I've been trying to diet and lose weight lately and I ended up losing sight of what I could and couldn't eat due to my Crohn's disease. I want to eat like everyone else trying to diet. Unfortunately, eating raw veggies is just not a realistic plan and I ended up with a small bowel obstruction because of my poor choices. So I'm heading back towards a low residue/fiber diet and I wanted to share a bit of information for everyone!
Should You Try a Low-Residue Diet?
If a doctor has diagnosed you or a loved one with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) -- like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis -- or with diverticulitis, your doctor may suggest you follow a low-residue diet.
Never heard of it? The basic idea is that you'll eat foods that are easy to digest, and you'll limit those that aren't.
What Is a Low-Residue Diet?
It's a diet that limits high-fiber foods, such as whole-grain breads and cereals, nuts, seeds, raw or dried fruits, and vegetables.
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"Residue" refers to undigested food, including fiber, that make up stool. The goal of the diet is to have fewer, smaller bowel movements each day, in order to ease symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, and stomach cramping.
Your doctor may recommend that you go on a low-residue diet for a short time when you're having a flare, or after surgery to help with recovery. But it's not a general eating plan for all people with IBD.
Crohn's can make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients from food. Ask your doctor for a referral to a nutritionist who can make sure your diet plan is right for you and let you know if you need any vitamin supplements.
On a low-residue diet, you can eat:
Grains
Refined or enriched white breads and plain crackers, such as saltines or Melba toast (no seeds)Cooked cereals, such as farina, cream of wheat, and gritsCold cereals, such as puffed rice and corn flakesWhite rice, noodles, and refined pasta
Fruits and Vegetables
The skin and seeds of many fruits and vegetables are loaded with fiber, so peeling skin and avoiding seeds is part of a low-residue diet. You can eat the following vegetables on the diet:
Well-cooked fresh vegetables or canned vegetables without seeds, such as asparagus tips, beets, green beans, carrots, mushrooms, spinach, squash (no seeds), and pumpkinCooked potatoes without skinTomato sauce (no seeds)
Fruits include:
Ripe bananasSoft cantaloupeHoneydewCanned or cooked fruits without seeds or skin, such as applesauce or canned pearsAvocado
Milk and Dairy
Milk products are OK to eat in moderation. Milk has no fiber, but it may trigger symptoms such as diarrhea and cramping if you have lactose intolerance. You could use lactase supplements or eat lactose-free products.
Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on November 18, 2014
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