A Guide to Which Fruits Have Less Fibre

November 16, 2025 •

3 min read

For individuals with specific digestive issues, including inflammatory bowel disease, or those preparing for medical procedures, a low-fiber diet is often medically recommended. Understanding which fruits have less fibre is crucial for managing symptoms and providing the digestive system a much-needed rest during these times.

Quick Summary

This guide details a comprehensive list of low-fiber fruits and effective preparation techniques like peeling and cooking to reduce fiber content. It also covers fruits to avoid and offers insights into the benefits of a low-fiber diet for digestive health.

Key Points

Ripe Bananas and Melons: Opt for ripe bananas, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon for low-fiber options that are gentle on the digestive system.
Peel Fruits: Removing the skin from fruits like apples, pears, and peaches significantly reduces their fiber content.
Choose Cooked or Canned: Cooking or canning fruits breaks down tough fibers, making applesauce, canned peaches, and stewed fruits easy to digest.
Strain Juices: Select pulp-free and strained fruit juices to avoid extra fiber from the pulp and seeds.
Avoid High-Fiber Fruits: Stay away from dried fruits, berries, and citrus fruits with tough membranes or pith, as they are high in fiber.
Consult a Professional: Always follow a low-fiber diet under the guidance of a healthcare professional to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Understanding Fiber and Low-Residue Diets

Dietary fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet, promoting regular bowel movements and maintaining gut health. However, there are times when reducing fiber intake is necessary. A low-fiber or low-residue diet is often prescribed by healthcare professionals for managing conditions like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis, especially during flare-ups. It is also standard protocol before certain medical procedures, such as a colonoscopy. This eating plan minimizes the amount of undigested material that passes through the gut, thereby reducing stool volume and giving the digestive system a break. Choosing the right fruits, and preparing them correctly, is a key component of successfully following this diet.

Which Fresh Fruits Have Less Fibre?

Selecting the right fresh fruit involves choosing those that are naturally lower in fiber and ensuring they are ripe. Ripeness significantly impacts fiber content, especially for bananas, where starch is converted to sugar, making them easier to digest. Additionally, the skin and seeds of most fruits are a major source of fiber, so removing them is a necessary step.

Ripe Bananas: Ripe or even overripe bananas are one of the best choices for a low-fiber diet, containing less resistant starch than their green counterparts. Melons: Cantaloupe, honeydew, and seedless watermelon are excellent options, as they are mostly water and have a low fiber content once the seeds are removed. Peeled Peaches and Nectarines: These soft fruits become very low in fiber once the skin is removed. Choosing ripe ones further reduces their fiber load. Peeled Pears and Apples: When peeled and cored, the fleshy part of apples and pears contains considerably less fiber. Cooking them can further break down the fiber, making them even gentler on the digestive system. Apricots and Plums: Peeled and very ripe, these fruits are suitable for a low-residue diet. Mango: The soft, fleshy part of a mango is naturally low in fiber and easy to digest.

Prepared Fruits for a Lower Fiber Count

For even gentler options, prepared fruits are a reliable choice. The canning and cooking processes help break down the fiber, making it even less impactful on the digestive system.

Applesauce: A classic low-fiber choice, applesauce has a smooth consistency and is very easy to digest.
Canned Fruits: Peaches, pears, mandarin oranges, and fruit cocktail canned in juice are excellent low-fiber options. Be sure to choose options packed in water or their own juice, not heavy syrup.
Stewed Fruits: Cooking fruits like apples or plums softens them significantly, reducing the fiber’s bulk and making them more manageable for a sensitive gut.
Smooth Fruit Juice: Strained, pulp-free juices provide vitamins without the added bulk of pulp and seeds. Prune juice should generally be avoided due to its laxative effect.

Comparison of Low-Fiber and High-Fiber Fruits

This table provides a quick reference for making informed choices on a low-fiber diet.


Low-Fiber Fruits (Peeled/Cooked)	High-Fiber Fruits (Often Avoided)
Ripe Banana	Dried fruits (prunes, raisins, dates)
Cantaloupe, Honeydew Melon	Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
Applesauce	Unpeeled apples and pears
Peeled Peaches and Pears (canned or fresh)	Oranges with pith
Peeled Plums and Apricots	Figs and dates
Strained Fruit Juice	Pineapple
Mango	Coconut

Important Considerations and When to Consult a Professional

While following a low-fiber diet can be beneficial for short-term symptom management, it is generally not a sustainable long-term solution without medical supervision. Fiber is essential for overall gut health, and prolonged restriction can lead to nutritional deficiencies over time. It is critical to work with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to understand the duration and specifics of your low-fiber diet. When symptoms improve, fiber should be gradually reintroduced to avoid digestive issues.

For more detailed guidance on dietary restrictions, especially in relation to medical procedures, the Mayo Clinic offers extensive information on healthy diets.

Conclusion

Making conscious choices about fruit and its preparation is key to managing a low-fiber diet effectively. By opting for peeled, cooked, or canned fruits like ripe bananas, applesauce, and melons, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of fruit while giving your digestive system a break. It is important to avoid high-fiber options like berries and dried fruits during this time. As always, any significant dietary changes should be discussed with a healthcare provider to ensure a balanced and appropriate eating plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, ripe bananas are an excellent choice for a low-fiber diet. As a banana ripens, its carbohydrates turn from resistant starch into sugar, making it easier for the digestive system to process.

Canned peaches, particularly those packed in juice or water without the skin, are considered a low-fiber fruit option. The canning process softens the fruit, making it less fibrous.

Yes, the majority of an apple's fiber is found in its skin. Peeling an apple and removing the core can reduce its fiber content by about half, making it suitable for a low-fiber diet.

The best fruit juice for a low-fiber diet is one that is strained and pulp-free. Smooth juices without bits or pulp are easier on the digestive system. Prune juice should typically be avoided.

A low-fiber diet is usually temporary because fiber is important for overall gut health. Prolonged use can lead to nutritional deficiencies. It's meant to give the digestive system a rest and should only be followed under medical guidance.

Yes, cooking fruits softens the flesh and helps break down the fibers, making them easier to digest. Stewed apples or peaches are examples of how cooking can make fruits low-fiber friendly.

Avocados can be included in a low-fiber diet, particularly when very ripe and soft. They are generally considered easy to digest and suitable for a low-residue diet.

You should avoid fruits with high fiber content, including most raw berries, dried fruits like prunes and raisins, and fruits with skins and seeds that are hard to digest.

These terms are often used interchangeably. A low-residue diet is a type of low-fiber diet that aims to reduce the amount of undigested material, or 'residue,' that remains in the colon and contributes to stool bulk.