Low fiber diet – Low residue diet

What is that

Who is it suitable for?

The function of the low fiber or low residue diet is to reduce the laxative effect on the digestive tract ; the cases in which it may be necessary to apply it are mainly:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Colitis (inflammatory, infectious, chemical, etc.)
• Intolerances and allergies
• Pharmacological therapies
• Radioactive therapy
• Intestinal resection (for tumor, Crohn’s disease , or ulcerative colitis )
• Preparations for endoscopic diagnostic investigations of the intestinal tract (e.g. colonoscopy )
• Etc.

Logically, when normal physical conditions are restored (if possible), the low residue diet should be interrupted by replenishing the recommended amount of dietary fibre.

What to eat

In practical terms, the low fiber or low residue diet is a nutritional scheme poor in fruit , vegetables , cereals and legumes which, if present, MUST be processed/refined in order to eliminate at least the typical external covering (peel, pericarp or other fibrous integuments, etc.) notoriously rich in this element (essentially, whole grains should be avoided ).
Although not correlated with the intake of dietary fibre, milk and dairy products (or foods containing them) can also be limited/interrupted in the administration of the low residue diet; this choice is not random and is based on the concept that, in most intestinal suffering, the lactase enzymes present on the mucosa are drastically reduced, causing bacterial fermentation of lactose and the consequent associated symptoms (see food intolerance to lactose ). To correctly manage the low residue diet it is advisable:

• Scrutinize food labels carefully
• Make sure each food serving provides no more than 1g of total fiber .

See an Example of a Low Residue Diet »

Cooking methods

Cooking methods for the low-fiber or low-residue diet are moderate and nonviolent; they should never excessively trigger the Maillard reaction and/or the production of molecules that are toxic/irritating to the intestinal mucosa ( acrylamide , acrolein , polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons , etc.). The following are recommended: boiling, steaming , microwave cooking and pressure cooking ; in case, even slow stewing . Grilling , frying , toasting and baking at very high temperatures without a lid are NOT RECOMMENDED . Another useful tip is to avoid or not use too much spices , such as pepper , chilli , curry , coriander , cumin , etc.

Supplements

• In the event that the low residue diet causes an excessively “stringent” effect on the stool, it is advisable first of all to increase the water intake (compromised by the elimination of fruit and vegetables ) and, only at a later time, to reintroduce the fiber little by little.
• The low fiber or low residue diet determines a secondary reduction of a good portion of mineral salts ( magnesium , potassium , etc.), vitamin C , B-carotene and vitamin K ; It is therefore advisable to evaluate together with your doctor the possibility of using a good food supplement to maintain sufficient nutritional intake of these nutrients .