It may be prescribed for patients with ailments or functional gastrointestinal disorders mitigated by fewer and smaller bowel movements each day.
The terms are not always distinguished, but when they are, a low-residue diet will include additional restrictions on foods such as dairy products, which do not contain fiber but do develop residue after digestion.
[3][4][8][7][9][11] A couple of diets suggest specific lactose-free products for the lactose intolerant, such as soy milk or whipped cream.
[10][11] If the diet must be strict and followed over a long period of time, the intake of fruits and vegetables may not provide adequate amounts of vitamin C and folic acid.
A 2015 guideline issued by The Standards of Practice Committee of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends using a low-residue diet instead, also accompanied by laxatives,[13] because of evidence that it performs at least as well for bowel cleansing and is associated with better patient satisfaction.
[14][15] A 2016 review of the research found that a semi-elemental whey hydrolyzed protein (WHP) diet is superior for treatment of Crohn's disease.
[17] A Mayo Clinic review from 2011 showed that a high-fiber diet can prevent diverticular disease.
[19] Most sources treat low-fiber and low-residue diets as identical, but some make a distinction based on the difference between fiber and residue.
When this distinction is made, a low-fiber diet simply reduces fiber intake by eliminating or limiting high-fiber foods such as raw fruits and vegetables.
A low-residue diet includes restrictions on foods such as dairy products, which do not contain fiber but do develop residue after digestion.