Low-Residue Diet: Foods to Eat & Avoid | [Your Brand/Website]

A low-residue diet minimizes bowel movements. People who need to follow this diet include those who have diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease or who have just had an ileostomy.

Foods to Avoid

• Individuals placed on a low-residue diet should avoid high-fiber foods and foods with skins and seeds. These include such foods as whole-wheat bread, chili and popcorn. You should also steer clear of liquids like coffee and prune juice that aid bowel movements.

Recommended Foods

• Recommended foods include white bread, plain cereals, soda crackers and refined pasta. Although vegetables are know for their high fiber content, certain vegetables can be included in the diet if they are well-cooked, such as beets or carrots. For protein intake, choose well-cooked meat over beans or lentils.

Good Eating Habits

• Besides choosing the right foods, it is equally important to follow good eating habits. These include eating slowly and chewing your food for better digestion. Drinking six to eight cups of caffeine-free liquid per day also aids constipation, a common side effect of the residue diet.