Can You Eat Canned Tuna Before a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a common screening procedure used to examine the large intestine for signs of cancer, polyps, inflammation, and other conditions In the days leading up to the colonoscopy, you will need to follow a restricted diet called a low-residue diet This diet limits high-fiber foods that can leave residue in your colon and interfere with the test.

So can you eat canned tuna before a colonoscopy? Here’s what you need to know about tuna and other dietary guidelines when prepping for a colonoscopy.

Understanding the Low-Residue Diet

3-7 days before your colonoscopy, your doctor will likely instruct you to follow a low-residue diet. This diet limits high-fiber foods that can leave behind undigested material in your colon. The goal is to keep your colon as clear as possible for the procedure.

On a low-residue diet you’ll need to avoid

• Whole grains like whole wheat bread, brown rice, and oatmeal
• Raw fruits and vegetables
• Dried fruits and prunes
• Nuts and seeds
• Beans and legumes
• Corn and popcorn
• Coconut
• Dairy with seeds or nuts
• Tough fibrous meats

Instead, you can eat:

• White bread and white rice
• Peeled, cooked fruits and vegetables
• Canned fruits without skins, seeds, or membranes
• Fruit juices without pulp
• Eggs
• Well-cooked tender meats
• Smooth nut butters
• Low-fiber cereals like Corn Flakes
• Milk and cheeses without seeds/nuts

This diet gives your colon time to clear out any stool while still providing enough calories and nutrients.

Is Canned Tuna Allowed?

Canned tuna packed in water is low in fiber, so it is perfectly fine to eat in the days leading up to a colonoscopy.

Tuna provides lean protein without any hard-to-digest fibers. It’s a healthy, satisfying option when prep diet choices are limited. Other canned fish like salmon are also good low-residue options.

Just be sure to choose tuna canned in water, not oil. Oils can leave residue in the colon. Drain and rinse the tuna before eating to remove any excess oils or seasonings.

You can enjoy canned tuna:

• In a tuna salad with low-fiber mayo
• On top of a salad without raw veggies
• On crackers or toast
• In a casserole or tuna melt
• Mixed into scrambled eggs or pasta

Check the ingredients carefully and avoid any canned tuna with added vegetables, grains, or seeds. Plain tuna in water has an ingredient list of just tuna and water – perfect for the low-residue diet.

More Low-Residue Diet Tips

Here are some other guidelines to follow when preparing for a colonoscopy:

• Drink at least 8 glasses of clear liquids daily like water, clear broth, juice without pulp, tea, coffee, and soft drinks. Stay hydrated!

• Avoid any red or purple colored liquids, as the dye can tint your colon and interfere with the procedure.

• Don’t eat salads, raw veggies, or fruits with skin or seeds. Cook all vegetables thoroughly until very soft.

• Choose white bread and pasta over whole grains. Lightly butter or sauce is okay.

• Stick to tender, well-cooked meats like poultry, fish, eggs, tofu or smooth nut butters for protein.

• Dairy like milk, plain yogurt, eggs, butter, oil and mild cheeses are okay, but avoid any with seeds, nuts or fruit.

• Limit high-fat fried foods which can leave residue behind. Bake, broil or poach foods instead.

• Avoid any food with seeds, nuts, hulls, skins, peels or kernels like popcorn, berries, beans, quinoa or corn.

• Read all labels carefully to check for hidden seeds or nut pieces in baked goods, sauces and dressings.

Sample Low-Residue Diet Meal Plan

Here is a sample one-day meal plan with tuna and other low-residue foods:

Breakfast:

• Scrambled eggs made with milk, chopped tender ham, and canned tuna
• White toast with butter and jelly

Lunch:

• Tuna salad sandwich on white bread with low-fiber mayo
• Chicken noodle soup
• Canned peaches in juice

Dinner:

• Herb roasted chicken breast
• White rice
• Cooked carrots
• Dinner roll with butter
• Vanilla ice cream with milk

Snacks:

• Saltine crackers with cheese
• Hard-boiled egg
• Water, juice without pulp, tea

Stay Hydrated and Listen to Your Body

Be sure to drink lots of fluids throughout the prep diet to stay hydrated. Eat slowly and stop if you feel full. Avoid anything that seems to worsen abdominal pain or bloating.

Let your doctor know if you have any dietary restrictions or trouble tolerating the low-residue diet. With some careful planning, you can get the nutrients you need in the days before your colonoscopy. Canned tuna is one healthy and satisfying option!