Publisher's Synopsis
Residue refers to material left in your digestive tract after the initial stages of digestion are finished. These materials often contain a lot of fiber because the body can't fully digest fiber. A low-residue diet is meant to put as few demands on the digestive tract as possible. It's similar to a low-fiber diet, but also excludes some foods that can stimulate bowel contractions. A low-residue diet increases the time food spends traveling through the digestive tract. A slower digestion process decreases the amount of stool your body produces. This is believed to increase the chance that your body will absorb nutrients. It also may reduce the incidence of diarrhea.It limits high-fiber foods, like whole-grain breads and cereals, nuts, seeds, raw or dried fruits, and vegetables. "Residue" is undigested food, including fiber, which makes up stool. The goal of the diet is to have fewer, smaller bowel movements each day. That will ease symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, gas, and stomach cramping. Your doctor may recommend this diet for a little while when you have a flare, or after surgery to help with recovery.
