What is a low residue diet?

A low-residue diet is a type of diet that is designed to reduce the amount of undigested food that passes through the colon. It is often recommended for people with conditions that affect the digestive tract, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis, as well as for people who have had abdominal surgery or radiation treatment. Let’s take a look at the low residue diet fact sheet.

A low-residue diet typically includes foods that are easy to digest and have a low fibre content. This means avoiding high-fibre foods such as whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables, and nuts and seeds, and instead choosing foods that are cooked or canned, such as cooked or canned fruits and vegetables, rice, pasta, and lean proteins.

How does the low residue diet work?

The low-residue diet works by reducing the amount of undigested food that passes through the colon. The colon is the final part of the digestive tract, and its function is to absorb water and electrolytes from the remaining undigested food (called “residue”) and turn it into stool. A low-residue diet limits the amount of residue that the colon has to process, which may help to reduce symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhoea.

A low-residue diet is typically low in fibre, which is a type of carbohydrate that is found in plant-based foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Fibre is not digested by the body and passes through the digestive tract largely unchanged. It helps to bulk up the stool and keep the digestive system regular, but it can also irritate the lining of the intestine and contribute to symptoms in people with digestive disorders.

By limiting the intake of high-fibre foods, a low-residue diet helps to reduce the amount of undigested food that passes through the colon, which may help to alleviate symptoms and allow the colon to rest and heal. It is important to note that a low-residue diet is not a long-term solution for digestive disorders and should be followed only under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

What are the foods to eat on a low residue diet?

A low-residue diet typically includes foods that are easy to digest and have a low fibre content. These may include:

• Cooked or canned fruits and vegetables, such as applesauce, bananas, canned peaches, and cooked carrots
• Cooked grains, such as white rice, pasta, and noodles
• Lean proteins, such as chicken, turkey, fish, and tofu
• Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt (if tolerated)
• Eggs
• Fats, such as oil, butter, and margarine

You need to work with a healthcare provider to determine which foods are appropriate for a low-residue diet and to ensure that the diet is balanced and provides adequate nutrients. Some people with digestive disorders may need to avoid certain foods or beverages, such as alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods, as these can irritate the digestive tract and worsen symptoms.

A low-residue diet is typically followed for a short period of time, such as during a flare-up of digestive symptoms, or it may be followed long-term as a way to manage chronic digestive issues. It is important to discuss the appropriate length of time to follow a low-residue diet with a healthcare provider.

 What are the foods to avoid on a low residue diet?

A low-residue diet typically involves avoiding high-fibre foods, as they can be difficult to digest and may contribute to symptoms in people with digestive disorders. Some specific foods to avoid on a low-residue diet may include:

• Raw fruits and vegetables, particularly those with seeds or skins, such as berries, oranges, apples, and potatoes
• Whole grains, such as whole wheat, oats, and quinoa
• Nuts and seeds
• Legumes, such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas
• Dried fruits
• Popcorn
• Hot peppers and spicy foods
• Alcohol
• Caffeine

Who should go on a residue diet?

A low-residue diet may be recommended for people with conditions that affect the digestive tract, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis, as well as for people who have had abdominal surgery or radiation treatment. A low-residue diet is designed to reduce the amount of undigested food that passes through the colon, which may help to reduce symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhoea.

It is important to work with a healthcare provider to determine whether a low-residue diet is appropriate and to develop a personalized plan that meets an individual’s nutritional needs. A low-residue diet is not suitable for everyone and should not be followed long-term without medical supervision, as it may not provide adequate nutrients.

It is also important to note that a low-residue diet is not a cure for digestive disorders and should be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as medications and lifestyle changes, to manage symptoms and maintain remission.

 

What to keep in mind about a low residue diet

There are a few things to keep in mind when following a low-residue diet:

1. A low-residue diet is typically low in fibre, which is a type of carbohydrate that is found in plant-based foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Fibre is not digested by the body and passes through the digestive tract largely unchanged. It helps to bulk up the stool and keep the digestive system regular, but it can also irritate the lining of the intestine and contribute to symptoms in people with digestive disorders.
2. A low-residue diet should be followed only under the guidance of a healthcare provider. It is important to work with a healthcare provider to determine which foods are appropriate for a low-residue diet and to ensure that the diet is balanced and provides adequate nutrients.
3. A low-residue diet is typically followed for a short period of time, such as during a flare-up of digestive symptoms, or it may be followed long-term as a way to manage chronic digestive issues. It is important to discuss the appropriate length of time to follow a low-residue diet with a healthcare provider.
4. A low-residue diet is not a cure for digestive disorders and should be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as medications and lifestyle changes, to manage symptoms and maintain remission.
5. It is important to listen to your body and pay attention to how different foods affect your symptoms. Some people may find that certain foods or beverages, such as alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods, can irritate the digestive tract and worsen symptoms. It may be helpful to avoid these triggers and choose foods that are easy to digest, such as cooked or canned fruits and vegetables, rice, pasta, and lean proteins.