The human body is unable to digest the fiber in fruits, vegetables and grains, and the fiber from plants leaves residue in your intestines. A low-fiber, low-residue diet restricts the amount of fiber you consume to decrease the amount of residue in your intestines. Your doctor may recommend this diet if you have an inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's, or if you are recovering from bowel surgery. The reduced residue helps decrease abdominal pain and flare ups and slows bowel activity.
Although the terms "low-residue" and "low-fiber" are used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference. A low-fiber diet restricts the amount of fiber you consume, but may not necessarily lower the residue in your bowels. This is because some low-fiber foods such as dairy, actually increase the residue in your bowels, according to the Gastroenterology Associates of Central Virginia. On the other hand, a low-residue diet restricts fiber and other foods that increase residue. So if your goal is to decrease fiber and residue, you follow a low-residue diet because it does both.
Your goal on a low-fiber, low-residue diet is to consume less than 10 to 15 milligrams of fiber daily, according to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. As your symptoms improve, your physician may change this amount, but this is the typical limit, at least initially. Your physician will provide you with a list of common foods and their fiber content. You must keep tabs throughout the day so that you stay within your limit. When grocery shopping, read labels and check the fiber content before purchasing.
Aim to limit fiber-containing foods, milk, milk products and caffeine, according to Tufts University. Include rice, refined cereals and white bread, but avoid foods made with whole-grain flour, seeds, bran or nuts. Drink fruit juices without pulp, but avoid prune juice since it increases bowel activity. Opt for canned or well-cooked vegetables; raw vegetables may cause abdominal pain, according to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. You must avoid all dried beans and peas since they are high in fiber. You can consume well-cooked meats.
Create your daily menus with low-fiber and low-residue foods in mind. For example, for breakfast you can have 1/2 cup of fruit juice, one slice of white bread toast with jelly and 3/4 cup of a refined cereal. For lunch you can have a 3-ounce turkey burger on a white bread bun along with cooked vegetables, and for dinner try a 3-ounce chicken breast with 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes and 1/2 cup of cooked vegetables.
- Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images