Low-Residue Recipes

"Low-residue"? What's that?

The low-residue diet limits the intake of foods that are high in fiber, particularly insoluble fiber. The purpose of this is to reduce the amount of undigested material passing through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, hopefully resulting in smaller and fewer bowel movements. In other words, "residue" is the material left in your digestive tract after initial digestion. And this diet aims to reduce that!¹

Eating low-residue is sometimes recommended for people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). So, what foods get eliminated? Whole grains, nuts, seeds, raw fruits and vegetables, and tough or fibrous meats are commonly avoided on the low-residue diet.²

From people who've done low-residue

Here are a few articles from our Crohn's and UC Patient Leaders:

• Fiber and IBD: Friend or Foe?
• 20 Low-Residue Food Ideas
• We're Not "Fussy Eaters"!
• Should Everyone With Crohn’s or UC Ditch the Fiber?

The low-residue diet is not for everyone

Of course, when it comes to cooking with IBD, we're all working from a different set of ingredients. Food sensitivities and dietary restrictions vary greatly from person to person, and there is no 1 diet recommended for Crohn's or UC. But here a few low-residue recipes that might work for you – submitted by people who cook, eat, and live with IBD!

Crohn's and ulcerative colitis low-residue recipes

Low-residue dinners

Low-Residue Turmeric Fish With Baked Sweet Potato and Avocado
Low-Residue Herb-Marinated Tuna Steak and Spaghetti
Fish and Potato Tomato Stew
Super Simple Gnocchi and Avocado Bake (Low Residue)
Low-Residue Rice Krispies Chicken Goujons

Potato recipes

Low-Residue, Low-FODMAP, Dairy-Free Cheesy Baked Potato Skins
Super Easy Low-Residue Sweet Potato Hash Browns
Low-FODMAP, Low-Residue Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Tomato and Turmeric Spiced Potato

Low-residue desserts

Low-Residue Fruit Pizza Tarts
Banana Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Banana Coconut and Lime Ice Lollies

Click here for more recipes