2 days before your colonoscopy

It is important to drink plenty of fluids. Try to drink 2 litres (about 8 to 10 glasses) in a day. 

You need to start having smaller meals. The things that you can eat or drink are listed below. This helps the bowel preparation solution to work properly.

Do not eat foods containing fibre. This is found in fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains, such as wholemeal bread and cereals.

You can eat or drink

• Well cooked, lean (low fat) beef, lamb, ham, veal or pork
• Fish, shellfish or poultry
• White rice, noodles or white pasta
• Cereal including cornflakes and crisped rice cereal, but not bran
• White bread or toast
• Rich tea or other plain biscuits
• Eggs, especially boiled or poached
• Butter, margarine or cheese
• Milk, cream or cottage cheese
• Potatoes without the skins (boiled, creamed, mashed or baked)
• Soya or tofu
• Gravy made from stock cubes (you can use plain flour or cornflour to thicken this)
• Sugar or sweetener
• Clear jelly
• Water, cordial, fizzy drinks, clear strained soup or clear stock

Do not eat or drink

• Fruit, including fresh, dried and canned
• Brown rice or brown pasta
• High-fibre breakfast cereals (including porridge oats)
• Pulses or lentils
• High-fibre, multi-seeded, 50/50 or wholemeal bread
• Vegetables
• Nuts or seeds
• Roasted, deep fried potatoes (including chips)
• Crisps
• Alcohol
• Jam
• Red jelly
• Red cordial or fruit juice