Although a high-fiber diet is generally recommended for most people, there are some cases where a low-fiber diet may be necessary.
A diet lower in fiber may be tried before a colonoscopy, for diverticulitis, during a flare-up of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis), for constipation, or other conditions. The recommendation is usually temporary until the procedure is over or the condition improves.
This article discusses the long- and short-term conditions under which a low-fiber diet may be recommended.
Photo composition by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images
Low fiber food list and diet guidance
Fiber can be found in plant foods (fruits and vegetables). It is not digested by the body. It works to bulk up the stool and move it easily through the intestines. A high-fiber diet is usually recommended for most people. However, low-fiber foods may be necessary under certain circumstances, usually for a limited time.
Duration
How long you should follow a low-fiber diet depends on why it is recommended. The healthcare provider who recommended the diet should provide some guidelines.
In some cases, higher fiber foods will be slowly added back into the eating plan. If symptoms return or new symptoms appear (such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation), you may need to slow down adding fiber.
What to eat
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Apple sauce
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Bananas
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Canned potatoes, carrots, green beans and peaches
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Breakfast cereals, breads, cookies, pancakes, waffles, bagels, and crackers made from refined wheat or rye flour
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Creamy peanut butter and other nut butters
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Dairy products, if tolerated, such as yogurt, milk, ice cream and cheese
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Eggs
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Fruit and vegetable juice (no pulp)
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Meat such as fish and poultry, ham, bacon, shellfish and deli meats
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Melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew)
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Tofu
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White rice and pasta
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Beans, including fried and lima, peas and lentils
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Bran
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Brown and wild rice
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Thick peanut butter
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Coconut
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Cornbread and cornmeal
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Muesli
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Meat with cartilage
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Nuts, seeds and dried fruit
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Popcorn and chips
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Quinoa
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Wheat germ
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Whole grain
Limiting fiber during the day
It can be challenging to understand which foods contain less fiber. Fiber can be found in fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. Reading nutrition labels can help.
For a low-fiber diet, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center recommends choosing foods that contain less than 2 grams (g) of fiber per serving and eating less than 3 grams of fiber per meal. They also recommend eating less than 10 grams of fiber per day.
Cooking tips
Foods such as meat and vegetables should be well cooked and tender. Various cooking methods can be used to ensure food is cooked thoroughly, including baking, braising, microwaving, poaching, simmering, steaming and stewing.
Amendments
Meeting nutritional needs while following a low-fiber diet can be challenging. It can be difficult to get enough vitamins and minerals. Every person has unique nutritional needs.
If this diet is followed for more than a few days, it may be helpful to work with a dietitian to learn how to modify an eating plan or whether vitamin supplements are needed.
Fiber ensures that the stool becomes larger and that it moves smoothly through the intestines. Without enough fiber, a change in bowel habits may occur (such as diarrhea or constipation). Drinking more fluids, especially water, may be recommended while cutting back on fiber.
Benefits of eating low fiber diet foods
The reasons why a low-fiber diet is necessary and how it benefits will differ depending on the condition.
Colonoscopy preparation
The goal of a colonoscopy preparation is to remove all stool from the colon. This is so that a healthcare provider can look inside the colon during the procedure and take biopsies (tissue samples to be analyzed in a laboratory) without stool getting in the way.
A low-fiber or low-fiber diet may be recommended from one week to three days before the colonoscopy. A healthcare provider will provide detailed instructions on how to eat and prepare for the test.
One study found that people recommended a low-fiber diet prior to a colonoscopy often still ate high-fiber foods. High-fiber vegetables were the most commonly eaten high-fiber foods among study participants.
Constipation
In many cases, people living with constipation may be told to eat more fiber. That recommendation depends on the reason for constipation, such as not drinking enough fluids or eating fiber-rich foods.
However, it is possible to eat too much fiber, which can cause digestive symptoms such as bloating and constipation. For people who already eat a high-fiber diet and suffer from constipation, adding more fiber may not be the solution. Some people may discover this through trial and error.
Temporarily reducing fiber intake may be recommended by a healthcare provider for constipation associated with a high-fiber diet.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
The connection between IBS and diet is complicated. The foods that affect people with IBS vary by individual.
In general, eating more fiber is recommended for people with IBS. However, sometimes a healthcare provider may recommend a low-fiber diet to address symptoms such as bloating.
A diet low in FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) may be recommended. In this diet, foods with a higher FODMAP content are avoided.
FODMAPs are not always abundant in high-fiber foods and are absent in high-fiber foods, but some high-fiber foods are also high in FODMAPs. It can be challenging to get enough fiber and also avoid foods containing FODMAPs, which can cause more symptoms. A healthcare provider can advise you on how to follow a low-FODMAP eating plan while getting enough fiber.
IBD
For IBD that is not active, meaning there are no symptoms and/or inflammation in the digestive system, a high-fiber eating plan or a plant-based eating plan may be recommended. The goal would be to reduce the amount of foods in a typical Western diet, such as foods that are highly processed and low in fiber.
During a flare-up, when inflammation increases, a low-fiber diet may be recommended. When inflammation is better controlled, it is recommended that people with IBD try incorporating more fiber into their diet.
Adding more fiber can be challenging, so it is recommended that people work with a healthcare provider who can provide guidance.
Diverticular disease
Called bags diverticula that shape in the colon is a sign of diverticular disease. People with this condition are often advised to eat a high-fiber diet.
Usually these bulges do not cause any problems, but they can become inflamed and cause symptoms, leading to a condition called diverticulitis. In the case of diverticulitis, a low-fiber diet for several days may be recommended as part of the treatment.
Adding fiber to the diet after an attack of diverticulitis is done slowly, as tolerated. The goal will be to return to a normal diet in time, which is intended to minimize abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Intestinal strictures
A narrowing (stricture) in the small or large intestine due to scar tissue or inflammation can lead to a blockage. For those prone to strictures, high-fiber foods can cause symptoms such as pain, so a low-fiber diet may be recommended.
Additionally, changing the particle size of some fiber foods can help. You can do this by blending them (such as in a smoothie) or cooking them thoroughly.
Gastroparesis
In this condition, the stomach and intestines do not work as well to pass food. A low-fiber diet may be recommended for the short or long term. Gastroparesis requires specialized treatment. A team of caregivers will provide support and guidance on an eating plan.
Before or after the operation
In the days before and after digestive tract surgery, your health care provider may recommend a low-fiber diet to prevent a buildup of stool before surgery and to help the digestive system heal more quickly afterward. Your provider will discuss your need for a low-fiber diet before the procedure.
Low-residue diet
A low-residue diet is not the same as a low-fiber diet. They are similar in that both diets restrict fiber. However, a low-residue diet also excludes any foods that can have a laxative effect, helping you empty your bowels. This can be prunes and prune juice, but also foods and drinks that contain caffeine.
It’s important to work with a healthcare provider to help you avoid foods that are not allowed on a low-residue diet.
Low Fiber Considerations and Dietary Restrictions
Eating plans can be complicated. They must consider not only health conditions, but also personal tastes and cultural practices surrounding food.
It is not always easy to understand what is and is not allowed on a low-fiber diet. Your treating healthcare providers will be the best source of information about your need for a low-fiber diet.
People who need a low-fiber diet long-term may want to explore patient groups that can help provide recipes or dietary suggestions. It is also important to check in with health care providers regularly to check for any vitamin deficiencies and whether it is safe to reintroduce foods with higher fiber content.
Low fiber versus carnivore diet
The carnivore diet focuses on eliminating fruits and vegetables and eating more foods high in protein, usually from animal sources. The goal is different than a low-fiber diet.
The carnivore diet may be low in fiber because many sources of dietary fiber are not allowed. Some fruits and vegetables that are easier to digest and contain less fiber are allowed on the low-fiber diet.
Long-term effects of a low-fiber diet
For most people, a low-fiber diet is not recommended in the long term. Most adults in the United States do not get the recommended amount of fiber in their diet. A diet high in fiber better supports overall health.
Eating a high-fiber diet is associated with:
- A more balanced gut microbiome (the balance of microbes living in the intestines)
- A reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- A reduced risk of constipation
- A reduced risk of certain types of cancer, including colon cancer
- Maintain a healthy weight
Resume
A low-fiber diet is recommended to treat certain conditions or before an examination or procedure. There are circumstances in which a low-fiber diet may be recommended for long-term use by a healthcare provider. But in many cases, increasing fiber in the diet is important to ensure that sufficient vitamins and minerals are absorbed.
Additionally, eating a high-fiber diet may reduce the risk of developing other conditions. It is important to work with a healthcare provider to understand fiber needs and when and how to reduce or increase fiber intake, especially if a low-fiber diet is needed in the long term.