My Colonoscopy Prep

1 Day Before Your Test

Eat a light breakfast such as plain toast, clear juice, tea, or coffee. Do not use milk or milk substitutes like Coffee-mate® in your tea or coffee. Do not drink milk or milk products.

After breakfast:

  • Do not eat any solid food until after your colonoscopy is completed.
  • Drink only clear fluids up until 2 hours before you are asked to arrive at the facility. It is important to drink clear fluids before and after you have finished the bowel prep solution so that you do not become dehydrated. If you get dehydrated you may become weak, dizzy or light headed. This could make you faint or fall.
  • If you can, have an adult in your home with you while you are preparing your bowel for the test.
Clear fluids that are ok to drink:
  • Iced tea, tea or coffee without milk or milk substitutes like 
    Coffee-mate® 
  • Clear pulp-free fruit juices like apple, white grape, white cranberry or lemonade
  • Kool-Aid®, ginger ale, Sprite®, 7-Up® , water and coconut water
  • Sports drinks such as Gatorade® or Powerade® 
  • Jell-O® , juice popsicles
  • Clear broth or bouillon
Do not drink:
  • Red, purple, or blue fluids
  • Milk products or substitutes such as soy, almond, or goat’s milk
  • Meal replacements like Boost® or Ensure®
  • Alcohol

In the morning:

  • Mix the bowel prep solution by adding water to the fill line on the bottle.
  • Put the cap on the bottle and shake until all the powder has dissolved.
  • Do not add anything like sugar or flavouring to the solution.
  • Cool the solution by putting the bottle in the fridge. It is easier to drink when it is cold.
  • You may feel chilled after drinking this. large amount of cold liquid.
  • Do not stop drinking the bowel prep solution for this reason.

Note:

  • If your test is in the afternoon you may have a light snack such as a piece of toast or Melba toast 24 hours before the time you were told to be at the facility. For example, if you have been told to arrive at 2 pm on Thursday you may have a light snack at 2 pm on Wednesday (the day before your test). Do not eat any solid food between your breakfast and this light snack. After your snack do not eat any solid food until your colonoscopy is done.

Throughout the day:

  • Keep drinking clear fluids before and after drinking the solution so that you do not become dehydrated. Keep drinking clear fluids until bedtime.
The Evening Before Your Colonoscopy