Understanding What Foods Are Low in Fiber for Digestive Health

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Cancer Society, a low-fiber diet limits the amount of indigestible parts of food that pass through your digestive system. For this reason, knowing what foods are low in fiber is crucial for managing symptoms of certain gastrointestinal conditions or preparing for medical procedures like a colonoscopy.

Quick Summary

This guide details the specific food groups and preparation methods for low-fiber foods, such as refined grains, cooked fruits and vegetables without skins, and lean proteins. It provides a comprehensive list of what to eat and what to avoid, offering practical tips for managing a low-fiber eating plan for short-term digestive rest.

Key Points

Low-Fiber Diet Purpose: A low-fiber or low-residue diet is a temporary eating plan to reduce the amount of undigested food passing through the intestines, helping to rest the digestive system.
Refined Grains are Key: Opt for refined grains like white bread, white rice, and refined pasta, which have most of their fiber removed during processing.
Peel and Cook Fruits and Vegetables: To reduce fiber content, always peel fruits and vegetables and cook them thoroughly. Avoid raw produce and those with seeds.
Choose Lean Proteins and Dairy: Lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, and smooth dairy products are excellent low-fiber protein sources. Avoid beans, nuts, and seeds.
Short-Term Use and Risks: This diet is typically not for long-term use and can lead to constipation or nutrient deficiencies over time. It is crucial to follow it under medical supervision.
Stay Hydrated: Increased fluid intake is essential on a low-fiber diet to prevent constipation, as less fiber means less water is absorbed by stool.

What is a Low-Fiber Diet?

A low-fiber diet, often also called a low-residue diet, is a temporary eating plan designed to reduce the amount of undigested food that passes through your intestines. "Residue" refers to the undigested dietary fiber and other food materials that make up stool. By limiting these foods, the diet can help decrease the frequency and size of bowel movements, giving your digestive tract a chance to rest and heal. This is particularly helpful for managing symptoms such as abdominal cramping, bloating, and diarrhea. While many associate dietary fiber with good health, it's not always the best choice for everyone, especially in times of acute digestive distress.

It is important to understand that a low-fiber diet is typically a short-term solution and not a long-term nutritional strategy. If a healthcare professional recommends this diet, it is usually for a specific period, after which fiber is reintroduced slowly into the diet. Adhering to the specific guidelines, which often limit daily fiber intake to between 10 and 15 grams, is essential. Reading nutrition labels to check for added fiber, even in seemingly safe foods like yogurt or cereal, is also a critical step.

Medical Reasons for a Low-Fiber Diet

Healthcare providers recommend a low-fiber diet for a variety of conditions and procedures. The goal is to minimize irritation and reduce the workload on the digestive system.

Conditions That May Require a Low-Fiber Diet

Diverticulitis: During a flare-up of this condition, where small pouches in the colon wall become inflamed or infected, a low-fiber diet helps rest the colon.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause intestinal inflammation, and a low-fiber, low-residue diet may alleviate symptoms during an active flare-up.
Bowel Obstruction or Narrowing: For individuals with a blockage or a narrowed part of the intestines, a low-fiber diet can prevent food from getting stuck and causing complications.
Post-Surgery: Following certain types of intestinal or abdominal surgery, this diet is often prescribed temporarily to aid in the healing process.
Radiation Therapy: When radiation targets areas near the bowels, a low-fiber diet can help manage digestive side effects.

What Foods Are Low in Fiber?

To help you plan your meals, here is a comprehensive breakdown of foods that are typically low in fiber and easy to digest. Always ensure fruits and vegetables are peeled and cooked, and grains are refined.

Grains and Carbohydrates

White bread, rolls, bagels, and crackers made from refined white flour.
White rice, refined pasta, and noodles.
Cooked cereals, such as cream of rice or cream of wheat, and certain cold cereals like corn flakes or puffed rice.
Peeled, cooked potatoes.

Fruits

Pulp-free fruit juices, such as apple, cranberry, or grape juice.
Canned or cooked fruits without skin or seeds, like applesauce, canned peaches, or pears.
Soft, ripe raw fruits like bananas, melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon), peeled apples or pears.

Vegetables

Well-cooked, canned, or peeled vegetables without seeds or skins, including carrots, green beans, asparagus tips, and yellow squash.
Strained vegetable juice.

Protein

Tender, well-cooked, and lean meat, fish, and poultry.
Eggs and tofu.
Smooth nut butters, such as creamy peanut butter.

Dairy and Fats

Milk, cheese, yogurt, and cottage cheese, as long as they are plain and tolerated (lactose-free options are available).
Butter, margarine, oils, mayonnaise, and smooth gravies.

Low-Fiber vs. High-Fiber Foods Comparison


Food Category	Low-Fiber Options	High-Fiber Options (Avoid)
Grains	White bread, white rice, refined pasta	Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, whole-grain pasta, popcorn
Fruits	Ripe bananas, applesauce, melons, pulp-free juice	Berries, dried fruits, fruits with skin/seeds, fruit juice with pulp
Vegetables	Cooked, peeled carrots, green beans, potatoes	Raw vegetables, broccoli, corn, peas, potato skins
Protein	Lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, smooth nut butter	Beans, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds, chunky peanut butter

Practical Tips for Following a Low-Fiber Diet

When a low-fiber diet is necessary, proper food preparation and management can significantly help ease symptoms.

Chew thoroughly: Chewing food well aids digestion and reduces the burden on your intestinal tract.
Cook foods until tender: Boiling, stewing, steaming, or braising vegetables makes them easier to digest.
Remove skins and seeds: Always peel vegetables and fruits and remove any seeds to minimize residue.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, is essential to prevent constipation that can result from a low-fiber intake.
Eat small, frequent meals: Opting for several smaller meals throughout the day can be easier on the digestive system than three large ones.
Listen to your body: Certain approved low-fiber foods might still cause discomfort. Keep a food journal to identify and avoid any personal triggers.

Risks and Considerations

While a low-fiber diet can be medically necessary for a short duration, it is not without risks if followed long-term without professional guidance. Over time, it can lead to constipation, hemorrhoids, and other digestive issues. Without the beneficial properties of fiber, there can also be a lack of fuel for healthy gut bacteria, impacting overall gut health. In some cases, a low-fiber diet can also be less filling, potentially leading to weight gain. Therefore, it is important to work closely with a healthcare provider or dietitian to determine the right time to reintroduce fiber back into your diet safely.

For more information on dietary fiber and general nutrition, consult reliable resources like the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.

Conclusion

A diet consisting of what foods are low in fiber is a temporary and highly specific nutritional plan, typically used for managing certain medical conditions or preparing for medical procedures. By focusing on refined grains, cooked and peeled fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and specific dairy products, you can reduce digestive residue and provide your gut with a much-needed rest. Always consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before starting a low-fiber diet to ensure it is appropriate for your situation and to plan the gradual reintroduction of fiber when the time is right.

Frequently Asked Questions

A low-fiber diet focuses specifically on reducing dietary fiber. A low-residue diet, however, is often more restrictive, also limiting other foods like dairy that produce residue during digestion. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but a low-fiber diet is generally less restrictive.

A low-fiber diet is often prescribed to give the digestive system a rest. This can be necessary for conditions like diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or to prepare for a colonoscopy or certain intestinal surgeries.

Yes, certain fruits are allowed, particularly ripe, soft fruits like bananas and melons, as well as canned or cooked fruits without skins or seeds (like applesauce). Pulp-free fruit juices are also a good option.

You can have well-cooked or canned vegetables that have been peeled and have no seeds. Examples include carrots, green beans, and potatoes without the skin.

Plain dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and cottage cheese are generally permitted, provided you are not lactose intolerant. Avoid any dairy with added fruits, nuts, or granola.

No, a low-fiber diet is not intended for long-term use unless specifically advised by a healthcare provider. Long-term use can lead to issues like constipation and may affect gut microbiome health.

When cleared by your doctor, you should reintroduce fiber slowly and gradually over a few weeks. Monitor your body's reaction and increase intake incrementally to avoid gas, bloating, or cramping.

When on a low-fiber diet, look for foods with less than 2 grams of dietary fiber per serving. Always check the serving size, as consuming more than one serving will increase your total fiber intake.