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