Doctors and dietitians recommend low-residue diets for certain medical conditions. The goal is to reduce the amount and frequency of stools to relieve the bowel.
A low-residue diet does indeed reduce elements that are not well digested by the small intestine. Among these are mainly fiber but also certain fats, cellulose, or proteins, as shown in this study.
This diet reduces the workload of the intestine and thus the abdominal pain, cramps, and diarrhea that some people may experience.
The foods to avoid are therefore raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Conversely, the low-residue diet favors certain types of foods.
1. Meats and proteins
Among the well-tolerated proteins within a low-residue diet, I recommend favoring chicken, turkey, skinless cooked fish, and eggs, depending on your tolerance.
2. Carbohydrates
People following a low-residue diet find that carbohydrates often make up the largest part of their plate.
Warning, this involves (contrary to the usual recommendations) choosing refined carbohydrates to limit fiber. Prefer refined (white) pasta, white rice, or white bread.
3. Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are among the foods to set aside during a low-residue diet.
However, you can try pulp-free fruit juices, fruit purees without skin or seeds, and cooked, peeled vegetables. Most of the fiber is then removed before ingestion.
4. Les produits laitiers
For dairy products, I recommend consuming only those that are low in fat: skim milk, low-fat yogurts…
In any case, this food group should be limited for better tolerance.
5. Hydration
This is not a food, but you need to pay special attention to this point! It is crucial to stay well hydrated, as a low-residue diet can lead to dehydration.
Indeed, a major drawback of this diet is the low fiber content, which can lead to constipation and other nutritional imbalances. I therefore recommend that you stay well hydrated throughout the day.
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6. Probiotics
Although they are not foods, I include probiotics because they can have a beneficial effect on your microbiota during a low-residue diet.
Indeed, if you have undergone surgery or if you suffer from an IBD, your intestines and your microbiota are put under strain.
Supporting your low-residue diet with probiotics can help restore your gut flora in the long term, as you can read in this study.
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Why are low-residue diets prescribed?
For a colonoscopy
Several reasons may lead to recommending a low-residue diet to a patient. It can be used to prepare for a medical examination, before a procedure such as a colonoscopy, as shown in this study.
The low-residue diet thus helps empty the colon of residue and makes the examination easier.
For IBD and digestive surgery
For patients with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), I regularly suggest trying a low-residue diet. Indeed, this exclusion diet (that is, one that excludes certain foods) has proven effective, as can be seen in this study.
Moreover, after digestive surgery, low-residue diets are sometimes recommended to allow gentle healing and to give the intestine less work. People who have a chronic intestinal disease follow this diet during flare-ups (acute pain) and then gradually return to a balanced diet.
Always under medical supervision
Un régime sans résidu ne doit pas dépasser 7 jours. En effet, il peut entraîner sur le long terme des carences en fer, vitamines et une constipation. Je vous conseille d’y recourir judicieusement et sous contrôle médical pour éviter les déséquilibres nutritionnels.
Sources and scientific studies
Douglas L Nguyen, M Mazen Jamal, Emily T Nguyen, Srinivas R Puli, Matthew L Bechtold, 2016. Low-residue versus clear liquid diet before colonoscopy: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.
Ashley Charlebois, Greg Rosenfeld, Brian Bressler, 2016. The Impact of Dietary Interventions on the Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review.
Aqsa Z. Sorathia, Sufian J. Sorathia, 2023. Low Residue Diet.
Seon-Kyun Kim, Robin B Guevarra, You-Tae Kim, Joongi Kwon, Hyeri Kim, Jae Hyoung Cho, Hyeun Bum Kim, Ju-Hoon Lee, 2019. Role of Probiotics in Human Gut Microbiome-Associated Diseases.
