Foods With the Least Amount of Fiber

December 13, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a low-fiber diet is one that contains less than 10 grams of fiber per day, and animal products are naturally completely devoid of this plant-based nutrient. In general, the least fibrous foods are those derived from animals, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy, as well as highly processed or refined plant-based foods that have had the fiber removed.

Quick Summary

Animal-based foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy contain no dietary fiber, as fiber is exclusively found in plants. Highly refined plant products, including white bread and rice, also offer minimal fiber because it is stripped away during processing. These low-fiber options are often used in special medical diets to rest the digestive system.

Key Points

Zero Fiber in Animal Products: Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy are naturally fiber-free because fiber is only found in plant foods.
Refined Grains are Low Fiber: The refining process strips grains of their bran and germ, drastically reducing fiber content in foods like white bread and white rice.
Medical Need for Low-Fiber: Low-fiber diets are often prescribed to rest the digestive system, for example, during flare-ups of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or after gastrointestinal surgery.
Processing Reduces Fiber: Removing the skin from fruits and vegetables or straining pulp from juices removes fiber, turning a high-fiber food into a low-fiber one.
Read Labels Carefully: Some refined foods, like certain cereals or yogurt, may have added fiber, so checking the nutrition label is essential for strict low-fiber diets.
Gradual Reintroduction of Fiber: Following a low-fiber diet long-term is not ideal for general health and should only be done under a doctor's guidance, with fiber being reintroduced slowly.

The Core Principle: Fiber Only Comes from Plants

Dietary fiber is a component found exclusively in plant-based foods. It is the part of the plant material that the human body cannot digest or absorb. This fundamental truth explains why all animal products naturally contain zero grams of fiber. This includes all forms of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy.

Foods with Virtually No Fiber

For individuals needing to follow a very low-fiber diet, often prescribed for specific medical conditions, knowing which foods are essentially fiber-free is crucial. These are not only animal products but also highly refined carbohydrates.

Animal Products (Zero Fiber)

Meat: All fresh cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and poultry contain no fiber.
Fish and Shellfish: All types of fish and shellfish are fiber-free.
Eggs: Whether scrambled, boiled, or poached, eggs have 0 grams of fiber.
Dairy: Most standard dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt without added fruit or granola, contain no fiber.
Fats and Oils: Butter, margarine, lard, and most cooking oils contain no fiber.

Refined Grains (Very Low Fiber)

When grains are refined, the bran and germ are removed, which strips away most of their dietary fiber.

White Bread and White Flour Products: A slice of white bread contains less than 1 gram of fiber, and products like white pasta and crackers are also very low in fiber.
White Rice: Unlike brown rice, which is a whole grain, white rice is refined and contains very little fiber, typically less than 1 gram per cup.
Some Cereals: Refined cereals like Corn Flakes or puffed rice contain very little fiber.

The Role of Low-Fiber Diets in Medicine

While a high-fiber diet is generally recommended for long-term health, a low-fiber diet serves a critical purpose in specific medical scenarios. It is often prescribed to reduce the amount of undigested material moving through the bowels, effectively giving the digestive system a rest.

Reasons for a low-fiber diet include:

Digestive Issues: Managing flare-ups of conditions like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis.
Gastrointestinal Surgery: Resting the bowels during recovery from certain surgeries.
Bowel Obstruction: Used when a blockage in the bowel is present.
Radiation Therapy: When undergoing treatment that irritates the digestive tract.
Severe Diarrhea: Helping to alleviate symptoms by slowing down bowel movements.

Comparison Table: High-Fiber vs. Low-Fiber Foods


Food Category	High-Fiber Examples	Low-Fiber Examples
Grains	Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oats, quinoa, popcorn	White bread, white rice, white pasta, refined cereals
Proteins	Lentils, chickpeas, beans, nuts, seeds	Tender meats, fish, eggs, tofu, smooth nut butters
Fruits	Raspberries, apples with skin, prunes, dried fruit	Canned fruit, seedless melon, ripe bananas, strained juice
Vegetables	Broccoli, corn, peas, leafy greens, potato with skin	Cooked carrots, peeled potatoes, well-cooked green beans
Dairy	Yogurt with granola or fruit, ice cream with nuts	Plain milk, plain cheese, smooth yogurt, unadorned ice cream

Understanding the Difference: Refined vs. Whole Foods

The contrast between high-fiber and low-fiber foods often boils down to one key difference: processing. Whole foods, particularly plants, contain intact fibrous structures that are essential for digestive health. Refining processes strip these beneficial components away, resulting in a product that provides calories but lacks the fiber and many other nutrients found in its original form. For instance, an apple is high in fiber, but apple juice with the pulp strained out is low in fiber. Similarly, a whole potato with the skin is high in fiber, but mashed, peeled potatoes are not.

Outbound Link

For more detailed guidance on following a low-fiber diet under medical supervision, consult the resources provided by the Mayo Clinic at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/low-fiber-diet/art-20048511.

Conclusion

Foods with the least amount of fiber are predominantly animal products, which contain none, and highly refined plant-based items where the fiber has been removed during processing. Meats, dairy, eggs, and white grains like white bread and white rice are primary examples. While a diet rich in fiber is generally recommended for overall health, a low-fiber eating plan is a crucial tool in specific medical situations, such as managing digestive illnesses or recovering from surgery. Understanding the difference between whole and refined foods is the simplest way to identify the least fibrous options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common foods with zero fiber include all animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and cheese. Additionally, fats and oils, plain butter, and sugar contain no dietary fiber.

White rice has very little fiber because it is a refined grain, meaning the outer bran layer containing the fiber has been removed during processing. Brown rice, being a whole grain, retains this fibrous layer.

Yes, most standard dairy products like milk, plain cheese, and simple yogurt are fiber-free. However, products with added fruits, nuts, or grains may contain fiber, so it is important to check the label.

While a high-fiber diet is recommended for most people, a low-fiber diet is sometimes medically necessary for a short period to manage certain digestive conditions or after surgery. Long-term low-fiber diets are not generally advised and should be supervised by a healthcare professional.

Yes, removing the skin from fruits like apples and pears, and vegetables like potatoes, significantly reduces their fiber content. The skin is often where much of the dietary fiber is concentrated.

A low-residue diet is similar to a low-fiber diet but is even more restrictive. It limits foods that leave a residue in the intestines, such as fiber, milk products, and some fats. It aims to reduce the amount of stool and is typically used for specific medical preparations.

Whole grains include the entire grain kernel (bran, germ, and endosperm), all of which contain fiber. Refined grains only contain the endosperm, as the bran and germ are removed during milling, leaving them with very little fiber.