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 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
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 cornbread), 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
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