If avoiding solid foods seems challenging, you might wonder why this is necessary.

Were looking for polyps of varying sizes and shapes.

Some polyps are flat.

A plate of homemade bone broth or soup in a white and blue plate on a table, top view

Madeleine_Steinbach / Getty Images

This means only consuming clear broth, clear drinks like water and apple juice, popsicles, and Jell-O.

Why Is a Clear Liquid Diet Still the Standard for Colonoscopy?

It is difficult to explain what a low-residue diet is sometimes.

Patients will start to eat high-residue foods the day before and then really impact the bowel preparation.

We see watermelon seeds all the time, Phan said.

However, she still recommends a clear liquid diet for most people before a colonoscopy.

Polyp detection rate is really key when trying to prevent colon cancer.

Some providers let patients follow a low-residue diet, especially if you have certain underlying health conditions.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Colonoscopy.

2020;92(3):508-518.e3.

doi:10.1016/j.gie.2020.04.069

GI Society.Low residue diet.

2021;44(5):341-352. doi:10.1097/SGA.0000000000000554

UCLA Health.Diabetes colonoscopy preparation.