A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of your large intestine (colon and rectum) using a colonoscope. A colonoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a light and video camera on the end that transmits images to a TV screen. Colonoscopies are used to look for early signs of cancer, polyps that can become cancerous, inflammation, bleeding, and other gastrointestinal problems.
In order to get a good view of the inside of the colon, it must be completely empty and clean. This requires following a clear liquid diet and using laxatives or enemas before the colonoscopy. The clear soup diet helps clean out the colon by providing necessary calories and nutrients while avoiding solid foods that could leave residue in the colon.
What is a clear liquid diet?
A clear liquid diet includes only liquids you can see through. It excludes any red or purple colored liquids, which can look like blood in the colon. Clear liquids provide fluid, calories, electrolytes, and nutrients while leaving no solid residue.
Common clear liquids allowed on a colonoscopy prep diet include:
- Water
- Clear fruit juices without pulp such as apple, white grape, or white cranberry
- Clear sodas such as ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
- Clear broths such as chicken, beef or vegetable broth
- Plain gelatin
- Popsicles without fruit or cream
- Tea or coffee without milk or creamer
Some other guidelines for clear liquids include:
- Do not drink anything red, purple, blue or orange
- Do not drink milk, cream, soy milk or nondairy creamer
- Do not eat any solid foods
- Do not drink smoothies or eat ice cream
- Do not drink alcohol
Sticking to clear liquids before the colonoscopy allows the colon to be emptied of all solid matter for the procedure.
Examples of Clear Soups for Colonoscopy Prep
Broths and clear soups can provide necessary hydration and nutrients during colonoscopy prep when only liquids are allowed. Here are some examples of clear soup recipes that can be included:
Chicken Broth or Bouillon
Chicken broth is a classic clear soup that can be eaten plain or flavored with salt, pepper, herbs, or a splash of lemon juice. Store-bought chicken broth or bouillon cubes dissolved in hot water also work well.
Beef Broth or Bouillon
Like chicken broth, beef broth can be consumed plain or seasoned. Beef broth provides protein, electrolytes, and nutrients without any residue. Bouillon cubes can be substituted if broth is not available.
Vegetable Broth
Vegetable broth is another easy clear soup option. Homemade or ready-to-use vegetable broth offers vitamin and minerals without fiber or residue. Flavor it with onion powder, herbs, or other seasonings if desired.
Clear Vegetable Soups
Soups made with clear vegetables and broth provide nutrition while remaining low residue. Onion, garlic, carrots, celery and turnips can be simmered in broth to make a homemade clear veggie soup. Canned vegetable broth or bouillon based soups like low-sodium tomato or vegetable also work.
Clear Noodle Soups
Broth-based soups with clear noodles like rice noodles, mung bean noodles, or glass noodles can be part of a colonoscopy prep diet. The noodles provide carbs and calories without clouding up the broth. Season the broth with herbs and spices for flavor.
Gelatin
Unflavored, non-red gelatin provides protein and calories. Gelatin can be eaten plain in liquid form or chilled into gelatin cubes. Lime or lemon gelatin cubes can also be nice for variety.
Sample Clear Soup Colonoscopy Prep Menu
Here is an example menu featuring clear soups and liquids that could be followed for colonoscopy prep:
Breakfast
– 1 cup apple juice
– 1 cup tea with lemon
– 1 bowl chicken broth
– Gelatin cubes
Lunch
– 1 cup vegetable broth
– 1 cup clear soda
– Popsicle
Dinner
– 1 cup clear noodle soup
– 1 cup clear vegetable soup
– 1 cup grape juice
– 1 bowl beef broth
This provides necessary hydration and nutrition from different clear liquids and soups without solid food residue. More liquids and soups can be consumed as needed.
Benefits of Clear Soups for Colonoscopy Prep
Here are some of the top benefits of incorporating clear soups into your colonoscopy prep diet:
- Hydration – Clear broths and soups provide needed fluids.
- Calories for energy – Soups provide calories when only clear liquids are allowed before the colonoscopy.
- Electrolytes – Broths contain electrolytes like sodium and potassium which are lost during laxative preparation.
- Protein – Chicken, beef and vegetable broth supply protein to help maintain muscle mass when not eating solid foods.
- Nutrition – Vitamins and minerals are provided from vegetable broth and juices.
- Comfort – Sipping warm, flavorful broth can be soothing and comforting during the colon prep process.
Consuming clear soups helps support the body nutritionally while following the necessary colon cleansing diet before a colonoscopy exam.
Tips for Consuming Clear Soups Before Colonoscopy
Here are some tips for getting the most benefits out of clear soups during your colonoscopy preparation:
- Choose low-sodium or sodium-free broths to minimize dehydration from salt intake.
- Flavor plain broths with lemon juice, herbs, spices, or salt-free seasonings for more taste.
- Try chilled soups like gazpacho or fruit broths if warm soups do not appeal.
- Sip broths slowly instead of gulping for more hydration benefits.
- Set a schedule for when you will consume different soups and liquids to space out nutrition.
- Heat up broth to steaming for a warm, comforting effect or enjoy chilled.
- Combine broths like sipping chicken broth followed by vegetable broth for variety.
Following these tips helps ensure broths and clear soups are as beneficial as possible leading up to the colonoscopy.
Conclusion
Incorporating clear soups into the necessary liquid diet before a colonoscopy provides hydration, nutrition, calories, and comfort. Sticking to a strict clear liquid menu with items like broth, clear juices, soda, popsicles, and gelatin allows the colon to be emptied of solid matter. Consuming soups made with vegetable or chicken broth, bouillon, and seasonings offers electrolytes, protein, vitamins and minerals without residue. With a little preparation and planning, necessary clear soups can make the colonoscopy prep process smoother.