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