Low fiber diet (1351)
Key points below
Fiber is a healthy part of a normal diet. Foods high in fiber may be harder to digest. Sometimes a low fiber diet may be needed for a short time to help with an illness.
Why do I need a low fiber diet?
You may need a low fiber diet (also known as fiber-restricted or low residue diet) to rest your intestines. This diet also helps to prevent blockage of a narrowed intestinal tract.
Points to keep in mind:
- Avoid any food made with raw vegetables, seeds, nuts and raw or dried fruit.
- Follow this diet for a limited time only. Talk to your health care provider about when to add fiber- containing foods back into your diet.
Drinks
Suggested foods: Strained fruit drinks, carbonated drinks, coffee, tea, milk.
May cause distress: Any drinks with fruit or vegetable pulp.
Breads, cereals and starches
Suggested foods:
- Refined breads, rolls, crackers, pancakes or waffles; plain pastries; flour tortillas.
- Refined cooked cereals including grits and farina
- Refined cereals like Rice Krispies® and corn flakes.
- Cooked potatoes without skin, white rice, refined pasta, couscous.
May cause distress:
- Any breads made with whole-grain flour, bran, seeds, nuts, coconut, or raw or dried fruits; cornbread, graham crackers.
- Oatmeal, any whole-grain, bran or granola cereal; any with seeds, nuts, coconut, or dried fruit.
- Whole grain pasta, brown rice, potatoes with skin.
Milk and dairy products
Suggested foods: Milk, smooth yogurt, ice cream, cheese.
May cause distress: Yogurt with fruit, seeds or granola.
Fruits
Suggested foods: Most canned or cooked fruits, applesauce, fruit cocktail, banana.
May cause distress: Dried fruit including raisins; all berries, most raw fruit.
Vegetables
Suggested foods: Most well-cooked and canned vegetables without seeds; lettuce if tolerated, strained vegetable juice.
May cause distress: Sauerkraut; winter squash; peas, corn; most raw vegetables. Vegetables with seeds like beans, cucumbers and zucchini.
Meat and meat substitutes
Suggested foods: Ground or well-cooked, tender beef, lamb, ham, veal, pork, poultry, fish, organ meats, eggs, tofu.
May cause distress: Any meat made with whole-grains, seeds, or nuts; dried beans, baked beans, pea, lentils, legumes, peanut butter.
Fats and desserts
Suggested foods:
- Margarine, butter, oil, smooth salad dressings, mayonnaise; bacon; plain gravies.
- Plain cakes and cookies; pie made with allowed fruits, plain sherbet, gelatin and custard; jelly, plain hard candy, marshmallows.
May cause distress:
- Tartar sauce.
- Salad dressing with vegetable pieces.
- Any desserts made with whole-grain flour, bran, seeds, nuts, coconut, or dried fruit.
Miscellaneous
Suggested foods: Salt, pepper, sugar, spices, herbs, vinegar, ketchup, mustard.
May cause distress: Nuts, coconut, seeds, pickles, and popcorn.
Sample menu for Fiber-Restricted Diet
Breakfast: Grape juice, puffed rice cereal, canned pears, white bread toast, butter, jelly, 2% milk
Lunch: Lean beef patty, Hamburger bun without seeds, Mustard, Ketchup, Canned peaches, Vanilla wafers, 2% milk
Dinner: Apple juice, Baked chicken strips, White rice, Cooked carrots, White dinner roll, Butter, Sherbet ½ cup, 2% milk
If you want a snack, choose something from the suggested food list.