A low-residue diet limits these and other foods that are especially high in fiber, to reduce stool output.
This residue helps keep stools bulky andmoving through the intestinesand usually doesnt present a problem.
With less waste to get rid of, you will havefewer bowel movements.
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These foods are also less likely to stimulate contractions of the intestines (peristalsis).
It can also help during surgery recovery.
Your fiber intake is the biggest change you’ll make on a low-residue diet.
On a low-residue diet, youll consume just 10 to 15 g of fiber daily.
Adhering to a low-fiber or low-residue diet for up to a week before a colonoscopy can make prep easier.
Even if two people have the same symptoms, they won’t necessarily feel better eating the same foods.
Fruits with seeds not easily removed, like berries, are not recommended.
Avoid dried fruit, especially raisins, figs, dates, and prunes.
Most fruit juice is acceptable as long as you choose varieties without pulp.
You will want to avoid high-fiber prune juice, however.
Raw vegetables are typically too difficult to digestparticularly chewy and tough varieties like celery.
You may choose to completely avoid leafy greens like lettuce, though they may be tolerable when cooked.
White potato can be eaten mashed or boiled without the skin.
Avoid any pickled vegetables or sauerkraut.
Grains:Stick to bread and pasta made with refined carbohydrates.
Choose white rice instead of brown rice, wild rice, or rice pilaf.
Soda crackers and melba toast are approved.
Avoid high-fiber snacks such as popcorn.
Try hot breakfast cereals like Farina instead of oatmeal.
Grits and cream of wheat are other options.
Cold cereal choices include puffed rice or cornflakes.
Avoid bran and any cereals with nuts, seeds, berries, and/or chocolate.
Yogurt can be part of your daily servings of dairy but choose plain flavors.
Fats likebutter and margarineare approved as tolerated.
Protein:Eggs can be soft-boiled or poached.
Avoid nuts and seeds; nut butter is OK as long as you stick to creamy varieties.
Choose lean meat without gristle and cook until tender.
Avoid frying meat or adding heavyspices or seasonings.
Avoid beans and legumes including peas and lentils.
Beverages:Drinkplenty of water.
Avoid allalcoholic beveragesincluding wine, beer, and cocktails.
Desserts:Plain cakes and cookies made with refined white flour and sugar are typically easy to digest.
Sweets that contain chocolate, coconut, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit should be avoided.
Gelatin and ice pops are especially helpful if you are on aclear liquid diet.
Jelly, jam, and honey are approved as tolerated, given they dont contain seeds or pits.
They may avoid specific combinations of food if they notice it tends to make them feel unwell.
You might need to snack more frequently throughout the day.
Increasing your fluid intake can also help.
Many foods can also be easily microwaved.
Also, think about the ingredients a food has been cooked in or with.
Dense fats like butter or foods topped with cheese can make a relatively low-fiber meal harder to digest.
Cooking oils can be used as tolerated.
Modifications
A low-fiber or low-residue diet can be difficult to navigate if you havediabetes.
When choosing low-residue foods, focus on approved veggies and lean protein.
Eating a well-balanced diet is especially important if you are pregnant or nursing.
If you have a digestive disorder, pregnancy may exacerbate symptoms.
Your healthcare provider might suggest you make some temporary changes to your low-residue diet or take supplements.
These foods can temporarily discolor the tissue of your colon, making it look like blood during the test.
General Nutrition
Your healthcare provider may orderblood teststo check your vitamin and electrolyte levels.
Sustainability and Practicality
Many foods approved on a low-residue diet are plentiful at markets and grocery stores.
Ask your healthcare provider if your local community offers in-person support groups.
you’re free to also research online groups or message boards to join.
Ask your healthcare provider and health insurance provider if these items can be prescribed for you.
If yourhealth insurancewont cover the cost, ask about promotions, coupons, or patient assistance programs for prescriptions.
Probioticsupplements don’t treat digestive disorders, but an imbalance ofgut bacteriamay cause or worsen symptoms.
Low-Fiber Diet
A low-fiber diet is part of a low-residue diet.
One of the biggest differences between a low-fiber diet and low-residue diet is how much dairy is allowed.
Dairy is allowed on a low-fiber diet to the degree it’s possible for you to tolerate it.
Alow-FODMAP dietis similar to a low-residue diet, but not entirely.
BRAT Diet
TheBRAT Dietis commonly used to treat temporary digestive upsets like viralstomach fluor food poisoning.
A low-residue diet may be recommended for digestive disorders, colonoscopy prep, or recovery from surgery.
The longer you are on a low-residue diet, the harder it becomes to stay properly nourished.
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Iron-deficiency anemia.
Harvard Medical School.Vitamin B12 deficiency can be sneaky and harmful.
Werlang ME, Palmer WC, Lacy BE.Irritable bowel syndrome and dietary interventions.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y).
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