Recipes to Include in a Low-Residue Diet Menu | Livestrong.com (2024)

Recipes to Include in a Low-Residue Diet Menu | Livestrong.com (1)

You can eat cheese on a low-fiber diet, which is why cheese and crackers makes a great snack.

Image Credit: tirc83/iStock/GettyImages

If you're recovering from surgery or treatment on your digestive tract or have a condition like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), your doctor may recommend a low-residue diet menu. This is an eating plan that's low in fiber, which reduces strain on your digestive system so it can heal.

Advertisem*nt

Fiber is a nutrient that your body can't break down, and it's found in fruits, vegetables and grains, according to the Mayo Clinic. If your digestive system is functioning well, fiber is an essential nutrient that promotes good digestion. But if your GI tract is compromised, too much fiber can lead to irritation.

Video of the Day

Luckily, following a fiber-restricted diet can help. A typical low-residue, low-fiber diet contains 10 to 15 grams of fiber per day (for those without digestive concerns, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended 22 to 34 grams per day), per the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).

Here's a sample low-residue diet menu to try, including low-residue recipes and low-fiber snacks to enjoy.

What Can You Eat on a Low-Fiber Diet?

Per the NLM, the best foods to eat on a low-fiber diet include low-residue foods like:

  • Dairy products like milk and yogurt
  • Refined grains like white bread and pasta
  • Certain low-fiber fruits and veggies, like bananas and lettuce
  • Meat
  • Fish
  • Eggs
  • Tofu
  • Nut butter
  • Oils

Breakfast

Kick off your day with a low-residue meal that fuels you while also going easy on the fiber. According to the Mayo Clinic, here are some foods to munch on in the morning:

Advertisem*nt

  • Cornflakes with milk
  • White toast with smooth peanut butter
  • Fruit juice (as long as it doesn't contain pulp, according to the NLM)
  • Eggs, prepared your favorite way
  • Yogurt with skinless and seedless low-fiber fruit

You can also try one of these low-residue diet recipes:

Advertisem*nt

Tip

Only follow a low-residue diet if your doctor recommends it, according to the NLM. These low-fiber diet menu examples can be restrictive, so work with a medical professional to make sure your nutritional needs are being met.

Lunch is a great time to load up on nutrients like protein and beneficial fats while still keeping your fiber intake low. According to the Mayo Clinic, here's some inspiration for your midday meal:

  • Turkey or chicken sandwich on white bread with mayonnaise and shredded lettuce
  • Smooth peanut butter sandwich on white bread
  • Tomato soup (as long as it doesn't contain pulp, seeds or skin)
  • Fish with white rice and low-fiber vegetables
  • White pasta with shrimp

Advertisem*nt

For more specific soft, low-residue diet recipes, try:

Advertisem*nt

Can You Eat Lettuce With Crohn's Disease?

If you have a form of IBD called Crohn's disease, you may benefit from eating foods that are low in fiber. And according to the NLM, small quantities of shredded lettuce are typically OK to eat. However, talk to your doctor to settle on a diet plan that works best for you and your symptoms.

Dinner

Though a low-residue diet can be restrictive, there are still a number of options for your evening meal. According to the Mayo Clinic, you could eat:

Advertisem*nt

  • Meat loaf
  • Mashed potatoes with butter
  • Cooked low-fiber vegetables
  • Fish or seafood
  • White rice or pasta with tofu

Here are additional recipes to include in your low-residue diet menu:

Advertisem*nt

Snacks

There's no reason to skimp on snacks in between meals just because you're sticking to a low-residue diet. Try one of these suggestions from the Mayo Clinic and the NLM:

  • Yogurt
  • Slices of cheese on white crackers
  • Applesauce
  • Pudding
  • Cottage cheese

Advertisem*nt

Other good snack foods for a low-fiber diet include:

Snacks for Crohn's Disease

If you're following a low-fiber diet because you have Crohn's disease, these low-residue diet menu snacks should all be safe for you to eat, according to the Mayo Clinic and the NLM. That said, it's always best to talk to your doctor to determine the best eating plan for you.

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

Recipes to Include in a Low-Residue Diet Menu | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

What foods are allowed on a low residue diet? ›

Softer foods like white bread, white rice, peeled fruits and veggies, and lean, tender meats are considered low in residue. Is rice low residue? White rice is low residue. Brown rice is considered high residue and should be avoided when you're on this type of diet.

Can I eat hamburger on a low residue diet? ›

While you're on a low-residue diet, strictly limit your intake of fiber from grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds. Ground meat like hamburger is allowed, though you should be careful to cook it in a way that puts the least amount of strain on your digestive system.

Can you eat macaroni and cheese on a low residue diet? ›

A. Yes, you can eat macaroni on a low-residue diet. Macaroni and cheese are both low-residue products. But if you plan to eat out, ensure you do not include any other fibre-containing food product in your macaroni and cheese.

Can you eat scrambled eggs on a low residue diet? ›

Foods To Include:

Eggs: soft, baked, boiled or hard. Scrambled, poached or souffle. Potatoes: boiled, baked, creamed, mashed. Sweet potatoes.

What seasonings can you have on a low residue diet? ›

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

Can you eat spaghetti on a low residue diet? ›

A low fiber diet encourages consuming foods that are low in fiber, including cooked red meat, fish, or poultry, eggs, dairy, white rice, pasta, bread, lettuce, or fresh or canned fruits without the skin.

Can I eat salad on a low-residue diet? ›

You may include small amounts of raw vegetables like shredded lettuce or skinless, seedless cucumber. Dairy: You can include small amounts of dairy like milk or yogurt. Beverages: It may be necessary to drink additional fluids to avoid constipation.

Are mashed potatoes a low residue food? ›

Can include potatoes well boiled and mashed. Soft – well cooked 'pulpy' vegetables including mashed, pureed and creamed varieties such as mashed potato or mashed sweet potato, pureed squash or pureed swede. Sieved tomato sauces including passata and tomato puree. Smooth or sieved soup.

Can you eat peanut butter on a low-residue diet? ›

5-7 ounces/day Tender, broiled, stewed or creamed roast beef, veal, lamb, pork, ham, poultry, fish, chopped clams, oysters, liver, kidneys Cheeses: cream cheese, cottage, American, cheddar, Swiss or jack cheese Smooth peanut butter Fried meats, fish, or poultry; meats highly seasoned or containing whole spices; sausage ...

Can you eat pancakes on a low residue diet? ›

They leave the least residue, which results in less stool. This lets the intestine rest. What to choose: White bread, biscuits, muffins, and rolls; plain crackers; white pasta; white rice; cream of wheat; grits; white pancakes; cornflakes; cooked potatoes without skin.

Is applesauce OK for low residue diet? ›

Vegetables, without skin or seeds that are well-cooked. Fresh fruits including ripe bananas, cantaloupe, apricots, honeydew, papaya, peach, plums, and watermelon. Canned fruits without seeds or skin, like applesauce or pears. Lean, tender, ground, or well-cooked meats.

Can I eat tortilla chips on a low residue diet? ›

Popcorn, tortilla chips, Bombay mix, Twiglets®, cereal bars chocolates or sweets containing dried fruit/nuts/coconut. Spreads Jam, marmalade, honey, marmite, lemon curd Hummus and nut butters (including peanut butter). Aim to have a regular meal pattern and include foods from all food groups.

What sweets can you eat on a low-residue diet? ›

You can have dessert as long as you pass on goodies that have nuts, coconut, cocoa powder, or dried fruits. Try these treats instead: Plain cakes and cookies. Puddings, gelatin, and custard.

Can I eat bananas on a low-residue diet? ›

Foods Allowed on a Low Residue Diet

fruit without peels or seeds and certain canned or well-cooked fruit (e.g., peeled apples, seedless peeled grapes, banana, cantaloupe, etc.) some soft, cooked vegetables (e.g., beets, beans, carrots, cucumber, eggplant, mushrooms, etc.)

Are graham crackers allowed on a low-fiber diet? ›

Foods to Include:

Plain cereals e.g. Cheerios, Cornflakes, Cream of Wheat, Rice Krispies, Special K. Tea biscuits, arrowroot cookies, soda crackers, graham crackers, plain melba toast. Corn and flour tortillas, cornbread. White rice, refined pasta and noodles.

Which of the following foods are not allowed on a low residue diet? ›

What Are The Guidelines Of The Low Fiber/Low Residue Diet? Avoid any food made with seeds, nuts, or raw or dried fruit. Avoid whole-grain breads and cereals, purchase products made from refined white flour. Do not eat raw fruits or vegetables and remove skins before cooking.

Can I eat salad on a low residue diet? ›

You may include small amounts of raw vegetables like shredded lettuce or skinless, seedless cucumber. Dairy: You can include small amounts of dairy like milk or yogurt. Beverages: It may be necessary to drink additional fluids to avoid constipation.

What are the top 10 low fiber foods? ›

Choose these foods:
  • Tender meat, fish and poultry, ham, bacon, shellfish, and lunch meat.
  • Eggs, tofu and creamy peanut butter.
  • Dairy products if tolerated.
  • White rice and pasta.
  • Baked goods made with refined wheat or rye flour, such as bread, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, bagels, saltines and graham crackers.

Can I eat bananas on a low residue diet? ›

Foods Allowed on a Low Residue Diet

fruit without peels or seeds and certain canned or well-cooked fruit (e.g., peeled apples, seedless peeled grapes, banana, cantaloupe, etc.) some soft, cooked vegetables (e.g., beets, beans, carrots, cucumber, eggplant, mushrooms, etc.)

References

Top Articles
From baked kimchi rice to custard cream affogato: Yotam Ottolenghi's egg recipes
62 Comfort Food Recipes You Definitely Need Right Now
Lakers Game Summary
Tlc Africa Deaths 2021
Ups Stores Near
Tryst Utah
Breaded Mushrooms
Coverage of the introduction of the Water (Special Measures) Bill
How Many Cc's Is A 96 Cubic Inch Engine
Devotion Showtimes Near Mjr Universal Grand Cinema 16
When is streaming illegal? What you need to know about pirated content
Gt Transfer Equivalency
Lqse-2Hdc-D
Nashville Predators Wiki
Summoners War Update Notes
Best Fare Finder Avanti
Oro probablemente a duna Playa e nomber Oranjestad un 200 aña pasa, pero Playa su historia ta bay hopi mas aña atras
Cpt 90677 Reimbursem*nt 2023
Echat Fr Review Pc Retailer In Qatar Prestige Pc Providers – Alpha Marine Group
Does Breckie Hill Have An Only Fans – Repeat Replay
Honda cb750 cbx z1 Kawasaki kz900 h2 kz 900 Harley Davidson BMW Indian - wanted - by dealer - sale - craigslist
Aldine Isd Pay Scale 23-24
Alfie Liebel
Hermitcraft Texture Pack
Sulfur - Element information, properties and uses
Cvs El Salido
Costco Gas Hours St Cloud Mn
Reser Funeral Home Obituaries
How To Tighten Lug Nuts Properly (Torque Specs) | TireGrades
Breckiehill Shower Cucumber
Is Holly Warlick Married To Susan Patton
Craigslist Rome Ny
Jurassic World Exhibition Discount Code
Hobby Lobby Hours Parkersburg Wv
A Man Called Otto Showtimes Near Carolina Mall Cinema
Rainfall Map Oklahoma
031515 828
Southtown 101 Menu
Kaiser Infozone
Envy Nails Snoqualmie
Sitting Human Silhouette Demonologist
Powerball lottery winning numbers for Saturday, September 7. $112 million jackpot
Wilson Tattoo Shops
Studentvue Calexico
Terrell Buckley Net Worth
Hughie Francis Foley – Marinermath
Big Brother 23: Wiki, Vote, Cast, Release Date, Contestants, Winner, Elimination
Mail2World Sign Up
18 Seriously Good Camping Meals (healthy, easy, minimal prep! )
Sleep Outfitters Springhurst
Unbiased Thrive Cat Food Review In 2024 - Cats.com
Craigslist Charlestown Indiana
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5830

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.