Can I eat biscuits the day before a colonoscopy?

Nov 06, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Generally, it is acceptable to eat biscuits more than 6 hours before a colonoscopy. However, if within 6 hours prior to the procedure, eating biscuits is not recommended because they are difficult to clear from the stomach and may leave food residue in the intestines, potentially interfering with the doctor's ability to observe the intestinal mucosa. In such cases, biscuits should be avoided to ensure the accuracy of the examination.

Generally, it is acceptable to eat biscuits more than 6 hours before a colonoscopy. However, within 6 hours prior to the procedure, eating biscuits is usually not recommended. The specific reasons are as follows:

If it is more than 6 hours before the colonoscopy, biscuits can typically be digested and absorbed by gastric acid and will not interfere with bowel emptying. In this case, consuming a moderate amount of biscuits the day before the procedure is acceptable and will not significantly affect the examination results.

However, if less than 6 hours remain before the colonoscopy, biscuits may not be adequately emptied from the stomach, potentially leaving food residue in the intestines. This could interfere with the doctor's ability to observe the intestinal mucosa clearly. Therefore, biscuits should be avoided during this period to ensure accurate examination results.

To ensure accurate results, patients should strictly follow medical instructions for bowel preparation and avoid consuming solid foods within the specified time frame.