A low fiber or low residue diet limits the consumption of dietary fiber, oftentimes by placing restrictions on foods found to have high amounts, including certain fruits, vegetables, dairy, and whole-grain products. This diet reduces stool size and frequency, particularly helping those suffering from flare-ups caused by Inflammatory Bowel Disease as it relieves the intestines from working as hard.

Low Fiber-Low Residue Diet (4-10 Grams Fiber)

Dietary fiber is the undigestible part of plants that maintains the structure of the plant. Dietary fiber includes cellulose, hemicel­lulose, polysaccharides, pectins, gums, mucilages, and lignins. Although they are chemically unrelated, they all resist digestion by the human body. It is this resistance that makes these fibers important in both the nor­mal functioning and in disorders of the large intestine or colon.

In certain medical conditions, it is important to restrict fiber. These include acute or subacute diverticulitis and the acute phas­es of certain inflammatory condi­tions of the bowel-ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. After some types of intestinal surgery, a low fiber, low residue diet may be used as a transition to a regular diet. A low-fiber diet may also be used for a period of time after a colostomy or ileostomy is performed.

Nutrition Facts

Depending upon individual food selection, the Low Fiber, Low Residue Diet is adequate in all nutrients (National Research Council’s Recommended Dietary Allowance). If the diet must be strict and followed over a long period of time, the intake of fruits and vegetables may not be adequate, and/or on a low residue diet, there may not be enough calcium included. In these cases, a multivitamin supplement or liquid nutritional supplement may be needed.

Special Considerations

If a low fiber or low residue diet results in abdominal cramps or discomfort, notify the dietitian or physician immediately.

Although your body needs cholesterol, having too much cholesterol can lead to serious health issues, including coronary artery disease and other heart diseases. One of the remedies for lowering high cholesterol is following a low cholesterol diet. This includes limiting your diet to 30% of calories from fat and consuming less than 300mg/day of cholesterol. Place close attention to the number of mg found in animal products as many are found to contain high amounts of cholesterol, including egg yolks, shrimp, whole milk dairy products, and liver and other organ meats.

How to help lower your cholesterol:

• Limit foods with cholesterol
• Eat plenty of soluble fiber (whole grain cereals such as oatmeal, fruit, and legumes)
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Eat fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Limit salt
• Limit alcohol

If you are suffering from mild to moderate constipation (having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week), constipation can be treated at home by making some changes to your diet. The most essential change is to eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fiber. Fiber and water help soothe the process to pass stool through the colon. Some foods high in fiber include fruits, legumes, whole-grain bread, and cereals.

Guidelines for Managing Constipation:

Purpose: The bland or soft diet is designed to decrease peristalsis and avoid irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Use: It is appropriate for people with peptic ulcer disease, chronic gastritis, reflux esophagitis or dyspepsia. It may also be used in the treatment of hiatal hernia.

The soft/ bland diet consists of foods that are easily digestible, mildly seasoned and tender. Fried foods, highly seasoned foods and most raw gas-forming fruits and vegetables are eliminated. Drinks containing Xanthine and alcohol should also be avoided.