What are low fiber fruits?: A Guide for Your Nutrition Diet

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Cancer Society, a low-fiber diet can be beneficial for those with certain medical problems, or before specific treatments and surgeries, to give the bowels a rest. This guide will explore what are low fiber fruits, providing clear examples and preparation methods for a specialized nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

This guide details low-fiber fruit options, outlining which fruits and preparation methods are suitable for digestive rest or pre-procedure diets. It provides examples of soft, peeled, and canned fruits to help manage gastrointestinal symptoms and support a temporary fiber-restricted diet.

Key Points

Selection: Choose ripe, soft, peeled, and seedless fruits for a low-fiber diet.
Preparation: Cooking and canning are effective methods to reduce a fruit's fiber content significantly.
Juices: Opt for pulp-free fruit juices over whole fruits with skin or pulp to minimize fiber intake.
Timing: A low-fiber diet is typically a temporary measure prescribed for specific medical conditions or before procedures.
Monitoring: Always follow medical guidance when on a low-fiber diet to avoid potential issues like constipation or nutrient deficiencies.

Understanding a Low-Fiber Approach

A low-fiber diet is an eating plan that reduces the amount of undigested food, or residue, that passes through the body. This is often recommended temporarily by healthcare providers to alleviate symptoms of certain gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), diverticulitis flare-ups, or to prepare for medical procedures like a colonoscopy. By consuming low-fiber fruits, you can help reduce the frequency and volume of bowel movements, giving your digestive system a break. A key aspect of this diet is focusing on fruits that are soft, peeled, and have had seeds and membranes removed, as these components are typically high in fiber.

What Makes a Fruit Low in Fiber?

Fiber is the indigestible part of plant-based foods, and certain preparation methods can significantly reduce a fruit's fiber content. For a fruit to be considered low-fiber in this context, it generally needs to be processed to remove the fibrous parts, such as the skin, seeds, and pulp. Raw fruits with tough skin or seeds are high in fiber, which can irritate a sensitive digestive tract. The goal is to make the fruit as smooth and easy to pass as possible. This is why canned fruits, applesauce, and pulp-free juices are frequently included in low-fiber diet plans.

Examples of Low-Fiber Fruits

Ripe Raw Fruits

Ripe Bananas: A key staple of many low-fiber diets due to their soft texture and ease of digestion.
Cantaloupe: This soft melon is a good choice, provided the seeds are removed.
Honeydew Melon: Similar to cantaloupe, honeydew is easily digestible and low in fiber.
Watermelon: Seedless watermelon is a hydrating and low-fiber fruit option.
Peeled Peaches and Plums: When ripe and peeled, these stone fruits are soft and low in fiber.

Cooked and Canned Fruits

Applesauce (No Skin): A classic low-fiber option, as the cooking and pureeing process removes the skin and softens the fruit.
Canned Peaches and Pears: Canned in their own juice or light syrup (avoiding heavy syrup) and drained, these are excellent low-fiber choices.
Cooked, Peeled Apples: Cooking apples until tender breaks down the fiber and makes them easier to digest.

Fruit Juices

Pulp-Free Fruit Juices: Juices without any added pulp or bits are a simple way to incorporate fruit flavor while minimizing fiber intake.

How to Prepare Fruits for a Low-Fiber Diet

Preparing fruits correctly is crucial for maximizing digestive comfort. Here are the most effective methods:

Peel all skin: The skin of many fruits, even soft ones, contains concentrated fiber. Always peel fruits like apples, peaches, and pears.
Remove all seeds and membranes: The seeds of berries, grapes, and the membranes of citrus fruits must be discarded.
Cook or stew until tender: For firmer fruits like apples, cooking them until they are very soft breaks down the fiber, making them easier to digest.
Choose canned fruits in juice: When opting for canned fruit, select those packed in their own juice rather than heavy syrup. Drain and rinse if desired.
Select pulp-free juices: Filtered juices that are free of pulp are the best option for a low-fiber diet.

Comparison of High-Fiber vs. Low-Fiber Fruit Preparations


Fruit & Preparation	Typical Fiber Content (approx.)	Fiber Status	Notes
Apple with Skin	4.8g per medium fruit	High Fiber	The skin contains a significant amount of fiber.
Applesauce (no skin)	2.0g per ½ cup	Low Fiber	Cooking and removing the skin greatly reduces fiber.
Raspberries (raw)	8.0g per cup	High Fiber	Contains many seeds, which are high in fiber.
Cantaloupe (cubes)	1.3g per cup	Low Fiber	Naturally soft and seedless when prepared properly.
Pear with Skin	5.5g per medium fruit	High Fiber	The skin contributes most of the fiber content.
Canned Pears (peeled)	~1g per ½ cup	Low Fiber	Softened and peeled during the canning process.

Considerations for a Low-Fiber Diet

While a low-fiber diet can be very effective for managing certain digestive issues, it is typically a temporary measure. Prolonged use without medical supervision can lead to potential health risks, such as constipation and a lack of essential micronutrients that come from whole, fibrous foods. It's crucial to follow a doctor's guidance and stay hydrated, as drinking plenty of water is essential to prevent constipation when fiber intake is low. The gradual reintroduction of high-fiber foods should also be done under medical advice once symptoms have subsided.

Conclusion

For those needing to follow a specialized nutrition diet for gastrointestinal reasons, understanding what are low fiber fruits is essential. By focusing on ripe, soft fruits, and preparing them by peeling, cooking, or opting for pulp-free juices, you can help soothe the digestive system and reduce unwanted symptoms. Remember that this diet is usually a temporary solution to manage specific conditions or prepare for procedures. Always consult with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to ensure your nutritional needs are met and to safely reintroduce higher-fiber foods when appropriate. For more information on managing low-fiber intake, reliable sources like the Mayo Clinic can provide valuable guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ripe bananas, cantaloupe, and honeydew are often allowed, along with peeled peaches and plums. Any raw fruit must be ripe and free of skin and seeds.

Yes, but it must be pulp-free. Juices with pulp or seeds are typically avoided to reduce fiber intake, as the pulp contains fiber.

You can cook, stew, or can fruits to soften them and make them easier to digest. Always peel the skin and remove any seeds or membranes.

Yes, plain applesauce is a good choice for a low-fiber diet, as it consists of cooked, peeled, and pureed apples, with the fiber-rich skin removed.

Healthcare providers might recommend it for conditions like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis, or to prepare for a colonoscopy or surgery.

No, dried fruits like prunes, raisins, and figs are concentrated sources of fiber and should be avoided on a low-fiber diet.

A low-fiber diet is generally a temporary measure. Long-term use should only be under medical supervision, as it can lead to constipation and nutrient deficiencies.