What is the low residue diet?
The low residue is a popular diet prescribed to patients with inflammatory bowel disease who are flaring or have strictures and is also sometimes used for IBS-D. It essentially focuses on limiting foods that are high in fibre and high in fat-so things as vegetables with skins, greasy food or whole grains. The diet focuses therefore on meat, well-cooked vegetables, and low-fibre carbs.
Why is the low residue diet recommended for those with IBD?
High fibre and fat foods may irritate an already inflamed bowel. As a rule, lower residue foods may cause less irritation and if a patient is flaring, it is recommended they remove foods high in fibre or fat temporarily. This diet is also recommended for patients at risk of strictures, as high-fibre foods may worsen the issue or get stuck and cause a blockage.
What are some of the issues with a low residue diet?
The first issue with low residue is that by perception or poor guidance, patients sometimes believe they cannot eat any vegetables at all and tend to stick to foods such as potatoes and rice. This is obviously boring but also puts you at risk of nutritional defencies. I know this first hand as I wrote a blog post entitled 7 ways to get more vegetables into your diet (even on low residue) which some people got very angry about saying that it was not possible to eat any vegetables on a low residue diet. But NHS guides state that well-cooked sweet potato is fine, as is the flesh of most well-cooked seeded vegetables (see more below)
However, many patients end up on the diet long-term and it becomes really restrictive. Therefore, if you are in a position of being on this long-term then it’s really important to be aware of potential deficiencies- noticeably vitamin C, D, A, Iron and B12 that may arise from the diet.
Also, be conscious that we do need fibre-even if it feels like the enemy! It helps feed our gut bacteria, remove waste from the bowel and slow down our blood sugar absorption.
It’s wise to consider healthier soluble fibre veggies such as sweet potatoes or consider juicing and blending- which may help the fibre become easier to digest (I’ve got lots of juicing posts to get you started).
Does the low residue diet mean I can’t eat vegetables?
Yes, you can eat vegetables on a low residue diet. Ones listed on the NHS guide include: well-cooked vegetables such as carrot, broccoli florets, swede, turnips and carrots along with fruits such as melon, stewed apples, ripe bananas, tinned peaches and fruit juice without bits.
I always suggest people begin with soluble fibre vegetables; many of which are allowed on a low residue diet if cooked properly; like sweet potato or carrot. Juicing fruit and vegetables can also help remove the fibre.
How can I eat healthily on the low residue diet?
My guide: 7 ways to get more fruit and veg on the low residue diet is a good place to start. Making soups, smoothies and juicing can help reduce/blend down the fibre of some fruits and vegetables that you can tolerate. Focus on incorporating plenty of ‘safe’ fruit and veggies into your diet that are well cooked and peeled. Consider supplementing if needed and always speak to your doctor about working with a dietitian to transition away from the low residue diet when it’s safe to do so.
My favourite low residue recipes
Dear Jenna, I am so grateful to you for putting together this information and recipes for the low residue diet. I think this is one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted “diets” there is. By coincidence I had worked out your soup recipe for myself and it’s a life saver. Liz
AH thanks so much Liz!
Really useful information! thank you. Just one question if I may, does low residue also mean, and sorry if it is TMI , that you will poo less, i.e. the above foods get absorbed into the body completely so nothing is left too pass through to the very end of the gut?
Thank you for this clear and practical guide! A low-residue diet can be really helpful for people managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — especially during flare-ups or times when the gut is inflamed and needs a break from high-fiber foods that can be harder to digest. Doctors and dietitians often recommend this kind of diet to help reduce the amount of undigested material moving through the bowel, which can ease symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain while allowing the digestive tract some rest.
I appreciate that your post includes recipes and food ideas, because planning meals that fit these guidelines — like refined grains, peeled/cooked fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins — makes it much easier to follow the diet while still enjoying good nutrition and flavour. Many of the foods suggested (like white rice, plain pasta, cooked veggies without skins, and tender meats) are the very ones commonly used in low-residue plans because they’re easy on the gut.
It’s also important to remember that a low-residue diet is usually meant for short-term use — during flares or specific phases of IBD — because long-term restriction of fiber can make it harder to meet overall nutritional needs. Working with a healthcare provider or dietitian can help make sure nutrition stays balanced and that high-fiber foods can be re-introduced when appropriate