A low residue diet restricts fibrous foods that are hard to digest. It can be helpful for people with conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and diverticulitis or before bowel surgery or colonoscopy.

Read on to learn more about the low residue diet, when it can be helpful, and what foods to eat and exclude.

A low residue diet restricts foods high in fiber. “Residue” refers to the material left in your digestive tract after the initial stages of digestion are finished. This material enters your stool and exits the body when you use the bathroom.

Stools often contain a lot of undigested fiber because the body can’t fully digest fiber. In cases of digestive conditions, it can lead to diarrhea, bloating, gas, and stomach cramps.

Therefore, the low residue diet aims to reduce the frequency and size of bowel movements to reduce these symptoms and lower the chance of intestinal obstruction.

There are a number of situations when the low residue diet may be helpful. This includes managing certain medical conditions and prepping for various medical procedures.

Medical conditions

Examples of gastric conditions that might benefit from a low residue diet include:

  • IBD, such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis
  • infectious colitis
  • acute diverticulitis
  • mitochondrial disease affecting digestion

The evidence for the effectiveness of the low residue diet in terms of reducing intestinal symptoms related to conditions like IBD is mostly anecdotal, and more research is still needed. However, some doctors will still recommend this diet over others.

The low residue diet is usually only recommended for the short term. But with a chronic medical condition, you may need to follow it long-term.

Medical treatments and procedures

In addition, the low residue diet may be recommended as prep for medical procedures or treatments instead of a liquid diet. These include colonoscopy and bowel surgery.

Research suggests that following a residue diet before a bowel procedure like a colonoscopy or another surgery like a cesarean delivery (C-section) might help you tolerate the procedure better. However, here too, more study is needed.

While there’s no research to support this, some doctors may also recommend it before radiation or chemotherapy.

The daily recommended amount of fiber that people should ideally consume is about 28 grams (g) a day, but varies depending on your age and sex.

However, people with conditions like IBD or those about to undergo a procedure or treatment may need to avoid a high fiber diet. In this case, the typical advice is to consume no more than 10 to 15 g of fiber a day.

In addition, your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid most dairy products and certain types of carbohydrates, as these may also provoke abdominal cramping and diarrhea.

That said, the types of food and amounts eaten can differ for every person because it depends on their needs. Your doctor or dietitian can help you understand how to follow your diet.

The following are general guidelines for a low residue diet with many healthy food options. You can change them based on how your body reacts to the diet and your healthcare team’s recommendations.

  • Refined carbohydrates: This includes foods like white bread or pasta.
  • Fruit: Choose ripened, skinless, or seedless fruits that are raw, canned, or cooked, such as bananas, apricots, potatoes, or spinach. You may include small amounts of raw vegetables like shredded lettuce or skinless, seedless cucumber.
  • Dairy: You can include small amounts of dairy like milk or yogurt.
  • Meat: Choose finely ground, well-cooked, or tender cuts of animal foods like beef, lamb, chicken, or fish
  • Beverages: It may be necessary to drink additional fluids to avoid constipation. Choose water, clear broth fruit juice, or strained vegetable juice.
  • Condiments: Spices and herbs, butter, margarine, vegetable oil, plain gravy, honey, and syrup are generally allowed.
  • Snacks and desserts: You may include small portions of options like cake, cookies, ice cream, custard, or sherbet.

A dietitian can also help you identify foods you should avoid on a low residue diet. Here are some foods that should typically be avoided:

  • legumes, nuts, and seeds
  • most raw fruits and vegetables
  • popcorn
  • unprocessed coconut
  • most whole grains, including bread or pasta
  • figs, prunes, and berries
  • dried fruits
  • deli meats
  • spicy foods and dressings
  • caffeine
  • prune juice or juice with pulp
  • chocolate
  • tough, fibrous meats with gristle

Here are a few example meals to try on a low residue diet.

For breakfast:

  • scrambled eggs
  • pancakes or french toast with butter
  • pulp-free juice or decaffeinated coffee with milk and sugar

For lunch:

  • baked chicken breast with cooked carrots
  • cheeseburger with a seedless bun, onion, lettuce, and ketchup
  • turkey or chicken sandwich on French bread

For dinner:

  • white rice, steamed vegetables, and baked chicken
  • baked potato with the skin removed, butter, and sour cream
  • broiled fish, asparagus, and pasta with butter or olive oil

Meal prep tips

Good cooking methods for a low residue diet include:

  • steaming
  • braising
  • poaching
  • simmering
  • microwaving

Low residue foods should be well-cooked. Avoid cooking methods such as roasting, broiling, or grilling, which may make food tough or dry.

Fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes supply important antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and more.

Normally, you should try to consume a balanced diet unless your healthcare team tells you otherwise, as the low residue diet may not provide enough of certain nutrients your body needs to function optimally.

All of these nutrients are essential for good health. Supplements may be necessary to correct deficiencies.

Always talk with your healthcare team before changing your diet or adding supplements.

Pros of a low residue diet

  • lets your digestive system rest and heal
  • may help reduce uncomfortable digestive symptoms like gas and diarrhea
  • may help your stomach tolerate medical procedures
  • may help you adjust to solid foods after a liquid diet

Cons of a low residue diet

  • low in important nutrients, primarily fiber
  • may cause constipation
  • may leave you hungry
  • limited research-based evidence for effectiveness

A low residue diet is usually temporary and limits foods that are hard to digest, primarily those high in fiber.

It’s often recommended for people with certain digestive conditions or before medical procedures. While there isn’t much research supporting it, some doctors still suggest it.

Speak with your doctor before trying this diet, as it doesn’t include all the necessary nutrients and may be harmful if followed for too long. That said, some people may need to follow it long-term.