Patient education: Low-fiber diet (The Basics)

What is fiber? — Fiber is a substance found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains.

Most fiber passes through your body without being digested. But it can affect how you digest other foods. Fiber helps make your bowel movements softer and more regular.

Why do I need a low-fiber diet? — A low-fiber diet contains foods that are easy to digest. These foods have less "residue," meaning that less undigested material passes through your system. They also put less pressure on your intestines. When you are on a low-fiber diet, your body makes fewer bowel movements.

Your doctor might recommend that you eat a low-fiber diet for a short time if you have:

●A flare-up of diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease

●Gastroparesis (when the stomach empties more slowly than normal)

●Short periods of bowel cramping or diarrhea

●Narrowing of your intestine

●Had certain kinds of surgery (for example, hemorrhoidectomy, colostomy, ileostomy, or surgery in the belly area)

You should only eat a low-fiber diet for a short time until your symptoms improve. Then, once you can increase your fiber, slowly add foods back into your diet 1 at a time.

When you eat a low-fiber diet, you might also need extra nutrients. Talk with your doctor or nurse about adding vitamin supplements to your diet.

What can I eat and drink on a low-fiber diet? — Choose foods with low amounts of fiber. Some guidelines and examples:

●Grains – Eat breads and grains with less than 2 grams of fiber per serving. These include foods like white bread without seeds, white flour or corn tortillas, well-cooked white rice or white pasta, refined white flour crackers, cream of wheat and rice, fine-ground grits, and cereal made from white flour like puffed rice and corn flakes.

●Dairy products – Eat foods like milk, cheese, kefir, ice cream, and sherbet. Plain or flavored yogurt is good to eat as long as there is no fruit, nuts, seeds, or granola added to it. You can also have non-dairy and lactose-free milk products.

●Meats and proteins – Eat tender, well-cooked meats such as beef, pork, lamb, turkey, chicken, and fish. Eat smooth nut and seed butters like almond, peanut, and sunflower. You can also eat eggs and tofu.

●Fruits and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are good to eat as long as you do not eat the seeds, skins, or membranes. Fruits should be soft, canned, or well cooked. Examples include canned peaches and pears, and applesauce. You can also drink fruit and vegetable juices without pulp. Vegetables should also be canned or well cooked. Examples include cooked carrots, green beans, and potatoes with skin.

What foods and drinks should I avoid on a low-fiber diet? — It is important to avoid or limit certain foods. Some guidelines and examples:

●Grains to avoid – These include whole-wheat and whole-grain breads, whole-grain tortillas, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, kasha, barley, and popcorn. This also includes high-fiber cereals such as oatmeal, bran flakes, and shredded wheat.

●Dairy products to avoid – Avoid yogurts and ice cream with added fruit, nuts, or granola.

●Meats and proteins to avoid – Avoid meat, poultry, and fish that is fried or fatty or has gristle. Avoid processed meats like sausage, bacon, and hotdogs, as well as luncheon meats like bologna and salami. Avoid chunky nut butters, hummus, sushi, and seafood with a tough or rubbery texture like shrimp and scallops. Avoid dried peas, beans, and lentils.

●Fruits and vegetables to avoid – Avoid raw, dried, or undercooked fruits and vegetables. Avoid canned pineapple, papaya, and mandarin oranges. Avoid alfalfa, bean sprouts, and vegetable juices with pulp.

What else should I know? — When you add fiber back into your diet:

●Check with your doctor first.

●Add fiber back into your diet slowly. Start by adding fiber to 1 of your meals each day.

●Let your body adjust before you add more fiber to your diet.

●Drink plenty of water.

More on this topic

Patient education: Colon polyps (The Basics)
Patient education: Celiac disease (The Basics)
Patient education: Diverticulitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Rectal prolapse in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Rectal prolapse in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Hemorrhoids (The Basics)
Patient education: Diet for inflammatory bowel disease in adults (The Basics)

Patient education: Ulcerative colitis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Diverticular disease (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Colon polyps (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Celiac disease in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Celiac disease in children (Beyond the Basics)