Low-fiber diet — Learn which foods are allowed and which foods to avoid.
Fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables and grains not broken down by the body that contributes to stool. Your doctor may prescribe a low-fiber diet if you have certain digestive concerns, such as after bowel surgery, or if you have certain digestive problems, such as diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A low-fiber diet limits the amount of undigested materials that must pass through the large intestine and may help control abdominal cramping and diarrhea in some cases.
Foods allowed
- Enriched white bread
- White rice
- Plain pasta, noodles or macaroni
- Cereals with no more than 1 gram of dietary fiber per serving
- Most canned or cooked fruits without skins, seeds or membranes
- Raw fruit without skin or membranes
- Fruit juice with little or no pulp
- Canned or well-cooked vegetables without seeds, hulls or skins — such as carrots or string beans
- Tender meat, poultry and fish
- Eggs
- Smooth peanut butter — up to 2 tablespoons a day
- Milk, yogurt or cheese without seeds or nuts
- Fats, oils and dressings without seeds
- Desserts with no seeds or nuts
Foods to avoid
Note: Limit fruits and vegetables to one to two servings a day. One serving is 1/2 cup or one small whole fruit.
- Whole-grain breads, cereals and pasta
- Brown or wild rice
- Dried fruits
- Raw fruit with skin or membranes, such as oranges and grapefruit
- Pears
- Raw vegetables
- Dried beans or peas
- Baked beans
- Luncheon meats and cheese with seeds
- Chunky peanut butter
- Seeds and nuts, and foods containing them
- Coconut
- Popcorn
Last Updated: 08/15/2007
