You may need to eat a low fiber diet if you have certain health conditions. Foods low in fiber include white bread, skinless vegetables, seedless fruits, and some dairy products, among others.
A low fiber diet, or low residue diet, limits the amount of fiber you eat each day. “Residue”
A low fiber diet aims to give your digestive system a rest by:
- reducing the amount of undigested food moving through the gut
- easing the amount of work the digestive system is doing
- reducing the amount of stool produced
- easing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms
Low residue diets have been removed from the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Nutrition Care Manual.
However, the authors of a
It’s important to note that low fiber diets are not intended for weight loss. Without proper guidance, the diet can cause unintended side effects and make symptoms worse in the long run.
Keep reading to learn more about the healthful ways to follow a low fiber diet.
Types of fiber
Dietary fiber
- Soluble fiber absorbs water during digestion and turns into a soft, gel-like substance. This type of fiber is less likely to irritate your GI tract. However, it may still increase symptoms like gas and bloating because soluble fiber-rich foods contain prebiotics that feed gut bacteria.
- Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in the stomach. It’s found in many foods not recommended to eat during a low fiber diet because the undigested fragments may irritate the gut.
Knowing the types of fiber you’re eating may help you prevent unpleasant symptoms.
A low fiber diet limits fiber intake to around
Below is a table of some low fiber foods to eat and high fiber foods to avoid:
| Types of food | Foods to eat | Foods to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | • refined carbohydrates • white bread • white pasta • white rice • low fiber cereal, hot or cold | • whole grain breads • whole grain pasta • whole grain cereals • flaxseed • popcorn • brown rice • cornmeal • bran |
| Vegetables | • canned vegetables • boiled or steamed vegetables • seedless and skinless vegetables • carrots • beets • potatoes • sweet potatoes • green beans • acorn squash • strained vegetable juice | • most raw vegetables • cruciferous vegetables • broccoli • cauliflower • cabbage • Swiss chard • kale • Brussels sprouts • onions • garlic • peppers |
| Fruits | • fruit juices without pulp • cantaloupe • honeydew melon • watermelon • bananas • peeled apples • peeled pears • avocado • peaches | • raw, dried fruit • plums • oranges • grapefruits • tomatoes |
| Protein and fats | • eggs • some dairy products • tofu • chicken • fish • smooth nut butters | • beans • legumes • nuts • seeds |
Remember, foods that make up the low fiber diet may not be the best options for long-term health.
For example, whole grain bread is
Before starting a low fiber diet, speak with a healthcare professional. They can offer advice on foods to eat and avoid, as well as help determine the proper amount of fiber for you to eat.
Some tips to help you manage your fiber intake include:
- buying foods with less than 2 g of fiber per serving
- peeling your vegetables and fruits
- avoiding foods that may trigger symptoms
- staying hydrated to help avoid constipation
- avoiding insoluble fibers
It might also help to meet with a dietitian to get specific meal plans and guidance on eating a low fiber diet.
Here are examples of meals you can eat on a low fiber diet:
Breakfast
- hard-boiled eggs with buttered white toast and unsweetened vegetable juice
- low fiber breakfast cereals, such as cornflakes, puffed rice, and porridge
Lunch
- tuna sandwich with an unseeded white roll and mayonnaise
- white rice with a chicken breast
Dinner
- lightly-seasoned salmon with mashed potatoes
- an omelet with roasted sweet potatoes
A low fiber diet can help give your digestive system a break because fiber takes more effort for your body to digest.
Your doctor might recommend trying this diet for a short time if you have one of the following:
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn’s disease
- ulcerative colitis
- diverticulitis
- diarrhea
- abdominal cramps
- irritation or damage in the digestive tract
- bowel narrowing caused by a tumor
- recovery from GI surgery, including colostomy and ileostomy
- current radiation therapy or other treatments that might affect the GI tract
Reducing your intake of fiber may help improve symptoms in the short term. However, it’s important to gradually reintroduce fiber into your diet when these symptoms improve.
The authors of a
- decreasing inflammation
- improving immune response and overall health
- restoring gut microbiome
- reducing the risk of colorectal cancer
You can start by adding a small portion of one high fiber food per day. If this doesn’t cause any symptoms, you can then add it back into your diet.
The amount of fiber you need depends on several factors, such as age, sex, and underlying health conditions. The
What foods are low in fiber for a colonoscopy?
A healthcare professional may recommend eating low fiber foods before getting a colonoscopy. These may include:
- refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, pasta, and rice
- some boiled or steamed vegetables
- some fruit and vegetable juices
- lean protein sources, such as eggs, chicken, and tofu
Can you eat oatmeal on a low fiber diet?
Oats are mostly high in soluble fiber. According to the
What is a low fiber diet for breakfast?
Some low fiber breakfast foods include:
- eggs
- white toast
- some breakfast cereals, such as cornflakes and puffed rice
- some fruits
A low fiber diet may help you manage symptoms if you’re living with a health condition that affects your digestive system.
However, it’s important to only follow a low fiber diet under the guidance of a healthcare professional. They can help you determine the best diet plan for you.
