The low residue diet menu includes many foods which are low in fiber and thus aids in the digestion purposes. Read this HealthHearty article to find more about this diet menu.
A low residue diet is defined as the type of diet which limits foods rich in residue or fiber, and helps in slowing down bowel movements. It leaves a minimal amount of undigested material in the digestive tract. Residue or fiber is that part of the food which is not digested by the digestive system, and remains in the intestinal tract to form stools. If your daily diet comprises a high fiber diet, the amount of residue in the intestinal tract is more, and you experience the need to pass stool more often. However, if you follow a low residue diet, which is not the same as low fiber diet (low residue is more restricted), there is less amount of residue formed in your intestines leading to limited passing of stools.
Low Residue Diet: Uses
Not everyone suffering from digestive problems is advised to follow the low residue diet menu. This diet is only prescribed for patients who have gone through abdominal surgeries or those who are suffering from issues like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or diverticulitis. The diet can be used to control inflammation of bowel walls in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It is also used to clean the bowel for a colonoscopy or other pre-operative preparations. It is often recommended to patients suffering from diarrhea or abdominal cramping. As mentioned above, the low residue diet is more strict than the low fiber diet, and limits consumption of fiber and other foods which can’t be digested by the digestive system.
The result of this diet is reduction in your bowel movements and abdominal pain, which are caused because of diseases and disorders like diarrhea and diverticulitis. But there is one drawback related to this diet, which is limitation of nutrients due to the strict consumption of low fiber foods. Thus, this diet is suggested for a very short time. It includes foods without skin and seeds, and baked foods made with refined white flour. With a few ideas for low residue diet recipes, there are menu ideas for this diet mentioned in the coming up paragraphs, just for you. Take a look!
Breakfast Menu Ideas
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and thus needs to be healthy. If you are consuming any dairy products, it is advised to have only 2 cups daily and not more. The low residue diet food items for breakfast can be;
- Muffins
- Cheerios
- Mayonnaise, honey, salad dressing, and ketchup
- Cream of Wheat
- Croissant
- Eggs (all types)
- English muffin
- French toast
- Milkshake
- Decaffeinated coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages (caffeine can irritate the stomach)
- Juices made without seeds or pulp, such as apple juice, no-pulp orange juice, and cranberry juice
- Strained vegetable juices
- Pancakes
- Puffs
- Rice Krispies
- Special K
- Toasted bread or bagel
Your lunch and dinner can include almost all regular foods, but make sure there are no nuts, seeds, vegetables, or whole grains consumed. Dried fruits are also foods you should avoid in this diet. You may design your meals with the help of following foods.
- Beef
- Chicken burger
- Chicken wings or chicken balls
- Egg and cheese quiche
- Fish
- Fish burger
- Ham
- Hamburger
- Meatloaf or meatballs
- Pasta (fresh or canned)
- Perogies
- Pork
- Potatoes without skin – baked, mashed, scalloped.
- Poultry
- Sandwiches
- Shepherd’s pie
- Stews or soups
- Tacos, crepes, or tortillas
- Tofu
The snacks that can be included should be very light, and they have to be cooked. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables as they are high fiber foods. Some more options to be included can be:
- Digestive cookies
- Biscuit and cheese slices
- Canned fruit
- Fruit juice
- Garlic bread with cheese
- Hard candies or caramels
- Licorice or gum drops
- Melba toast and applesauce
- Muffin and banana
- Plain bagel and cream cheese
- Plain donut or cake
- Pretzels
- Scone
- Sherbet, ice cream, or pudding
- Soda crackers and smooth peanut butter
- Yogurt – (vanilla, peach, plain, lemon, coffee, caramel)
Now that you have a list of low residue diet foods, you can have a healthy and delicious diet, and stay healthy and fit. But before you decide to go for this diet, make sure to consult your doctor.
Disclaimer:
This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be replaced for the advice of a physician/nutritionist.
