Pre-colonoscopy meals for vegetarians

May 19, 2018 5:52 PM

I've got a lacto-ovo vegetarian parent with an upcoming colonoscopy who is at a loss about what to eat. They've already got the ingredient list of some dos (and many donts). What are some good meals to get them through the next four days?
posted by cichlid ceilidh to Health & Fitness (4 answers total)

If you are a healthy vegetarian, it's very hard--not much fiber, no seeds etc. For my last one, I ate cheese sandwiches on white bread for three days and on the last day, treated myself to some artisan sodas (not any red ones, of course!) Not great, but doable.
posted by pangolin party at 6:20 PM on May 19, 2018 [1 favorite]

There’s lots of different theories of prep, some more restrictive than others- So without knowing the specific dos and don’ts that they’re working with, I would suggest a nice quiche (maybe with de-seeded tomatoes in it), or a loaded baked potato/sweet potato.
posted by Secretariat at 8:35 AM on May 20, 2018

Possibly white rice with a well-cooked, de-seeded (and peeled?) vegetable stir fry? This was within the approved foods for me for a recent prep I did. My diet restriction was very lenient though- mostly just no seeds, nuts, or whole grains. Definitely adapt suggestions to follow whatever the clinic has provided as guidelines.
posted by Secretariat at 8:45 AM on May 20, 2018 [1 favorite]

This article makes it sound like although beans are probably out, tofu might be allowed- which opens up a protein source other than cheese or egg. Probably worth running by an advice nurse, but maybe they could get away with something like a tofurky sandwich slice non-meat product?

There's also the whole world of pasta, as long as it's made with white flour and any tomato or peppers in the sauce have had seeds removed. Think ravioli, spaghetti (maybe throw in some well-sauteed mushrooms and zucchini with the center seeds cut out), or macaroni and cheese.

Something like tomato soup with white bread grilled cheese could be good, or any other creamy/smooth soup + bread.
posted by Secretariat at 2:45 PM on May 20, 2018