As a bacon lover, few things sound as sad as having to give it up even temporarily. But if your doctor has recommended a low residue diet to rest your digestive system, you may be wondering – can you still enjoy bacon? Or does it have to be banished from your plates until further notice?
The good news is that not all bacon is off-limits when following a low residue diet. With some adjustments and smart choices, you can still indulge in moderation. In this article, we’ll explore what a low residue diet entails, which types of bacon are allowed, nutrition facts, and tasty low-residue bacon alternatives to try.
What is a Low Residue Diet?
A low residue diet aims to limit fiber intake and avoid foods that are difficult to digest. This helps provide bowel rest by reducing the amount and frequency of stools. Residue refers to any undigested material that remains after food passes through the GI tract.
Doctors may recommend a low residue diet for patients with
- Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis
- Diverticulitis
- Recent bowel surgery
- Bowel obstruction
- Acute infectious diarrhea
This diet restricts high fiber foods such as raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, and certain meats. Dairy may also be limited for people with lactose intolerance. The goal is to allow the GI tract to rest and heal by reducing irritation and stool bulk.
However, a low residue diet should only be followed short term, as fiber is important for regularity, gut health, and preventing disease long term. Always consult your doctor before starting this diet.
Can You Eat Bacon on a Low Residue Diet?
Not all bacon is created equal when it comes to residue content. The most digestible options contain the least fat, seasonings, and processing. According to most low residue diet guides, the following types of bacon are allowed:
- Canadian bacon or lean back bacon
- Well-cooked bacon rinsed of fat
- Fully cooked bacon reheated
- Small amounts of crisp bacon crumbles
Avoid bacon that is:
- Fatty or heavily marbled with fat
- Heavily seasoned or smoked
- Fried to a crisp texture
In general, opt for the leanest bacon cuts you can find. Prepare bacon by baking on a rack or broiling to allow fat to drip away. Limit portion sizes to 2-3 slices per sitting.
Important Nutrition Facts on Bacon
If consumed in moderation, bacon can provide some nutritional value:
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Protein: Bacon contains 6-8g of protein per serving for building and repairing muscle.
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B Vitamins: Bacon provides small amounts of energy-boosting B vitamins like niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
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Zinc: Bacon contains zinc which supports immunity and cell growth.
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Mono- and polyunsaturated fats: The fat in bacon contains small amounts of heart-healthy fats compared to saturated fat.
However, bacon is high in sodium at around 150-200mg per slice. Sodium can cause fluid retention and spikes in blood pressure, so limit intake if you have heart or kidney issues.
Tasty Low Residue Bacon Alternatives
If you need to avoid bacon altogether on a low residue diet, try these flavorful alternatives:
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Egg white omelets or frittatas seasoned with spices like garlic, onion, paprika or herbs
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Well-cooked ground turkey or chicken breakfast sausage
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Roasted sweet potatoes or white potatoes topped with a poached or soft boiled egg
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Smoked salmon rolled around dill, cheese, or scrambled eggs
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Portobello “bacon” made from sliced, roasted portobello mushrooms
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Tempeh bacon marinated and baked for a crispy, smoky plant-based option
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Sun-dried tomato strips that provide salty, umami deliciousness
With a little creativity, you can craft satisfying breakfasts and meals that deliver comfort without the bacon. Focus on soft, well-cooked foods that are gentle on your digestive system.
Listen to Your Body
As you add small amounts of approved bacon or substitutions back into your low residue diet, pay attention to how your body responds. Avoid any foods that seem to aggravate your symptoms. Keeping a food journal can help identify triggers.
Be sure to stay hydrated and get adequate rest as well while giving your bowel a chance to heal and recover. Low residue diets are only intended for the short term, so work with your doctor on transitioning back to a balanced diet that includes fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains when you are able.
Yes, you can indeed still enjoy bacon in moderation during a low residue diet with proper choices and cooking methods. With your doctor’s approval, there’s no need to say goodbye to bacon completely. Just be mindful in how much and what types you consume. Listen to your body, and you’ll be able satisfy your bacon cravings without disrupting your digestive rest and recovery.
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Low-fiber diet do’s and don’ts
Fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables and grains not digested by your body. A low-fiber diet limits these foods in the diet. As a result, there is less undigested material moving through the large intestine, and stools are less bulky.
A low-fiber diet may be recommended for a number of conditions or situations. It is sometimes called a restricted-fiber diet.
Reasons your health care provider may prescribe a low-fiber diet include:
- You have narrowing of the bowel. This could be because of a tumor or an inflammatory disease like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.
- You have had bowel surgery.
- You are getting treatment that hurts or bothers your digestive system. For example, radiation can cause irritation.
Low-fiber diets are usually temporary. You can usually start to add more fiber back into your diet after a short amount of time.
A low-fiber diet limits the types of vegetables, fruits and grains that you can eat. Milk, cheese, yogurt, meat, fish, eggs, and some types of cheese are all okay to eat on a low-fiber diet. People who are lactose intolerant should avoid milk and dairy products if they cause stomach pain or diarrhea.
The ability to digest food varies from person to person. Based on the reason for the diet, a doctor or nurse may suggest one that is more or less restricted.
If youre eating a low-fiber diet, be sure to read food labels. Foods you might not expect can have added fiber. For example, yogurt, ice cream, cereal and even some drinks may have fiber. Look for foods that have no more than 1 to 2 grams of fiber in one serving.
Avoid these foods and products made with them:
- Nuts, seeds, dried fruit and coconut.
- Whole grains, popcorn, wheat germ and bran.
- There is barley, oatmeal, granola, quinoa, bulgur, brown rice, and wild rice.
- Dried beans, baked beans, lima beans, peas and lentils.
- Chunky peanut butter.
- Fruits and vegetables except those noted below.
Choose these foods:
- Fish and chicken, ham, bacon, shellfish, tender meat, and lunch meat
- Eggs, tofu and creamy peanut butter.
- Dairy products if tolerated.
- White rice and pasta.
- Bread, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, bagels, saltines, and graham crackers are all examples of baked goods made with refined wheat or rye flour.
- There are hot and cold cereals that each have less than 2 grams of fiber. Cereals made with rice cereals often have very little fiber.
- Canned or well-cooked potatoes, carrots and green beans.
- Plain tomato sauce.
- Vegetable and fruit juices.
- Bananas, melons, applesauce and canned peaches (no skin).
- Butter, margarine, oils and salad dressings without seeds.
A typical menu might look like this:
- Cornflakes with milk.
- White toast, creamy peanut butter, jelly.
- Fruit juice.
- Coffee.
- Yogurt without seeds.
- Water or other beverage.
- Turkey sandwich on white bread with mayonnaise.
- Tomato soup.
- Canned peaches.
- Milk or other beverage.
- Cheese slices.
- Saltine crackers.
- Water or other beverage.
- Baked fish.
- Mashed potatoes with butter.
- Cooked carrots.
- Applesauce.
- Milk or other beverage.
Prepare all foods so that theyre tender. Good cooking methods include simmering, poaching, stewing, steaming and braising. Baking or microwaving in a covered dish is another option.
You may have fewer bowel movements and smaller stools on a low-fiber diet. To avoid constipation, you may need to drink extra fluids. Drink plenty of water unless your health care provider tells you otherwise.
Eating a low-fiber diet will limit your bowel movements. It may help reduce diarrhea or other symptoms, such as stomach pain. After a short time, you may be able to slowly introduce fiber into your diet again.
Because a low-fiber diet limits what you can eat, it can be difficult to meet your nutritional needs. You should follow a low-fiber diet only as long as directed by your health care provider.
If you must continue eating this diet for a longer time, consult a registered dietitian. A dietitian can help make sure you are meeting all of your nutritional needs.
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Dietitian’s Tips on Following a Low Fiber Diet – Mayo Clinic
What is a low residue diet?
A low residue diet restricts foods that contain indigestible material. This causes the body to produce smaller amounts of stool less frequently. A low residue diet is typically recommended for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flares, for bowel surgery and colonoscopy prep, and for people with infectious colitis or acute diverticulitis.
Can one eat bacon with diverticulosis?
You can eat bacon with diverticulosis, but it is not the most recommended. In a person with diverticulosis, it is recommended to consume foods with soluble fiber such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
Can a low residue diet help with a colonoscopy?
Special diets can sometimes help. A low residue diet could potentially aid in staying well nourished while recovering from a bowel obstruction or surgery. The goal of a low residue diet is to limit the size and number of stools. Therefore, it may be prescribed to someone who’s about to undergo a colonoscopy.
What is a good cooking method for a low residue diet?
Good cooking methods for a low residue diet include: Low residue foods should be well cooked. Avoid cooking methods such as roasting, broiling, or grilling, which may make food tough or dry. A dietitian can also help you identify foods you should avoid on a low residue diet. Here are some foods that should typically be avoided:
Can a low residue diet help ulcerative colitis?
A low residue diet may also be helpful for those with ulcerative colitis, though a similar lack of consensus exists here, too. This IBD causes inflammation and ulcers on the inner lining of the large intestine. The irritation may cause some people to lose their appetite and eat less. This could lead to malnutrition.
Can one eat butternut squash on a low residue diet?
Moranga is allowed, being served in the form of puree or broth. Other vegetables that can be consumed in the same way are: carrots, chayote, potatoes. And fruits just banana or apple without skin.