A Low Residue Diet might be advised for a number of reasons. For example, it might benefit people with problematic diarrhoea, narrowing’s (strictures) in the intestine, or following surgery. It can result in some nutritional deficiencies, so you should only follow a low residue diet under the supervision of your IBD team, and have your blood monitored regularly.

A low residue diet can be difficult to navigate and understand, but, most annoyingly of all, it can be hard to make interesting!

Soup, noodles, crisps, biscuits, and sandwiches are common, easy snacks and meals. It’s important to remember that people's tolerances differ, so it’s about making it your own! Carefully using herbs and spices is usually fine, as long as you’re sensible and use them in moderation. Smoked paprika is one of my favourites for livening up roast potatoes and squash.

All smooth condiments are allowed and can make a huge difference to a dish. I won’t have a ham sandwich without mustard or fries without something to dip them in!

I’m here to (hopefully) provide you with some ideas, if you’re trying to stick to a low residue diet. 

Starches and carbs

Potatoes are fine as long as they’re skin free, and they're so versatile! Eat them boiled, mashed, roasted, as chips, waffles, or Hasselback’s. There’s no reason you can’t bake a potato and remove the skin for a slightly different flavour and texture.

White bread, pitta, naan, cakes, scones, pasta, rice, noodles etc are all ok. Avoid brown, wholemeal, granary options. Do not underestimate how much you can do with pasta!

Cereals made from rice or corn are fine too, such as cornflakes, and puffed rice. Or, enjoy cooked rolled oats!

Fruit and veg

Root vegetables are often tolerated well when cooked until soft. I personally find squash and avocado easy to digest too! It’s important that Fruit and veg are soft when you eat them. Skins and seeds should always be removed. Well-cooked cauliflower and broccoli (florets only) are allowed, but I personally find these go straight through me.

Peeled and deseeded fruits such as melon, and some tinned fruits such as peaches and pears, are generally well tolerated too. Ripe bananas are one of my personal favourites! If you have fruit juices, just makes sure there’s no pulp.

Blended soups and smoothies can be pushed through a fine sieve to remove the insoluble fibre.

Dairy and eggs

Cheese is my ultimate low res food! I will put it on everything! Mild, soft cheese, cottage cheese, and cream cheese might be easier to digest than some hard cheeses. Milk, (including soy) is fine. A smooth yoghurt with some fruit can make a nice refreshing snack or breakfast. Butter, cream, and vegetable substitutes are all OK, but try to have fat in moderation.

Avoid frying eggs, but enjoy them in any other form!

Meat and fish

Tender, lean, well-cooked meats and fish are all allowed. Enjoy beef, lamb, pork, and poultry! Sausages (be mindful of tough casings), bacon, ham, and meat pies are all good too! You can also eat fish in many forms; fresh, tinned, smoked, breaded, and battered. Also allowed are meat substitutes, such as soya, Quorn, and tofu.

Sugar

Enjoy ice cream, custard, jelly, and seedless jams. Lemon curd and peel-free marmalade (which can make a fabulous tart)! Chocolate (no nuts, raisins etc) and sweets are able to satisfy that sweet tooth. Don’t forget the biscuits – plain of course!

Finally, onto the recipes!

Recipe ideas

1. Baked potato, or sweet potato (skin removed) with tuna and cheese.

2. Chips, sausage, and egg (preferably not fried).

3. Toad in the hole with root vegetable mash.

4. Creamy pasta with easily digestible meats such as chicken and ham.

5. Pasta with smooth tomato sauces – add meatballs or lean meat if you fancy!

6. Macaroni cheese – you could also add well-cooked broccoli florets.

7. Salmon, avocado and boiled potatoes. Fancy a poached egg? Throw one on!

8. Pancakes or waffles with bacon, or chicken.

9. Juicy roast pork, cauliflower mash, carrots, and broccoli.

10. Ham and cheese toasted sandwich.

11. Chicken, well-cooked cauliflower florets, and roasted squash with smoked paprika

There are also lots of low residue recipes on the InflammatoryBowelDisease.net site. Here’s a sample of them:

12. Gnocchi and Avocado Bake

13. Herb-Marinated Tuna Steak and Spaghetti

14. Lemon Rice Salad

15. Turmeric Fish With Baked Sweet Potato and Avocado

Desserts

16. Plain scones, with jam (seedless, of course) and cream are a favourite of mine!

17. Pancakes with banana and maple syrup

18. Waffles loaded with chocolate spread/sauce and cream, or syrup

19. Lemon tart and cream

20. Yoghurt with soft or stewed seed and skin-free fruits, such as peaches, pears, apples, apricots

Hopefully, that’s given you a little inspiration to work with and build on!

Originally posted on InflammatoryBowelDisease.net