Low Fiber Low Residue Diet

Low Fiber Low Residue Diet Food Artwork

Purpose
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 is also 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 multi-vitamin 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.

Food Groups
Group	Recommend	Avoid
Milk & milk products (2 or more cups daily)	all milk products	Low Residue Diet only 2 cups daily of all milk products
Vegetables (3 or more servings daily)	lettuce; vegetable juice without pulp; the following cooked vegetables: yellow squash (without seeds), green beans, wax beans, spinach, pumpkin, eggplant, potatoes, without skin, asparagus, beets, carrots	vegetable juices with pulp, raw vegetables except lettuce, cooked vegetables not on Recommend list
Fruits (2 or more servings daily)	fruit-juices without pulp, canned fruit except pineapple, ripe bananas, melons	fruit-juices with pulp, canned pineapple, fresh fruit except those on Recommend list, prunes, prune juice, dried fruit, jam, marmalade
Starches-Bread & grains (4 or more servings daily)	bread and cereals made from refined flours, pasta, white rice	whole-grain breads, cereals, rice, pasta; bran cereal; oatmeal
Meat or meat substitutes (5 to 6 oz daily)	meat, poultry, eggs, seafood	chunky peanut butter, nuts, seeds, dried beans, dried peas
Fats and oils (servings depend on caloric needs)	all oils, margarine, butter	coconut
Sweets and desserts (servings depend on caloric needs)	all not on Avoid list	desserts containing nuts, coconut
Miscellaneous	all not on Avoid list	popcorn, pickles, horseradich, relish

Sample Menu
Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
orange juice 1/2 cup cornflakes 1 cup poached egg white toast 1 slice margarine 1 tsp jelly 1 Tbsp skim milk 1 cup coffee 3/4 cup sugar 1 tsp non-dairy creamer salt/pepper	fish 3 oz mashed potatoes 1/2 cup cooked green beans 1/2 cup white bread 1 slice margarine 1 tsp jelly 1 Tbsp applesauce 1/2 cup coffee 3/4 cup sugar 1 tsp non-dairy creamer salt/pepper	chicken breast 3 oz medium baked potato without skin cooked carrots 1/2 cup white bread 1 slice margarine 1 tsp jelly 1 Tbsp canned peaches 1 /2 cup skim milk 1/2 cup coffee 3/4 cup sugar 1 tsp non-dairy creamer salt/pepper

This Sample Diet Provides the Following
Calories	1576	Fat	45 gm
Protein	89 gm	Sodium	2817 mg
Carbohydrates	215 gm	Potassium	3510 mg

Related Procedures
Astomy

This material does not cover all information and is not intended as a subsitute for professional care. Please consult with your physician on any matters regarding your health.