Patients with problems in the terminal ileum and large bowel may require a low residue diet.
These patients may have regional ileitis, ulcerative colitis, malignant or nonmalignant lesions of the colon or rectum, or hemorrhoids.
Regional ileitis and ulcerative colitis are generally treated medically.
Progression of the disease may lead to surgery: ileostomy in regional ileitis, and colostomy or ileostomy in ulcerative colitis.
In all situations the low residue diet is generally used as part of medical treatment or in preparation for surgical treatment of the patient.
Residue in Foods The foods used in the residue restricted diets are low in vegetable fiber to decrease the volume of fecal material.
The elastin fibers of meat are restricted for the same reason.
Fiber is that portion of food (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) that is not enzymatically digested in the digestive tracts.
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains are the major contributions of fiber.
The term "roughage" is also used to refer to fiber.
It is generally agreed that meats free of elastin fibers, fats such as butter and margarine, and highly refined carbohydrate such as flour, spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, rice, and sugar add minimal residue to the fecal contents of the large bowel.
Bananas and potatoes, which are low in residue, are exceptions in classifying fruits and vegetables as high in residue.
Limited evidence exists, which indicates that milk may add residue to the fecal contents.
As a result there is controversy about the use of milk in residue restricted diet plans.
It has been observed that some adult ulcerative colitis patients have insufficient amounts of lactase and respond favorably to a moderate lactose restriction.
Tea, coffee, meat extractives, condiments, spices and carbonated beverages are usually not excluded from the residue-restricted diet.
Fruit and vegetable juices may be excluded in some situations, not because of residue, but because the organic acids in these beverages may stimulate peristaltic action.
Residue Restricted Diet Residue-restricted diets may be ordered at various levels of restriction.
The minimal residue diet may be used to prepare a patient for bowel surgery or immediately after surgery.
It is seen that the foods used in this diet are limited and that this diet can be inadequate in calcium and vitamins A and C.
if used for any period of time, it should be supplemented with mineral and vitamin preparations.
The moderate residue diet may be used as the patient progresses after bowel surgery, in the early medical treatment of regional ileitis or ulcerative colitis, or for the symptomatic control diarrhea.
Some residue-restricted diet is usually the one used over a period of time by individuals with regional ileitis or ulcerative colitis.