A low-residue diet, sometimes referred to as a low-fiber diet, is designed to reduce the amount of undigested material that passes through your large intestine. This can be beneficial in specific situations, such as preparing for a colonoscopy or managing certain digestive conditions. While it was previously removed from the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Manual due to a lack of evidence supporting its widespread benefits, it may still be recommended by healthcare professionals for specific reasons. The value of a low-fiber diet is in its ability to empty the digestive tract for diagnostic investigation or rest the gut for therapeutic purposes; for example, after a flare up of a bowel condition like Crohn's.
What is "Residue"?
The term "residue" refers to anything that remains in the large intestine after digestion, including undigested food, bacteria, gas, cells, and secretions from the gut lining.
When is a Low-Residue Diet Recommended?
A low-residue diet may be recommended in the following situations:
- Before a Colonoscopy: To ensure a clear view of the colon, a low-residue diet, in conjunction with bowel preparation solutions like "Klean Prep / Plenvue / Moviprep," is often prescribed the day before the procedure.
- Managing Digestive Conditions: It can help alleviate symptoms during flare-ups of conditions like:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn's disease
- Diverticulitis
- Bowel Obstruction Risk: For individuals with or at risk of a bowel obstruction due to a stricture (narrowing) in the intestine.
- Excess Gas Production: In cases where excessive gas is produced in the digestive tract.
- Post-Surgery: Following certain bowel surgeries to allow the digestive system to heal.
How Does a Low-Residue Diet Work?
The primary goal of a low-residue diet is to minimize the workload on your digestive system. By avoiding foods that are difficult to digest or leave behind a significant amount of undigested material, the diet aims to:
- Reduce stool volume.
- Decrease bowel movements.
- Alleviate symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, and bloating.
Foods to Include on a Low-Residue Diet
A low-residue diet consists of foods that are easily digested and absorbed, leaving minimal residue in the bowel. Examples of foods to include are:
Read also: Guide to Low-Residue Cooking
- Fruits and Vegetables:
- Well-cooked vegetables (without skin, seeds, or stalks)
- Mash or creamed potatoes (no skin)
- Melon (no seeds/skin)
- Stewed apple
- Plums
- Canned pears/peaches
- Ripe bananas
- Avocado
- Fruit juices with no pulp
- Sieved tomato sauces (no skin or seeds), tomato purée
- Starchy Carbohydrates:
- White bread
- White rice and pasta
- Plain scones
- White pitta, chapati
- Refined breakfast cereals like cornflakes and puffed rice
- Meat, Fish, Dairy, and Alternatives:
- All fresh meat, sausage and bacon (avoid tough or fatty meat)
- All fresh, frozen, smoked fish and fish in white breadcrumbs/batter
- Eggs, soya and tofu
- All milk, yogurt (with no added bits) and cheese
- Sugary Foods:
- Ice cream
- Jelly
- Custard
- Plain biscuits
- Jelly-type jams
- Marmalade (no peel)
- Lemon curd
- Chocolate and sweets - don't forget these should be consumed in moderation, in line with dietary guidelines
- Sauces:
- Tomato sauce
- Brown sauce
- Salad cream and mayonnaise
- Yeast extract
- Gravy and white sauce
- Liquids:
- Smooth and creamed soups like chicken soup
- Tea, coffee, squash and smooth milkshakes
Foods to Avoid on a Low-Residue Diet
The following foods should be avoided on a low-residue diet:
- Fruits:
- All fruit skins, stalks, seeds and stones
- All dried fruit and smoothies
- Vegetables:
- All vegetable stalks, skins, seeds and peel
- Raw vegetables and all other vegetables not listed above, including cabbage, curly kale, sweetcorn and celery
- Composite dishes such as coleslaw
- Breads and Grains:
- Wholemeal, granary and rye bread
- All fruit and nut breads, including walnut, granary or fruit muffins or scones and pastries with fruit/dried fruit
- Brown rice, wholemeal pasta and bulgur wheat
- Wholegrain and high-fibre cereals, such as wheat breakfast biscuits, bran-based cereals, porridge oats, muesli and wheat germ
- Meat and Fish:
- Meat casseroles, pies, pasties containing vegetables
- Fish in wholemeal breadcrumbs and canned fish with bones, such as sardines
- Other:
- All types of nuts
- All peas, beans, pulses (e.g. kidney and baked beans), as well as lentils
- Hummus
- Yogurt with 'bits'
- Jam and marmalade containing fruit, seeds or peel
- Nut butters, unless smooth
- Cake, scones or chocolate containing dried fruit
- Pickles
- Canned sauces containing vegetables or fruit
- Packet or canned soup with vegetables added
- Herbs and spices
- Milkshake syrups with real fruit and seeds
- Popcorn
- All seeds
Potential Benefits and Considerations
While a low-residue diet can provide relief from certain digestive symptoms, it's crucial to be aware of its potential drawbacks:
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Due to the limited variety of foods allowed, following a low-residue diet for an extended period can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Not for Weight Loss: This diet is not intended for weight loss and may not provide adequate calories or nutrients for sustained energy levels.
- Individualized Approach: The specific foods that trigger symptoms can vary from person to person. It's essential to work with a healthcare professional to identify your individual trigger foods and tailor the diet accordingly.
Low-Residue vs. Liquid Diet
A low-residue diet and a liquid diet are two different things. A low-residue diet limits high-fiber foods, such as whole-grain breads, seeds, nuts, and raw fruits and vegetables. However, a liquid diet is taking this diet a step further by eliminating most solid foods, and eating things that are softer and easier to digest. In the traditional sense of a liquid diet it would mean that the diet would be strictly fluids in order to flush out the system. A strict liquid diet is typically done for scopes, and fast weight lose. Some people use a liquid diet in a more realistic manor in conjunction with the low-residue diet. Meaning, that they will have all of the low-fiber foods, but will also include those foods in smoothies, soups, mashed versions, etc.
Important Considerations and Precautions
- Consultation with a Healthcare Professional: Before starting a low-residue diet, it's essential to consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. They can assess your individual needs, determine if the diet is appropriate for you, and provide guidance on how to implement it safely and effectively.
- Short-Term Use: Due to the risk of nutrient deficiencies, a low-residue diet is generally recommended for short-term use only.
- Gradual Reintroduction of Foods: Once your symptoms have improved or you have completed the necessary medical procedure, it's important to gradually reintroduce foods back into your diet under the guidance of a healthcare professional. This will help you identify any trigger foods and ensure that you're getting a balanced and nutritious diet.
- Food Journaling: Keeping a food journal can be a valuable tool for identifying trigger foods and tracking your symptoms. Record everything you eat and drink, as well as any digestive symptoms you experience. This information can help you and your healthcare provider tailor your diet to your specific needs.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration, especially if you're experiencing diarrhea.
The Role of Fiber
Dietary fiber is an essential component of a healthy diet. The term refers to the mainly carbohydrate material found naturally in plants. Sugar and starches are also carbs, but fibre differs in that we cannot digest it - instead, it passes through our digestive system without being absorbed.
There are many different types of fibre that can affect health in different ways, but one of its primary roles is to support the normal function of the gut and help prevent constipation by making stools softer and easier to pass.
Read also: Vegetables for a Low-Residue Diet
Read also: Understanding the Low-Residue Diet