- A liquid diet simply means you can ingest anything that is primarily liquid based, although you must avoid alcohol. Consuming only liquids for one to three days prior to the test will enable your colon to empty completely of any food particles. You want your doctor to be able to visualize as much area in the colon as possible, in order to rule out any disorders or infections. Food items such as broth, juice, tea, sports drinks and coffee are acceptable on the liquid diet, as long as they are not red in color. Red items can stain the walls of your colon, tainting the results of the colonoscopy. Liquid diet foods are not actually eaten; rather they are drank, and can sometimes leave you feeling less than satiated.
You can trick your stomach into feeling satisfied by consuming additional items that are allowed on the liquid diet. In fact, calling it a liquid diet can be seen as a misnomer. It does not mean that the food must be liquid, only that it is liquid in its simplest form. One example of this exception is Jell-O. Although it is a solid after refrigeration, Jell-O is a highly acceptable component of a liquid diet. Sherbet is another food item that can be ingested on a liquid diet. Eating Jell-O and sherbet can help you endure the liquid diet because the chewing and swallowing action involved with ingesting them mimic the actions of eating regular food. Therefore, you do not feel as deprived. - Adherence to the liquid diet is vital. Straying from your doctor's recommendations could affect the outcome of the colonoscopy. If your doctor is unable to clearly see the entire colon, infections or other disorders could be misdiagnosed. In order to effectively identify any condition you may have, you must follow the liquid diet and your doctor's instructions to the letter.