Digestive Health: Low Fiber Diet
A diet that is low in fiber may be recommended if you have chronic diarrhea, colitis, intestinal obstructions, or other problems in your stomach or intestines. Fiber in food is not digested; it increases the amount of stool you produce, and also increases how often you have bowel movements. This diet will help you have fewer and smaller bowel movements with less pressure, cramping and pain. It can also help to prevent bowel obstructions.
Fiber is found in plant foods. Varying amounts are found in fruits, vegetables and grains. There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is highest in foods such as fruit, oats, barley, oat bran and legumes (beans). Insoluble fiber is found in whole wheat breads and cereals, vegetables, and seeds.
Note: It is important to note that the amount of fiber in a certain food is not changed by cooking the food, or by grinding or pureeing the food.
Foods that are recommended and foods to avoid are listed in the following table:
Food Group |
Foods Recommended |
Foods to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
Breads, Grains, Pastas, Rice
|
White breads, rolls, biscuits, muffins, and crackers without seeds and nuts White Rice White Pasta
|
Any bread product or pasta made with whole grains or bran. Any product made with high amount of seeds, dried fruit, coconut, or nuts. Brown rice 100% Wild rice. Check food labels and avoid any products with 3 or more grams of fiber per serving. |
Cereals |
Check labels on cereal boxes and choose cereals with Refined cooked cereals, e.g. cream of wheat or farina. |
Whole grain or bran cereals All cereal with more than 3 grams fiber per serving. Granola, oatmeal Cereal bars > 3 g fiber per serving |
Fruits – frozen or canned
|
Canned, soft and well cooked fruits
Fruit juice |
Dried fruits Fruit juice with pulp, prune juice. Fruit skin |
Vegetables – frozen or canned |
Mashed potatoes Vegetables without skin or seeds Vegetable juice |
Cooked greens or spinach High fiber vegetables such as peas or corn |
Dried Beans and Lentils |
None |
All dried beans such as kidney, garbanzo, black, navy, and pinto beans. Soy beans Lentils |
Meats, Poultry, Fish, Eggs |
Meats, poultry, eggs and fish. |
Soy meat substitutes such as Boca burgers. |
Dairy |
Milk, cheese and yogurt, sour cream and any dairy products as tolerated. |
None |
Beverages |
Coffee and tea Cocoa Carbonated beverages Fruit juices |
Prune juice |
Fats |
Butter and margarine Vegetable oil Olive oil Salad dressings made without fruits, nuts, or seeds Meat gravies |
None |
Desserts and Sweets |
Sugar, honey, molasses, corn syrup. Jelly Sherbet, frozen yogurt, ice cream, and popsicles made without fruits, seeds, or nuts. Cookies, pastries, pies, puddings, custards, and candy made without fruit, seeds, or nuts. |
Any dessert made with high amounts of nuts, seeds, or coconut. |
Miscellaneous |
Salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, herbs, and other spices as tolerated. Cream sauces Smooth peanut butter and nut butters, limited to 1 tablespoon per serving. |
Nuts and seeds Soups, casseroles, and other mixed dishes made with high fiber fruits, vegetables, or grains. |
Teach Back:
What is the most important thing you learned from this handout?
What changes will you make in your diet/lifestyle, based on what you learned today?
If you are a UW Health patient and have more questions please contact UW Health at one of the phone numbers listed below. You can also visit our website at www.uwhealth.org/nutrition
Nutrition Clinic University Station 2880 University Avenue Madison, WI 53705 (608) 263-5012 Appt Scheduling 608-263-4360 |
Nutrition Clinic UW Health West Clinic 451 Junction Road Madison, WI 53717 (608) 265-7526 Appt Scheduling 608-262-9181 |
Nutrition Clinic UW Health East Clinic 5249 East Terrace Drive Madison, WI 53718 (608) 265-0963 Appt Scheduling 608-265-7405 |
UW Medical Foundation |
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 05/23/2013
Copyright © 03/06/2013 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#381
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