Low-Fiber Diet

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What is the low-fiber diet?

The low-fiber diet is an eating plan used to reduce the amount of undigested food that passes through the body. It involves limiting how much fiber you eat in a day so that your body produces less stool. The low-fiber diet may help lessen such symptoms as abdominal cramping, bloating, and diarrhea.

Are there other names for this diet?

Other names for the low-fiber diet include the fiber-restricted diet and the low-residue diet.

How does the low-fiber diet help people with cancer?

Certain cancer treatments irritate the digestive tract or make it difficult to pass stool. The low-fiber diet can promote the movement of solid food through the digestive tract. This lessens the risk of bowel obstructions. The low-fiber diet may help people who have had bowel surgery, who are receiving radiation in areas of the body that affect the digestive tract, or who have a bowel obstruction or a narrowing of the bowels.

What are the basic principles of the low-fiber diet?

  • Limit the amount of fiber you consume in a day to 12 grams. Avoid foods with more than 2 grams of fiber per serving. Grains are a good place to start when you are looking for ways to eliminate fiber from your diet. If whole grains are part of your diet, switch to grains made with white flour or refined flour.
  • Staying hydrated can help you stay regular. Drink at least 8 to 10 cups of fluid every day.
  • Limit beverages containing high-fructose corn syrup to 12 ounces per day. Avoid beverages sweetened with sorbitol or other sugar substitutes.
  • Raw vegetables and even certain cooked vegetables can irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Eat vegetables that are well cooked and choose fruits that have a soft texture, like melon and bananas. Avoid vegetables that can cause gas, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Remove thick skins and seeds from fruits and vegetables.
  • Limit fats and oils to less than 8 teaspoons a day if you are having diarrhea. Fat can make diarrhea worse.
  • If you are lactose intolerant, drinking milk products from cows or goats may make diarrhea worse. Take extra care when choosing dairy products. Opt for lactose-free dairy or try dairy alternatives.
  • As symptoms improve, introduce problem foods back in to your diet slowly and in small amounts.

What are the foods you can eat on the low-fiber diet?

FOOD GROUPS FOODS TO INCLUDE
Grains Bread, bagels, rolls, crackers, and pasta made from white flour or refined flour
Cereals made from white flour or refined flour (corn flakes, puffed rice, cream of wheat, cream of rice, and refined grits)
Proteins Tender, well-cooked, lean skinless meats that have been prepared without added fat (beef, fish, lamb, pork, and poultry)
Lean deli meats
Well-cooked eggs
Tofu
Smooth nut and seed butters (almond, peanut, and sunflower)
Dairy Lactose-free milk
Fortified nondairy milks (almond, cashew, coconut, and rice)
Lactose-free yogurt
Kefir
Lactose-free ice cream
Lactose-free cottage cheese
Vegetables Well-cooked vegetables without seeds or skins
Potatoes without skin
Strained vegetable juice
Fruit Most fruit juices
Ripe bananas
Melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon)
Peeled apples
Canned soft fruits in juice, except pineapple
Fats and Oils Unsaturated oils (olive, peanut, soy, sunflower, and canola)
Soft or liquid margarines and vegetable oil spreads
Salad dressings
Beverages Water
Decaffeinated coffee
Caffeine-free tea
Rehydration drinks containing electrolytes
Low Fiber Diet Recipes

A low-fiber diet may help ease cramping, diarrhea, and other concerns related to surgery. View our recipes.

What are the foods to avoid on the low-fiber diet?

FOOD GROUPS FOODS TO AVOID
Grains Whole-wheat or whole-grain breads, rolls, crackers, and pasta
Brown and wild rice
Barley, oats, and other whole grains, such as quinoa
Cereals made from whole grains or bran, such as shredded wheat or bran flakes
Breads and cereals made with seeds or nuts
Popcorn
Proteins Fried meat, poultry, and fish
High-fat deli meats, such as ham or roast beef
High-fat cured meats, such as bologna or salami
Sausage and bacon
Hot dogs
Fatty or marbled meat
Beans, peas, and lentils
Hummus
Nuts and seeds (coconut, chia seeds, and flaxseed)
Crunchy nut butters (including almond and peanut)
Dairy Any dairy products that contain lactose, if lactose intolerance is a problem
Vegetables All raw vegetables
All fried vegetables
Cooked vegetables known to cause gas (beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, corn, kale, lima beans, mushrooms, okra, onions, potato skins, and spinach)
Fruit Most fresh fruit
All dried fruit, especially prunes and raisins
Fruit juice with pulp
Canned fruit in heavy syrup
Fruit sweetened with sorbitol
Prune juice
Fats and Oils Butter
Lard
Full-fat mayonnaise
Beverages Caffeinated coffee
Caffeinated tea
Soda
Sparkling water
Energy drinks
Alcoholic beverages
Sweeteners Sugar alcohols, such as xylitol and sorbitol
Sugar substitutes, such as aspartame and sucralose
Honey

Are there medications to avoid while on the low-fiber diet?

No. If you are unsure, speak with your doctor or dietitian.

What are some common concerns of people on the low-fiber diet, and how do you solve them?

CONCERN SOLUTION
How do I follow a healthy diet without fresh fruits and vegetables? The best way to stay healthy on the low-fiber diet is to include a wide variety of foods in your diet. Incorporate well-cooked vegetables and canned or raw fruits that are soft in texture. Enjoy small portions of fruits and vegetables in smoothies, shakes, or soups in combination with other nonfibrous ingredients. Ask your doctor when you can begin to introduce fiber back in to your diet.
Am I going to be constipated without fiber and whole grains in my diet? Drinking plenty of fluids is the best way to stay regular. Exercise can also help. Ask your doctor how much physical activity you can incorporate in your day.

What are some tips for people on the low-fiber diet?

  • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid constipation. Water (bottled or tap) or rehydration drinks with electrolytes are good options, since sparking beverages and energy drinks should be avoided.
  • Take small bites and chew your food well.
  • If you have diarrhea, avoid foods that are high in fat and that contain lactose.

What are tips for caregivers helping people who are on this diet?

  • Utilize kitchen tools — such as an immersion blender, food processer, or juicer — for creative ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables safely. This breaks down the fiber in fresh produce, making it easier to digest.
  • Use cooking methods that keep foods moist and soft (simmering, poaching, stewing) rather than methods that dry out foods (grilling, roasting, broiling).