December 23, 2024 Michelle Schmanski

Low-Residue Diet: What You Should Know

What you eat is one of the most powerful tools to support your overall health.

A balanced diet provides your body with essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, protein, and fuel. These nutrients help keep you energized, maintain your immune system, and support all your organs.

However, there are times when your usual eating habits may need to change.

An illness, digestive issues, or certain medical conditions can temporarily require a change in diet. For some, a low-residue diet becomes a part of healing and managing GI symptoms.

What is a Low-Residue Diet?

A low-residue diet is a special eating plan that aims to reduce undigested material, or residue, in the digestive tract. Less material moving through means decreased bowel activity and stool bulkiness, which allows the digestive system to rest.

A low-residue diet can be very effective for some medical conditions or during recovery. But it is not meant to be a long-term solution. Limiting fiber and other foods that are harder to digest can reduce symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, and bloating.

Why is a Low-Residue Diet Used?

Doctors often suggest a low-residue diet to give your digestive system a break and allow it to heal. This diet can help ease symptoms of certain conditions by reducing bowel movements and minimizing irritation. You might need to follow a low-residue diet for reasons like:

• Diverticulitis. During flare-ups, inflamed pouches in the colon benefit from less irritation.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): This diet helps calm inflammation, diarrhea, and pain caused by conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
• Gastroparesis. When your stomach contents clear more slowly than usual, low-residue foods are easier to digest.
• Diarrhea or cramping. Temporary digestive issues caused by infections or sensitivities may benefit from foods that reduce bowel activity.
• Intestinal narrowing. Strictures or scar tissue can block parts of the intestine, and soft, low-residue foods are easier to pass through.
• Post-surgical recovery. After procedures like bowel surgery, colostomy, or ileostomy, this diet helps your body heal by reducing digestive strain.

Is a Low-Residue Diet the Same as a Low-Fiber Diet?

Not quite.

While both diets limit fiber, a low-residue diet goes a bit further. It also restricts foods that stimulate bowel activity, such as certain dairy products or fatty meats. The goal of a low-residue diet is to reduce stool production. This makes it slightly more limiting than a low-fiber diet.

What Foods Can You Eat on a Low-Residue Diet?

Focus on foods that are gentle on your digestive system and easy to digest. Here are some examples:

• Grains. White bread, plain bagels, refined pasta, white rice, cream of wheat, puffed rice cereal, and cornflakes.
• Fruits. Canned or cooked fruits without skins or seeds, such as applesauce, canned peaches, or pears. Fruit juices without pulp are also suitable.
• Vegetables. Well-cooked or canned vegetables like carrots, green beans, or peeled potatoes. Be careful to avoid hard-to-digest items like skins or seeds.
• Proteins. Tender, well-cooked meats such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, tofu, and smooth nut butters.
• Dairy. Small quantities of low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt without added fruit or nuts, and lactose-free options if needed.
• Snacks and desserts. Gelatin desserts or sherbet without added chunks.

Foods to Avoid on a Low-Residue Diet

Some foods are more difficult to digest or leave behind more residue. These are best avoided:

• Grains. Whole-grain bread, oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, and popcorn.
• Fruits. Raw, dried, or fibrous fruits, such as apples, berries, and pineapple. Avoid fruits with skins or seeds.
• Vegetables. Raw or lightly cooked vegetables, sprouts, and vegetable juices with pulp.
• Proteins. Fatty or fried meats, processed meats like sausage or bacon, and chunky nut butters.
• Dairy. Full-fat yogurts, ice creams, or creamy soups with added fruits or nuts.
• Snacks and desserts. Granola, seeds, chips, and dried fruits.

See a Doctor About a Low Residue Diet

If you have digestive issues or are recovering from surgery, a low-residue diet can give your gut the rest it needs to heal. Follow this diet with your doctor’s guidance, and gradually return to a regular eating plan when the time is right.

If you’re unsure about what foods to choose, how long to follow this diet, or how to best reintroduce fiber, our specialists are here to help.

Get expert advice about a low-residue diet – schedule an appointment today!

Request Appointment

Related:

• How to Settle an Upset Stomach: 8 Tips
• 7 GI Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore