Low-fiber/low-residue diet

Almost all low-residue diets make the following recommendations:[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

A low-fiber diet is not a no-fiber diet. A 2015 review article recommends less than 10 grams of fiber per day.[12] Other sources recommend that a patient on a low-fiber diet eat no more than 10–15 grams of fiber per day.[5] Some sources recommend serving sizes that contain no more than 2 grams per serving.[5][6]

Some diets recommend limiting servings of baked goods to 2 grams per serving.[5][8] Other diets recommend limiting these servings to just 1 gram per serving.[7][9] Most diets also recommend eating warm cereals such as cream of wheat, cream of rice, grits, and farina.[3][6][8][10]

Some diets allow additional raw fruits such as very soft apricot, canned fruit cocktail, grapes, peaches, papayas, plums, or citrus fruits without membrane,[1][2][3][4][5][10] but two rule out all raw fruits.[6][9] Some allow applesauce, other fruit sauces, or peeled and well-cooked apples.[1][3][5][8]

Many diets specifically recommend tomato sauce[1][2][3][8] and prohibit pickles.[1][2][3][4][5][8][11] Two diets actually limit the well-cooked vegetables to yellow squash without seeds, green beans, wax beans, spinach, pumpkin, eggplant, asparagus, beets, and carrots.[2][5] Two diets allow some raw vegetables: lettuce, cucumber (without seeds), and zucchini.[5]

Some diets allow smooth peanut butter[5][10] or smooth nut butters.[8][6] Some diets allow tofu.[5][6][7][10]

Some diets limit dairy to 2 cups per day.[2][10] One diet allows 1.5 ounces (40 g) of hard cheese.[5] Several diets allow pudding or custard,[5][7][9][11] sherbet,[3][8][6][10][11] whipped cream,[5][10] or ice cream.[3][4][8][7][9][11] A couple of diets suggest specific lactose-free products for the lactose intolerant, such as soy milk or whipped cream.[5][6] One diet prohibits whole milk, half and half, cream, sour cream, and regular ice cream.[8]

Some diets allow mayonnaise,[3][5][8][6][9][10][11] ketchup,[3][8] sour cream,[3][7][11] cream cheese,[6] smooth sauces and salad dressings,[3][5][7][9][10][11] plain gravies,[10][11] or whipped cream.[5][10] Several diets allow jelly, honey, and syrup.[3][9][11] Many prohibit jam, marmalade, and preserves.[2][3][4][8][9][11]

Several diets prohibit highly spiced food,[1][3][4][5] but some allow spices, cooked herbs, and seasonings.[8][9][11]

Several diets specifically prohibit caffeine[1][3][8] (two of these allow decaffeinated coffee, tea, and other drinks),[3][8] but some allow coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks.[10][11]

If the diet must be strict and followed over a long period of time, the intake of fruits and vegetables may not provide adequate amounts of vitamin C and folic acid. The quantity of calcium may also be inadequate if dairy products are restricted. In these cases, a multivitamin supplement or liquid nutritional supplement may be needed.[1][2]

The most common preparation for a colonoscopy is a clear liquid diet accompanied by laxatives. However, this may not be the most effective preparation. A 2015 guideline issued by The Standards of Practice Committee of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends using a low-residue diet instead, also accompanied by laxatives,[13] because of evidence that it performs at least as well for bowel cleansing and is associated with better patient satisfaction.[14][15]

A 2016 review of the research found that a semi-elemental whey hydrolyzed protein (WHP) diet is superior for treatment of Crohn's disease.[16]

While a low-fiber diet is generally used for acute diverticulitis, the NIH guidelines recommend a high-fiber diet for patients with diverticulosis (a condition that may lead to diverticulitis).[17] A Mayo Clinic review from 2011 showed that a high-fiber diet can prevent diverticular disease.[18]

In preparation for long-duration toiletless military flights, the crew is sometimes instructed to have a low-residue meal as their last meal before the flight. For example, this was the case with Blackbird pilots.[19]