Patients of diseases like Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or diverticulitis are prescribed food with low fiber content in the diet. This restricted use of fiber-rich foods and other harder substances that are difficult to digest is specifically considered in a low-residue diet meant for patients of inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulitis who may require this as a short-term use diet to reduce the frequency and volume of bowel movements.
The low-residue diet is designed to make food remain in the digestive tract longer, thus helping reduce diarrhea by increasing the chance of adequate absorption of nutrients. These foods are mostly for short-term use by people suffering from diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, or inflammatory bowel disease, who need help in reducing the contraction of the bowel and reduced bowel movements. Such foods help deal with symptoms of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s, or diverticulitis.
Conditions Requiring a Low-Residue Diet
Among the disease conditions that require low-residue diet foods, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, gastro paresis, and ulcerative colitis are most familiar. Patients who have undergone abdominal or intestinal surgery also require a low-residue diet.
Foods That Are a Part of a Low-Residue Diet
The foods that reduce the contraction of the bowel and lessen chances of diarrhea in patients suffering from diseases like diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease have a low fiber content or less potassium, calcium, and folic acid content. Hence, they are not the prescribed for long-term use as they lack necessary nutrients. For people prescribed a low-residue diet for a short time, this list of foods presents preferred items for reducing contraction.
- Grains like the white rice and pasta; cold cereals like corn flakes and cooked cereals like grits and cream of wheat are prescribed.
- Food designed for a diet with low residue also includes fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables lacking seeds or lacking fiber-containing skin are advised in low-residue diets used by patients suffering from diverticulitis, irritable bowel disease, and Crohn’s disease. One can peel off the skin of potatoes and eat it after cooking. Tomato sauce is acceptable due to its low-residue content. Other foods in a low-residue diet include ripe banana, avocado, and honeydew melons.
- Milk and yogurt (about 2 cups per day) are also prescribed in a low-residue diet for patients of diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease etc.
Foods Excluded From a Low-Residue Diet
Patients with diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn’s disease on the low-residue diet should avoid these foods.
- Whole-grain products including pastas, brown rice, and whole-grain breads
- Raw and dry fruits like raisins and pineapples
- Vegetables like peas, beans, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower
- Tough meats are to be avoided in a low-residue diet.
People suffering from diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, and Crohn’s disease or people who have undergone abdominal or intestinal surgery may take a low-residue diet for a short span to prevent overcontraction of the bowel and avoid diarrhea.
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