Low Residue Diet

I’ve just had surgery and my surgeon has recommended a low fiber or low residue diet. What is that?

What Is a Low-Residue Diet?
A low-residue diet is a diet in which fiber and other foods that are harder for your body to digest are restricted. Fiber is made up of plant material that cannot be completely digested by the body. High-fiber foods include whole-grain breads and cereals, nuts, seeds, and raw or dried fruits. Residue refers to undigested foods, including fiber, that make up stool. A low-residue/low-fiber diet may be recommended for a short-term following surgery to help with recovery.

Low-Residue Diet: Foods to Enjoy
Eating a low-residue/low-fiber diet goes against what nutritionists tout as a healthy way to eat because it severely limits fiber intake and other important nutrients. A low-residue/low-fiber diet usually stays away from grainy, nutty foods that are loaded with fiber.
Here are foods you can eat if you are on a low-residue diet:

Grains

• Refined or enriched white breads and plain crackers, such as saltines or Melba toast (no seeds)

• Cooked cereals, such as farina, cream of wheat, and grits

• Cold cereals, such as puffed rice and corn flakes

• White rice, noodles, and refined pasta
  
  

Fruits and Vegetables
The skin and seeds of many fruits and vegetables are loaded with fiber, so peeling skin and avoiding seeds is part of a low-residue diet. The following vegetables can be eaten on a low-residue diet:

• Well cooked fresh vegetables or canned vegetables without seeds, such as asparagus tips, beets, green beans, carrots, mushrooms, spinach, squash (no seeds), and pumpkin

• Cooked potatoes without skin

• Tomato sauce (no seeds)
  
  

Fruits include:

• Ripe bananas

• Soft cantaloupe

• Honeydew

• Canned or cooked fruits without seeds or skin, such as applesauce or canned pears

• Avocado

Milk and Dairy
Milk products are OK to eat, in moderation. Milk does not contain fiber, but it may trigger symptoms such as diarrhea and cramping for some people with lactose intolerance. As an alternative, using lactase supplements or eating lactose-free products may be options.

Meats and Protein
You can enjoy most meats, including beef, lamb, chicken, fish (no bones), and pork, as long as they are lean, tender, and soft. Eggs are also OK to eat.

Fats, Sauces, and Condiments
All of the following condiments are fine to eat on a low-residue diet:

• Margarine, butter, and oils

• Mayonnaise and ketchup

• Sour cream

• Smooth sauces and salad dressing

• Soy sauce

• Clear jelly, honey, and syrup
  
  

Sweets and Snacks
You can still satisfy your sweet tooth on a low-residue diet. The following desserts and snacks are OK to eat, in moderation:

• Plain cakes and cookies

• Gelatin, plain puddings, custard, and sherbet

• Ice cream and popsicles

• Hard candy

• Pretzels

• Vanilla wafers
  
  

Drinks
Safe drinks to enjoy on a low-residue diet include:

• Decaffeinated coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages (caffeine can irritate the stomach)

• Milk

• Juices made without seeds or pulp, such as apple juice, no-pulp orange juice, and cranberry juice

• Strained vegetable juices

Low-Residue Diet: Foods to Avoid
While on a low-residue diet, these foods or drinks are generally avoided:

• Seeds, nuts, or coconut, including those found in bread, cereal, desserts, and candy

• Whole-grain products, including whole-grain breads, cereals, crackers, pasta, rice, and kasha

• Raw or dried fruits, such as prunes, berries, raisins, figs, and pineapple

• Most raw vegetables

• Certain cooked vegetables, including peas, broccoli, winter squash, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, corn (and corn bread), onions, cauliflower, potatoes with skin, and baked beans

• Beans, lentils, or tofu

• Tough meats with gristle and smoked or cured deli meats

• Cheese with seeds, nuts, or fruit

• Peanut butter, jam, marmalade, or preserves

• Pickles, olives, relish, sauerkraut, and horseradish

• Popcorn

• Fruit juices with pulp or seeds, prune juice, or pear nectar

Low-Residue Diet: Sample Menu
There are many meal options to choose from on a low-residue diet. In fact, you can even buy cookbooks that specialize in low-residue meals. Here are some meal options to get you started:

Breakfast

• Decaffeinated coffee with cream and sugar

• Cup of juice, such as no-pulp orange juice, apple juice, or cranberry juice

• Cream of wheat

• Scrambled eggs

• Waffles, French toast, or pancakes

• White bread toast with margarine and grape jelly (no seeds)
  
  

Lunch

• Baked chicken, white rice, canned carrots, or green beans

• Salad with baked chicken, American cheese, smooth salad dressing, white dinner roll

• Baked potato (no skin) with sour cream and butter or margarine

• Hamburger with white seedless bun, ketchup, and mayonnaise -- lettuce if it doesn't worsen your symptoms
  
  

Dinner

• Tender roast beef, white rice, cooked carrots or spinach, white dinner roll with margarine or butter

• Pasta with butter or olive oil, French bread, fruit cocktail

• Baked chicken, white rice or baked potato without skin, and cooked green beans

• Broiled fish, white rice, and canned green beans