect problems in your colon, such as polyps or cancer. The preparation for it is dehydrating, so drinking a lot of fluid after the procedure is important.

What you eat and drink after this procedure is also very important. Your doctor may recommend a restricted diet, such as just soft foods that require little digestion.

If you follow your doctor’s instructions, you should recover and resume eating normally within a day.