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Low fibre vegetarian diet 7 days before colonoscopy/gastroscopy?

153 replies

HeathisWealth · 05/09/2026 09:19

White carbs, eggs, cheese, butter, processed cereals, milk, well cooked carrots and strained tomatoes (but staining?).

This is my idea of food hell.

White bread egg/cheese sarnies?

Pasta with butter and cheese?

Usual diet is rich in fruit, berries, seeds and nuts with my yoghurt, veggies (skin on!), beans, pulses, salads, seeds and nuts- and wholemeal, brown and whole grain.

Please can I ask for your help with better ideas as honestly, if I didn't need one before, I'll definitely need one with that diet!

OP posts:
PistachioTiramisu · 05/09/2026 18:05

How about a cheese souffle? Nutritious and delicious!

Emilesgran · 05/09/2026 20:39

HeathisWealth · 05/09/2026 09:19

White carbs, eggs, cheese, butter, processed cereals, milk, well cooked carrots and strained tomatoes (but staining?).

This is my idea of food hell.

White bread egg/cheese sarnies?

Pasta with butter and cheese?

Usual diet is rich in fruit, berries, seeds and nuts with my yoghurt, veggies (skin on!), beans, pulses, salads, seeds and nuts- and wholemeal, brown and whole grain.

Please can I ask for your help with better ideas as honestly, if I didn't need one before, I'll definitely need one with that diet!

wrong thread

Genevieva · 05/09/2026 20:41

It’s low residue, so you can have purées, prawns, white fish and chicken.

Auburngal · 05/09/2026 20:44

OP,

You still have not answered why 7 days when others here who had the procedure only had 3 days of the low fibre/residue diet?

Emilesgran · 05/09/2026 20:51

Auburngal · 05/09/2026 20:44

OP,

You still have not answered why 7 days when others here who had the procedure only had 3 days of the low fibre/residue diet?

I've had to do it for seven days because when I had a previous three day one the results weren't quite perfect. I didn't have to redo that one, but when I had a follow-up one a year later (and subsequently) they've told me I need to do the soft food regime for longer.

So maybe @HeathisWealth's doctor prefers everyone to do that just in case. No skin off their nose after all, and avoids last minute rescheduling or failed colonoscopies. Or maybe this isn't their first time, and three days wasn't enough.

Auburngal · 05/09/2026 20:55

Emilesgran · 05/09/2026 20:51

I've had to do it for seven days because when I had a previous three day one the results weren't quite perfect. I didn't have to redo that one, but when I had a follow-up one a year later (and subsequently) they've told me I need to do the soft food regime for longer.

So maybe @HeathisWealth's doctor prefers everyone to do that just in case. No skin off their nose after all, and avoids last minute rescheduling or failed colonoscopies. Or maybe this isn't their first time, and three days wasn't enough.

They may give you another type of prep too.

xoxoxoxocube · 05/09/2026 20:59

I’ve never had to do this diet for 7 days

EvelynBeatrice · 05/09/2026 21:01

A week is much longer than I was told. I think I had a dull diet for two days. All white food and nothing too bulky. I had chicken, white rice , chicken broth. No fruit or veg for the duration.

Don’t panic about the prep. You just need to prep - lol. I took lots of advice and did the following and it was fine. I bought a lidded glass measuring jug and made up the stuff the night before and stuck it in fridge. I bough fresh lemons, lemonade and straws. Before swallowing the dose I sucked a lemon slice and then sucked dose up through straw. All I could taste was lemon. I had sip of lemonade if I needed to after. I had sudocrem etc next to loo etc. Was fine and I got it all down and was told in theatre that I’d prepped very effectively so colonoscopy easier.

I took the sedation and pain killer on the day and it was absolutely fine. Do bear in mind that women have twistier colons than men so don’t let anyone make you feel bad about opting for the pain relief.

Hedgehog200 · 05/09/2026 21:11

Good luck. I am mid way through the 7 day diet. If I see another white slice of bread or egg🙄. It's gotta be done though.

xoxoxoxocube · 05/09/2026 21:20

Hedgehog200 · 05/09/2026 21:11

Good luck. I am mid way through the 7 day diet. If I see another white slice of bread or egg🙄. It's gotta be done though.

Why is it 7 days: mine was 3 days at most because you will be shitting out the food within 48 hours

Hedgehog200 · 05/09/2026 21:23

Mine is 7 days as two years ago despite a bowel prep my colon wasn't clear. It was the second time as I used a different prep, They still want me to use the prep that didn't work and think a 7 day diet will do the trick and it will work this time.

beigetriangle · 05/09/2026 21:47

I was advised 2 days for sig and 7 days for full

TheWytch · 05/09/2026 21:54

HeathisWealth · 05/09/2026 09:19

White carbs, eggs, cheese, butter, processed cereals, milk, well cooked carrots and strained tomatoes (but staining?).

This is my idea of food hell.

White bread egg/cheese sarnies?

Pasta with butter and cheese?

Usual diet is rich in fruit, berries, seeds and nuts with my yoghurt, veggies (skin on!), beans, pulses, salads, seeds and nuts- and wholemeal, brown and whole grain.

Please can I ask for your help with better ideas as honestly, if I didn't need one before, I'll definitely need one with that diet!

I know - it's grim

I lived on cheese, white bread and pasta and eggs.

And then the procedure failed as the prep drugs contain artificial sweeteners so most of it came straight back up!

Lentilcakes · 05/09/2026 22:34

I’m surprised you’re allowed tomatoes!
I’ve had two colonoscopies and my diet is usually very different but it’s an important medical procedure so you need to stick to the protocols. You should be able to have white rice as well.

Patriciastaser · 06/09/2026 13:33

HeathisWealth · 05/09/2026 09:33

Just simply asking for ideas to make the following week a little better, that's all 😬

I ate very little in the run up to my colonoscopy. I'd rather've eaten nothing than white bread etc. The advantage of this is there is less to clear out when you take the horrible laxative stuff.

HeathisWealth · 10/09/2026 21:07

Evening! So I've survived the beige food and prep day is nearly upon me. Only clear fluids after 1pm tomorrow (Friday). I'm going to make up the prep and leave in the fridge and buy some elderflower cordial or something to treat myself with. So from 1pm Friday until sometime Saturday afternoon, it'll be water and poo. Today I've had yoghurt, rice pudding and crumpets- tomorrow morning I'll have some toast and my beloved coffee, I think. Hoping the 💩 won't be too bad.

I've just come on, too.

Really heavy.

Isn't that a pip.

OP posts:
ncfirthisxxx · 10/09/2026 22:51

Good luck, OP!

toottootbeepbeeep · 10/09/2026 23:08

i have to have them yearly.
Mashed potatoes with loads of cheese & butter
Crumpets
Egg fried rice
Baked spud with cottage cheese (don’t eat the skin)
Jelly
ice cream
Greek yoghurt and honey
crackers and cheese
eggs in any form
good pasta, butter, marmite and Parmesan
rice Krispies
pho / ramen (no veggies)
shortbread and loads of cups of tea
drink the prep ice cold
sourdough bread - any crusty bread (with good butter)
enjoy the GA
plan your fave meal for when you get home

TheHawk · 11/09/2026 15:11

Good luck OP. When is the procedure?

rivalsbinge · 11/09/2026 15:15

I just ate bagels, and white bread rolls, pitta breads with broth and noodles with broth.

HeathisWealth · 11/09/2026 15:29

TheHawk · 11/09/2026 15:11

Good luck OP. When is the procedure?

Sat arvo. No more food now and just clear drinks.

OP posts:
Cadeaukatze · 11/09/2026 15:32

Eyesopenwideawake · 05/09/2026 09:39

Seven days? I've had a couple and the restrictive diet was only three days beforehand.

Yes I think it was only 3 days for me. That was getting on for two years ago though, maybe they've found that if you follow the low fibre diet for longer, they can get a better look.

I am trying to think what I ate, I don't think it was that bad and some basic fruit and veg was allowed I think. The main thing is to avoid coloured foods and seeds. So no beetroot or granary bread, for example. I had quite a few lemonade lollies.

HeathisWealth · 11/09/2026 18:47

I'm just in the 🛁 trying relax before I take the first laxative at 7pm.

Not sure if I'm more worried about the 💩 or tomorrow's 📸👅 and 📸🍑 or the results.

I guess the anxiety and overthinking around the whole process has at least given me a break from worrying about the outcome- what has haunted my every waking moment for the last 2 months.

Love to anyone going through health worries. You're not alone. 💕

OP posts:
beigetriangle · 11/09/2026 20:07

fingers crossed all goes well - both the prep and procedure

the tea & toast afterwards are the best meal ever!

PlenvuIsNoFun · 11/09/2026 21:52

I hope it’s working well so far.

All the best for tomorrow 🤞