Bowel preparation

Low-fibre diet before colonoscopy

A practical food guide for patients preparing for colonoscopy with Colonoscopy Brisbane.

This guide is available without a Hub account. If you are booked elsewhere, follow your treating team’s instructions.

Four days before: choose low-fibre foods

Low-fibre foods leave less material in the bowel and help the preparation work effectively. Use the list below with the instructions issued for your booking.

Drinks during the low-fibre period

The clinic guide allows water, tea or coffee with skim milk only, black tea or coffee, and other drinks containing skim milk only. Avoid alcohol, Metamucil and fruit or vegetable smoothies.

The day before your procedure

Follow the meal cut-off printed on your written instructions. The Glycoprep-O clinic guide uses a late low-fibre breakfast, then no more solid food. After that, use clear fluids only and continue the bowel-preparation medicines at the issued times.

Clear fluids are ones you can see through, such as water, clear apple, pear or grape juice, black tea or coffee, plain jelly, clear vegetable or chicken broth, lemonade, ginger ale and sports drinks. Avoid red or purple drinks.

Continue with your issued preparation plan

This page covers food choices only. For the overall preparation process, read the colonoscopy preparation guide. If your kit is Glycoprep-O, use the Glycoprep-O step-by-step guide alongside your appointment instructions.