What biscuits can you have on a low residue diet?

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

Following a low-residue diet, which typically restricts fiber intake to less than 10-15 grams per day, can be a challenge. A common question that arises for those on this plan is: what biscuits can you have on a low residue diet? This article explains the rules for choosing safe, low-fiber biscuits that won't upset your digestive system.

Quick Summary

A low-residue diet requires careful food selection, prioritizing low-fiber, easily digested items. This guide outlines the specific types of refined-flour biscuits and plain crackers that are generally safe, detailing which common biscuit variations to strictly avoid due to high fiber or risky inclusions. Informed snack choices are crucial for managing symptoms.

Key Points

Choose Plain, Refined Flour Biscuits: Opt for simple varieties like Rich Tea, Shortbread, and plain crackers, which are made with refined white flour and are easily digested.
Avoid Whole Grains and Added Fiber: Strictly avoid any biscuits containing wholemeal flour, oats, or added bran, such as Digestives, which are high in fiber.
Steer Clear of Nuts, Seeds, and Dried Fruit: Do not consume biscuits or crackers that have nuts, seeds, or dried fruit, as these ingredients add indigestible residue.
Read Food Labels Carefully: Always check the nutrition information and ingredient list to ensure the biscuit has a very low fiber count, ideally less than 1-2 grams per serving.
Consult a Healthcare Professional: A low-residue diet should be followed under medical supervision, as individual tolerance varies and long-term use can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Consider Alternative Snacks: Plain crackers (like Saltines), rice cakes, and some plain cakes (without fruit or nuts) are also acceptable low-residue snack options.

Understanding the Low-Residue Diet

A low-residue diet is a temporary eating plan designed to reduce the amount of undigested food that passes into the large bowel. The term "residue" refers to things like fiber, seeds, and indigestible material. By limiting these foods, the diet aims to decrease the volume and frequency of stool, which can help relieve uncomfortable digestive symptoms or prepare the bowel for certain medical procedures, such as a colonoscopy.

Conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), diverticulitis, or a temporary post-surgery state often necessitate this diet. The key principle is to choose foods that are easily absorbed by the body, leaving minimal residue behind. While this diet can be very helpful for a short time, it is important to remember that it is not a nutritionally complete long-term plan due to its restrictions on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Always follow the guidance of a healthcare professional or registered dietitian when on a low-residue diet.

The Criteria for Low-Residue Biscuits

The fundamental rule for selecting biscuits on a low-residue diet is to choose plain varieties made with refined white flour. These are digested more easily than their whole-grain counterparts and do not contain the high fiber content that can aggravate sensitive digestive systems. You must avoid any biscuits that contain additional high-fiber ingredients, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit.

Recommended Biscuits

Based on guidance from various health organizations, several types of plain biscuits and crackers are typically safe for consumption on a low-residue diet. These include:

Rich Tea biscuits: A classic, simple biscuit made from refined flour.
Shortbread: Its simple ingredients of butter, sugar, and refined flour make it a safe treat.
Custard Creams: The refined biscuit and plain cream filling are generally acceptable.
Bourbons: Similar to custard creams, the refined biscuit and plain chocolate cream are usually fine.
Marie biscuits: A simple, low-fiber option.
Arrowroot biscuits: A traditional choice often recommended for sensitive stomachs.
Plain wafers: Simple and without whole grains, they are an option.
Ginger nuts: The biscuit itself is typically low-fiber, though individual tolerance may vary.
Chocolate biscuits: Plain chocolate biscuits like Penguin, Club, or KitKat are acceptable, provided they do not contain nuts or dried fruit.
Plain crackers: Saltines, cream crackers, or water biscuits are excellent choices.

Biscuit and Cracker Options for a Low-Residue Diet


Biscuit/Cracker Type	Low-Residue Friendly (Yes/No)	Key Characteristics
Rich Tea Biscuits	Yes	Made with refined white flour, no added fiber or fruit.
Digestive Biscuits	No	Contain wholemeal flour and bran, which are high in fiber.
Shortbread	Yes	Simple ingredients, including refined flour, butter, and sugar.
Oatcakes	No	Made from oats, which are high in fiber.
Plain Crackers (e.g., Saltines)	Yes	Made with refined flour, low in fiber.
Wholemeal Crackers	No	Contain whole grains and high fiber.
Biscuits with Dried Fruit	No	Raisins, figs, or other dried fruits are high in fiber.
Custard Creams	Yes	Refined biscuit and plain cream filling.
Flapjacks	No	Primarily made with high-fiber oats.
Ginger Nuts	Yes	Refined flour-based, generally tolerated well.
Biscuits with Nuts or Seeds	No	All nuts and seeds should be avoided.

What to Avoid

To ensure you are truly adhering to a low-residue diet, it's crucial to be mindful of biscuits and crackers that are not suitable. These items are generally higher in fiber or contain seeds and nuts, which can irritate the digestive tract.

Wholemeal or whole-grain biscuits: Anything labeled as wholemeal, granary, or containing whole grains should be avoided. This includes popular choices like traditional Digestives and Hobnobs.
Biscuits with dried fruit: Biscuits with raisins, currants, or other dried fruit, such as Fig Rolls, are not suitable due to their high fiber content.
Biscuits with nuts, seeds, or coconut: All types of nuts, seeds (e.g., sesame, sunflower), and coconut flakes are off-limits because they are difficult to digest and add residue.
Oatcakes and flapjacks: These are made with oats and are high in fiber, making them unsuitable for a low-residue diet.
Chocolate or sweets with high-fiber additions: Chocolate bars with nuts or dried fruit are also on the 'avoid' list.

Important Considerations and Label Reading

When following a low-residue diet, reading food labels is non-negotiable. Many products, including some you might not expect, can have added fiber. Look for foods that contain no more than 1 to 2 grams of fiber per serving. Pay close attention to ingredient lists, specifically searching for refined white flour and ensuring there are no hidden whole grains, nuts, or seeds.

Consulting a Healthcare Professional

While this article provides general guidelines, individual tolerance for certain foods can vary. It is always best to discuss your diet with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian. They can offer personalized advice based on your specific medical condition and dietary needs. For example, if you have inflammatory bowel disease or are preparing for a procedure, your dietary restrictions might be more specific. Your doctor can also advise you on when it is safe to gradually reintroduce fiber into your diet as your condition improves.

Conclusion

Successfully managing a low-residue diet, particularly when it comes to snacks like biscuits, relies on choosing refined, plain options and diligently avoiding whole grains, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Safe choices include Rich Tea, shortbread, custard creams, and plain crackers, which provide a low-fiber snack without aggravating digestive issues. However, a low-residue diet is not a long-term solution, and it is vital to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice and to ensure nutritional balance.

For more detailed information on a low-fiber diet, you can refer to the guidelines provided by the Mayo Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary characteristic to look for is that the biscuit is made with refined white flour and contains no added ingredients like whole grains, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit.

No, digestive biscuits are not safe on a low-residue diet. They contain wholemeal flour and bran, which are high in fiber and should be avoided.

Yes, plain chocolate biscuits are generally acceptable, but you must ensure they do not contain nuts, seeds, or dried fruit. For example, biscuits like Bourbons or plain chocolate wafers are usually fine.

Good low-residue alternatives include plain crackers (like saltines), rice cakes, vanilla wafers, and plain cakes or cookies made with white flour (without seeds, fruit, or nuts).

You should read food labels because manufacturers sometimes add fiber to products you wouldn't expect. Looking for a fiber content of 1-2 grams or less per serving is a good guideline.

The ingredient list on the package will typically specify 'enriched refined white flour' or similar language. Biscuits labeled as 'wholemeal', 'whole grain', or 'high fiber' are not made with refined flour.

Yes, biscuits with simple, smooth, creamy fillings are generally acceptable, as long as the biscuit base is made from refined flour and the filling does not contain nuts or dried fruit, as seen with custard creams or bourbons.

A low-residue diet is generally intended for short-term use. The duration depends on the medical reason for the diet, so you should follow your doctor's or dietitian's instructions regarding how long to stay on it.