Which statement best defines a low residue diet?

• A. A diet designed to reduce the frequency and volume of stools while prolonging intestinal transit time
• B. Similar to a low-fiber diet
• C. Also includes restrictions on foods that increase bowel activity
• D. Reduced milk, milk products, prune juice

Answer: (A)

Reducing stool bulk and frequency by limiting foods that leave residue in the intestine is what a low residue diet aims to do. By keeping fiber-rich and bulky foods out, the stools become smaller in volume and occur less often, and there can be slower movement through the gut because there’s less material to process. This description directly links the dietary changes to the expected outcomes, which is why it’s the best choice. Being merely “similar to a low-fiber diet” isn’t as precise about the actual effect on stool output and transit. While the diet may involve avoiding foods that tend to stimulate bowel activity, that’s a broader point and not the defining feature. And restricting dairy or prune juice isn’t a universal rule of the diet and can vary by patient, so it doesn’t define the concept.