Noodles on a Low-Residue Diet

You can eat noodles while following a low-residue diet, but you'll need to be mindful of your portion size and the type of noodle that you choose. Following a low-residue diet involves restricting your fiber intake. Fiber is indigestible by your body and adds bulk inside the digestive tract. If you've recently had surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, or irritation to your digestive tract from ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis or Crohn’s disease, your healthcare provider may recommend a low-residue diet to allow your bowels time to heal.

Servings of Noodles Allowed

According to experts at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, about six servings of low-fiber, grain-based foods are allowed per day on a low-residue diet. These foods typically provide 2 grams of fiber or less per serving. A 1/3-cup serving of low-fiber cooked pasta counts as one serving. It's best to eat a variety of grain-based foods throughout the day to get different nutrients. However, you can eat a total of 2 cups of low-fiber noodles per day on a low-residue diet if you eat no other grain foods. High-fiber noodles, including those made from whole wheat or brown rice, should be avoided on a low-residue diet.

Regular Pasta

Traditional noodles made from refined, or white, wheat flour can be eaten on a low-residue diet. During the refining process, wheat is stripped of most of its fiber contained in the bran and germ. The resulting pasta made from this flour typically contains less than 1 gram of fiber per 1/3-cup serving, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database. You can choose from any style noodle you prefer, including: spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, macaroni, elbows, shells, manicotti or penne.

Rice Noodles

Asian-style rice noodles are another good choice when following a low-residue diet. These noodles are made from white rice, which is low in fiber, and a 1/3-cup serving provides less than 1 gram of fiber. You can usually purchase rice noodles in the grocery store, or try a local Asian market for more variety. Look for them labeled as rice sticks, pad Thai noodles, rice vermicelli, chow fun, pad see ew or other varieties made from rice. These low-residue noodles cook quickly and are delicious in soups, stir-fries, curries and cold salads.

Egg Noodles

Egg noodles are another safe option when following a low-residue diet. These noodles are made with refined wheat flour and eggs, which gives them a slightly yellow hue. They provide less than 1 gram of fiber per 1/3-cup cooked portion. You can purchase egg noodles in the same grocery store aisle as other pastas. They're a tasty addition to soups and casseroles or a good accompaniment to creamy or saucy entrees. Chinese egg noodles, such as chow mein, which are used in many Asian dishes, are also low-fiber noodles.

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