Low Fiber (residue) And High Fiber Diets
February 26, 2020 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in Nutrition Facts
The term “Fiber” and “Residue” are used interchangeably with respect to the diet, as diets rich in fiber give rise to accumulation of large amounts of undigested residue in the large intestines, while diets low in fiber leave only small amounts of residue in the large intestines. The term “Fiber” includes cellulose, hemicellulose, pentosans etc. They are present in large amounts in bran of cereal grains, the husk of pulses and mature vegetables.
Low Fiber Diets
These are recommended for patients suffering from gastro-intestinal disorders, such as peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, diarrhoea and dysentery. The composition of low residue diets is given:
Low Fiber (residue) Diet For Adults (g/caput/day)
Calories-2400 kcal; Proteins: 60-70 g
| Foodstuffs | Vegetarian | Non-vegetarian |
| Milled cereals and cereal products | 350 | 350 |
| Dhal | 20 | 20 |
| Milk | 1000 | 500 |
| Meat and fish | _ | 40 |
| Egg | _ | 30 |
| Tender vegetables | 50 | 50 |
| Tender green leafy vegetables | 50 | 50 |
| Potato | 100 | 100 |
| Fleshy fruits | 100 | 100 |
| Fruit juice | 200 | 200 |
| Fats and oils | 50 | 50 |
| Sugar and jaggery | 50 | 50 |
High Fiber Diets
High residue diets are rich in fiber and recommended for patients suffering from constipation. Such diets leave large amounts of undigested bulk in the intestinal tract which helps to relive constipation. Recent studies have shown that high fiber diets retard the absorption of cholesterol and decrease its level in blood. The composition of high fiber diet is given:
High Fiber (residue) For Adults (g/caput/day)
Calories-2400 kcal; Proteins– 60-70 g
| Foodstuffs | Vegetarian | Non-vegetarian |
| Whole cereals | 350 | 350 |
| Whole legumes | 80 | 80 |
| Dhal | 50 | 50 |
| Milk | 600 | 400 |
| Meat | _ | 40 |
| Egg | _ | 30 |
| Green leafy vegetables | 100 | 100 |
| Other vegetables | 200 | 200 |
| Roots and tubers | 100 | 100 |
| Fruits | 100 | 100 |
| Oils and fats | 50 | 50 |
| Sugar and jaggery | 50 | 50 |