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Low Residue Diet

The low residue diet has been prescribed to assist in the healing of the colon. It is also used on a temporary basis to prepare for procedures. This diet is low in fiber and fat. Milk and milk products should be avoided in people with diarrhea and/or lactose intolerance. Nutritional supplements that are low in residue and are lactose free, such as Ensure, Ensure Plus, and Sustacal, may be added to the low residue diet if additional calories and/or protein are needed.

Reasons you may be prescribed a low residue diet:

  • To assist in the healing of the colon
  • To prep for a colonoscopy
  • To treat ulcerative colitis and/or Crohn’s flare up
  • If you have diverticulitis

See below for more information on low residue diets and recipes.

beverages

allowed

  • Coffee, tea and decaffeinated beverages including Kool-aid, fruit punch, fruit flavored beverages, and sports drinks
  • Skim or 1% milk (limit to 1 cup/day)
  • Carbonated beverages (limit to 1 cup per day)

not allowed

  • High fat milk & milk products
  • Alcohol

breads, cereal, rice, & pasta

allowed

  • Soft breads such as white breads, rolls, and hamburger/hot dog buns
  • Crackers without wheat, nuts, or seeds
  • Cooked or dry refined cereals (i.e. grits or cream of wheat)
  • Rice krispies, corn flakes, Special K
  • White rice
  • Pasta, plain

not allowed

  • Whole grain breads or cereals
  • Oatmeal
  • Breads or cereals containing nuts, seeds, or dried fruit
  • Granola cereals
  • Highly seasoned or whole grain crackers or pasta
  • Brown or wild rice
  • Pasta
  • Any with nuts, seeds, or fruit
  • seasoned bread, grain, or pasta

fruit/juices

allowed

  • All strained fruit juices
  • Canned peaches, pears, apricots
  • Applesauce
  • Ripe banana
  • Baked apple without skin

not allowed

  • All other fruits and juices
  • No prunes or prune juice

vegetables

allowed

  • Tender, cooked soft vegetables. Limited to green beans, wax beans, winter squash, asparagus, beets, carrots, and white or sweet potatoes (all skins removed)
  • Vegetable juices (not V-8)
  • Tomato sauce, plain with no spice

not allowed

  • Raw vegetables
  • All vegetables with skins
  • Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, dried beans and peas, onions, rutabagas
  • Fried vegetables
  • Highly seasoned or fried potatoes
  • Potato chips
  • V-8 juice

meat or substitute

allowed

  • Baked, broiled, boiled, roasted, stewed, or microwaved tender chicken, turkey, veal, beef, lamb, and lean pork
  • Smooth peanut butter
  • Tofu
  • Eggs or egg substitute (not fried)
  • Tuna, crawfish, shrimp, crabmeat
  • Low fat cheeses
  • Soft mild American or cheddar cheese

not allowed

  • All fried meats
  • Meats cooked in a fatty roux or cream sauce
  • Tough, stringy, highly seasoned meats
  • Sausage, boudin, cracklins
  • Regular cold cuts, hot dogs
  • Dried peas or beans
  • Sharp yellow or other strongly flavored cheeses

soups

allowed

  • Clear broth based soups
  • Chicken or turkey noodle
  • Chicken with rice

not allowed

  • All others

fats/oils

allowed

  • Limit 1-2 tsp per meal
  • Margarine, butter, mayonnaise, oil, non-dairy creamer
  • Crisp bacon, limit to 2 slices/day

not allowed

  • All fried foods
  • All others

sweets & desserts

allowed

  • Sugar, syrup, honey, jelly, seedless jam, molasses, non-nutritive sweeteners,
  • Hard candies
  • Plain cakes (angel food, sponge)
  • Plain cookies (animal, sugar, vanilla)
  • Jello-O, Popsicles, sherbet, frozen yogurt
  • Ice cream/milk (limit to 2X weekly)

not allowed

  • Jams & marmalade
  • Sweets containing nuts, coconut, or chocolate
  • All others

miscellaneous

allowed

  • Salt, mild herbs and flavorings, such as vanilla, cinnamon and paprika
  • Mildly flavored gravies and sauces
  • Lemon juice
  • non-nutritive sweeteners

not allowed

  • Strongly flavored seasonings including black and red pepper
  • Mustard seeds, onions, garlic
  • Strong condiments such as vinegar, catsup, mustard, barbecue sauce, horseradish, steak sauce
  • Coconut, nuts, pickles, olives, popcorn

sample menus

Breakfast

½ cup apple juice 
½ cup grits w 1 tsp margarine 
1 poached egg 
1 slice white toast 
1-cup skim milk 
1-cup decaf coffee

Breakfast

1-cup corn flake cereal 
1-cup skim milk 
1 ripe banana 
1-cup decaf coffee

Lunch

3 oz roast beef/gravy 
½ cup mashed potatoes 
1-cup steamed carrots 
1 dinner roll 
1 slice angel food cake 
1-cup fruit punch

Lunch

1-cup chicken noodle soup 
Sandwich: 3 oz turkey, white bread, 1 tsp mayonnaise 
1-cup fruit punch

Dinner

3 oz baked chicken 
2/3 cup buttered rice 
½ cup green beans 
½ cup canned peaches 
1-cup iced tea

Dinner

3oz baked pork 
Mashed potatoes 
1 tsp margarine/butter 
1-cup waxed beans 
1-cup sherbet 
1-cup Kool-aid

 

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