Trending Med

If it's medical news, it's on TrendingMed

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Twitter
  • Business & Industry
  • Cosmetics
  • Medical Devices
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Workplace Health
  • Diseases & Conditions

Low Residue Diet: The Ultimate Beginners Guide

vegetable salad for low residue diet

Source: flickr.com

When you hear (or read) the word die, it often conjures up images of painfully thin people exercising on treadmills or other torturous gym equipment. However, the word diet simply refers to the kinds of food that you eat. A low residue diet is often suggested to ease bowel complaints.

Quick Navigation
What Is a Low Residue Diet?
What Is Fiber and Where Does It Come From?
What Conditions Can Be Helped by Eating a Low Residue Diet?
What to Eat on a Low Residue Diet
Foods You Can Eat on a Low Residue Diet
Foods You Cannot Eat on a Low Residue Diet
What Does a Low Residue Diet Look Like?
The Risks of a Low Residue Diet
How to Return to Normal Eating After a Low Residue Diet.
Where to Go for Further Help

What Is A Low Residue Diet?

Residue refers to the undigested food that is excreted through your feces. A low residue diet is one that consists of food that is easy for your body to digest.


If you’re suffering from ailments such as Crohn’s Disease, irritable bowel syndrome or diverticulitis, a low residue diet may be helpful, particularly with symptoms like diarrhea, gas, and stomach cramps.


A low residue diet does not just consist of limiting fiber, it also limits wholegrains, raw vegetables, and some fruits. Milk and dairy products can be eaten but only in moderation and all vegetables should be cooked, not raw.


As a diet, low residue eating should only be a temporary measure.


Many nutrients that your body needs are contained in fiber and whole grains so ask your doctor if you need to take supplements.


What Is Fiber And Where Does It Come From?

sliced avocado on person's hand for low residue diet

Source: pinter​​est.com

Fibe​​​​r is a type of carbohydrate that is found in plant-based foods. The difference between fiber and other carbohydrates is that fiber is not digested as it travels around the body. However, this does not mean that fiber is not needed in the body. The nutrient plays a major part in blood sugar regulation, cholesterol levels, and weight management.


There are two types of fiber: insoluble and soluble.


Insoluble fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains, and doesn’t dissolve in water. When people talk of roughage, insoluble fiber is what they’re referring to.


Soluble fiber dissolves in water and can be found in some fruits, avocados, oats, barley, and peas. This is the type of fiber that produces bacteria in the gut that improves immunity in your system. It is also known for improving mood.


Neither type of fiber is good or bad and your body needs both to function properly. Soluble fiber reduces cholesterol levels which is good for your heart. It helps manage blood sugar levels, keeps you feeling full for longer, and promotes healthy bowels and bowel movements.


Insoluble fiber also helps keep you full so it is important for weight management. It can relieve constipation and help prevent hemorrhoids and diarrhea.


All sources of fiber contain both soluble and insoluble components but either one is usually dominant.

What Conditions Can Be Helped By Eating A Low Residue Diet?

person's waist with measuring tape while holding vegetables salad for low residue diet

Source: px​​here.com

The conditions that can be helped with a low residue diet are those that affect the bowel. Your doctor can refer you for tests to diagnose any symptoms that you may be experiencing. Because fiber can be used to increase or decrease bowel movements, it’s particularly important that you receive the correct diagnosis. Confirming a diagnosis for any of the following conditions is usually done through a blood, urine, or stool test or a colonoscopy.


Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease occurs as an inflammation of the digestive tract and can cause severe symptoms such as:

  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Weight loss
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Blood in stools

There is no cure for Crohn’s disease and the causes are unknown. If unchecked, the condition causes other serious problems such as eye conditions, jaundice, hepatitis, and inflammation of the lower back and spine.


Treatment for Crohn’s disease typically involves anti-inflammatory medication and a change of diet.


As symptoms occur periodically, some people may experience extended periods of wellness followed by flare-ups when symptoms are at their most severe.


Irritable Bowel Syndrome

As the name suggests, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder which occurs as a cluster of symptoms and can be affected by stress and diet. Symptoms include:

  • Change in bowel habits
  • Abdominal pain
  • Food intolerance
  • Bloating
  • Increased gas
  • Cramping

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is greatly affected by diet and stress can also bring on symptoms. For sufferers, it is often a matter of trial and error to discover which food causes symptoms to occur.


Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection in or around the diverticulum. It is thought to be caused by a lack of fiber in the diet and attacks of the disorder can be extremely painful. Symptoms can include:

  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Abdominal tenderness on the left side
  • Fever
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Blood in stools

Diverticulitis can turn into a serious condition if not treated properly. Sufferers may need to be admitted to the hospital if diverticular bleeding occurs. Again, the best treatment is often a change of diet.


The above conditions are not the only reasons why your doctor may recommend a low residue diet. Some medical professionals are recommending the diet to patients who are about to have a colonoscopy.

What To Eat On A Low Residue Diet

girl eating watermelon for low residue diet

Source: pexels.com

Some foods shouldn’t be eaten raw, but are fine to be eaten if they’re cooked.


It’s fine to eat some fruits if they have a soft, pulpy center and you avoid the skin. If you’re at all unsure if a food is suitable for a low residue diet, the best advice is to avoid it.


As we mentioned before, a low residue diet is not a permanent solution so any food that you aren’t able to have now, you will be able to have later. Adhering to a low residue diet gives your body time to heal from its symptoms or its condition which is why it is often recommended after surgery.


Foods You Can Eat on a Low Residue Diet

 sliced banana for low residue diet

Source: pinterest.ph

  • Some Fruits - Remember that all fruits should be peeled, and no seeds should be eaten. Canned or cooked fruit is fine, as are ripe bananas, avocado, soft cantaloupe, and honeydew.
  • Some Vegetables - Again, cooked is fine but raw is not. You can freely eat asparagus, beets, carrots, squash (without seeds), mushrooms, green beans, and pumpkin.
  • Potatoes - are fine if they are cooked without the skin.
  • Grains - White rice, refined pasta, noodles
  • Bread - Refined white bread only
  • Crackers - Without seeds, such as saltines
  • Cereals - Choose cold cereals such as corn flakes and puffed rice or cooked cereals such as farina, grits and cream of wheat.
  • Some Pasta - White rice, refined pasta and noodles
  • Eggs
  • Some Meats - (Please see “foods you cannot eat” list). Most meats are fine as they don’t contain fiber but keep in mind that meat trimmed of all visible fat is better for you.
  • Dairy - Dairy and milk are fine on a low residue diet. Having said that, people who have bowel problems are often lactose intolerant. If you experience any problems with abdominal pain or cramping, then limit your dairy intake.
  • Margarine - Butter and oils are also fine.
  • Mayonnaise, salad dressing, and ketchup. Smooth sauces without seeds or roughage are fine.
  • Sour Cream
  • Soy Sauce
  • Clear Jelly
  • Honey and syrup.
  • Some Sweets - Acceptable sweets include hard candy, ice pops, ice cream, plain puddings, gelatin, sherbet, custard.
  • Some Snacks - including plain cakes, cookies, pretzels, and vanilla wafers
  • Decaffeinated coffee, tea and carbonated drinks. Avoid caffeine as it may upset your stomach. Milk is also fine to drink.
  • Juices - Strained vegetable juice is fine to drink as are fruit juices and pulp, without the seeds.

Foods You Cannot Eat On A Low Residue Diet

almond nuts low residue diet

Source: amazo​​n.in

  • Seeds
  • Nuts and coconuts
  • Cereals that contain nuts and seeds
  • Beans - Also, lentils and tofu
  • Raw Vegetables
  • Wholegrain foods -These include wholegrain breads, crackers, pasta, rice, cereals and kasha
  • Raw fruit
  • Dried fruit - Prunes, figs, raisins, and berries
  • Pineapple
  • Some cooked vegetables - Stay away from winter squash, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, peas, broccoli, corn, baked beans, and cauliflower.
  • Onions
  • Some Meats - Smoked meat or meat with gristle are not advisable on a low residue diet and cured deli meat should be avoided as well.
  • Cheese that contains nuts, seeds, or fruit
  • Spreads - Avoid peanut butter, jam, marmalade and preserves.
  • Pickles, olives, horseradish, relish, and sauerkraut
  • Popcorn and cornbread
  • Fruit Juices - Some fruit juices are fine to drink but not those that contain seeds or pulp. It is also advisable to avoid prune juice and pear nectar.

What Does A Low Residue Diet Look Like?

vegetables salad for low residue diet

Source: flickr​​.com

At first glance, a low residue diet may seem very restrictive and boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Ask your doctor to refer you to a nutritionist or dietitian who may be able to provide you with recipes or a meal plan that allows for variety.


A low residue diet is for people who are experiencing bowel problems. It is not a diet to help you lose weight and it is not sustainable for any extended length of time. If you are finding this way of eating to be too restrictive, remember that it is only temporary.


Here’s an example of daily meals on a low residue diet which you can follow or adapt to your own preference (following the recommended eating guidelines).


Breakfast

  • Corn flakes with sliced soft banana
  • White toast bread with either butter or margarine, and seedless grape jelly
  • Cup of decaffeinated tea or coffee with milk and sugar, if preferred
  • Glass of fruit juice without seeds or pulp
  • 8-ounce glass of water

Lunch

  • Skinless Baked chicken
  • Cooked Green Beans
  • Cooked carrots
  • Skinless Baked potato with sour cream
  • Custard with skinless stewed apples
  • 8-ounce glass of water

Dinner

  • Broiled fish
  • White rice
  • Cooked spinach
  • Seedless Pumpkin
  • Ice cream
  • 8-ounce glass of water

Snacks

  • Decaffeinated tea or coffee with milk and sugar
  • Plain cakes
  • Cookies
  • Pretzels
  • Five 8-ouce glasses of water

The Risks Of A Low Residue Diet

person eating lemon

Source: pxhere.com

A low residue diet is often necessary to manage bowel conditions, but as we’ve already mentioned, it should not be continued for an extended length of time. This is because while you’re eating this way, your body can also miss out on some vital nutrients.


Before you begin your low residue diet, we advise speaking to your doctor, nutritionist, or dietitian about whether you should be taking nutritional supplements. While on a low residue diet, you should be in regular contact with your health professional team.


Nutrients You May Lack While on a Low Residue Diet

  • Vitamin C - Many people know that Vitamin C is good for their health, but they may not know why. The body doesn’t produce Vitamin C naturally, so it needs to be consumed, either in food or by tablet or juice. The experts state that women should consume 75mg of Vitamin C every day and men should consume 90mg. Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables, however, the process of cooking these foods reduces the number of vitamins in them.
  • Vitamin D - The easiest way to get Vitamin D into your body is through the sun. However, this isn’t always possible as experts believe we need 10-20 mgs daily. Vitamin D can be consumed in dairy, fruit and fish, some of which are on the list of foods that should not be eaten while on a low residue diet.
  • Vitamin B12 - This is another vitamin that your body doesn’t produce naturally, and it must be consumed through meats, fish, or dairy. B12 is necessary for normal brain function and producing red blood cells and DNA. The recommended Vitamin B12 intake is 2.4mgs.
  • Iron - this mineral is extremely important to your body, particularly your blood. Iron is a vital component of red blood cells which carry oxygen around to the lungs, organs, and tissues. Iron is found in meats, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. However, the most common way to lose iron is through pregnancy, blood loss, and issues with the digestive tract.

How To Return To Normal Eating After A Low Residue Diet

person eating vegetables salad for low residue diet

Source: maxpix​​el.net

Fiber’s main job is to either slow down, or speed up, the digestive process in your body. Obviously, if you have diarrhea, you want that process to slow down and with constipation, you want your digestive system to speed up.


If you’re recovering from surgery, or from an episode of diverticulitis, a low residue diet is recommended to reduce inflammation and help you heal.


Once your symptoms have gone, you can start to reintroduce other foods into your daily diet. Returning to a high fiber diet quickly will bring back your previous symptoms and may even introduce new ones. Instead, introduce one high fiber food each day. If you experience problems, reduce the amount of fiber until you are comfortable.


A low fiber diet is different for everyone but there are guidelines you can follow.


A low fiber diet is when you consume less than 10 to 15 grams of fat per day. With a high fiber diet, 25 to 35 grams is the norm.


Drink Water

Most people have heard of the 8X8 rule which states that you should drink your water from an 8 ounce glass, and that you should have 8 of these glasses each day. This may seem like a lot, but water is essential for moving the fiber easily through your digestive system.


Move About

Exercise also helps to move fiber around the body. If you’re recovering from surgery, exercise may be difficult for you, but it does not have to be strenuous. Simply walking about the house regularly will help.

Where To Go For Further Help

If your doctor recommends that you begin a low residue diet they should also tell you why they feel it’s necessary and they should also refer you for tests to determine your diagnosis.

A low residue diet will ease symptoms of bowel distress but should not be undertaken long term without specific instruction from your medical team.

We recommend you consult with your doctor when you feel you can increase the amount of fiber in your diet again.

Email, RSS Follow
Pin It
Email, RSS Follow
Pin It

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

recent posts

  • 101 Self Care Activities
  • Top Ten Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
  • 8 Of The Best Ways To Increase Urine Production
  • Low Residue Diet: The Ultimate Beginners Guide
  • Birth Control Patch: Your Definitive Guide

Copyright © 2021 TrendingMed.com

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Sitemap · Contact

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.