What Can You Eat on a Non-Fibre Diet? The Complete Low-Residue Guide

November 27, 2025 •

3 min read

Medical professionals often recommend a non-fibre diet, also known as a low-residue diet, to give the digestive system a rest during acute conditions like inflammatory bowel disease flare-ups or prior to a colonoscopy. This eating plan focuses on foods that are easily digested, leaving minimal undigested material, or "residue," in the bowels.

Quick Summary

This article outlines the food groups and specific items permitted on a non-fibre diet, including refined grains, cooked and peeled fruits and vegetables, and tender proteins. It details foods to avoid, explains the diet's purpose for medical management, and emphasizes the need for professional guidance.

Key Points

Refined Carbohydrates: Stick to white bread, white rice, and refined pasta to reduce fibre intake.
Peeled Fruits and Veggies: Eat fruits and vegetables that have been peeled, cooked, and are free of seeds to make them easier to digest.
Tender Protein Sources: Choose lean, tender meats, fish, eggs, and smooth nut butters over tougher cuts, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Dairy in Moderation: Consume plain dairy products like milk, cheese, and smooth yogurt, if tolerated, but limit intake on a low-residue diet.
Short-Term Solution: A non-fibre diet is typically for temporary symptom management and should be followed under medical supervision.
Avoid Whole Grains and Legumes: Steer clear of all whole grains, beans, and lentils, which are high in fibre.

What is a Non-Fibre Diet?

A non-fibre, or low-residue, diet is a temporary eating plan designed to reduce the frequency and volume of your bowel movements. The 'residue' is the undigested food material that passes through the large intestine, much of which is dietary fibre. By limiting fibre and other difficult-to-digest foods, the diet minimizes the workload on the digestive system and helps manage symptoms like diarrhoea, bloating, and abdominal pain.

This diet is typically prescribed for a short period to manage specific medical conditions or as preparation for a procedure. Common reasons include inflammatory bowel disease flare-ups, diverticulitis, bowel obstruction, pre-colonoscopy preparation, and post-surgery recovery.

Foods to Include on a Non-Fibre Diet

Following a non-fibre diet requires focusing on refined, well-cooked, and low-residue options. The key is to avoid skins, seeds, and tougher fibrous parts of food. Here is a breakdown of what you can eat:

Grains

Allowed grains include white bread, plain white pasta and noodles, white rice, refined cereals like Cornflakes, and plain crackers such as saltines.

Fruits

You can eat well-ripened, raw fruits like bananas and melons, or peeled and cooked fruits such as applesauce, canned peaches, and pears. Pulp-free fruit juices are also permitted.

Vegetables

Peeled and well-cooked vegetables like carrots, potatoes without skin, asparagus tips, and green beans are suitable. Canned vegetables and strained vegetable juices are also options.

Proteins

Tender, cooked meats such as lean beef, lamb, pork, and poultry (without skin) are allowed, as is tender fish. Eggs, tofu, and smooth nut butters without crunchy pieces are also included.

Dairy (if tolerated)

Dairy options include milk, non-dairy alternatives, cheese, smooth yogurt without fruit or seeds, ice cream, and plain pudding.

Comparison: Foods to Include vs. Foods to Avoid

The following table highlights the differences between permitted low-residue foods and high-fibre foods to avoid on a non-fibre diet.


Food Category	Foods to Include (Low-Residue)	Foods to Avoid (High-Fibre)
Grains	White bread, refined pasta, white rice, Cornflakes	Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, whole-grain pasta, oatmeal, granola
Fruits	Ripe banana, peeled peaches, applesauce, melons, clear juices	Berries, dried fruit, pineapple, raw unpeeled fruits, juices with pulp
Vegetables	Cooked and peeled carrots, potatoes (no skin), green beans, tomato puree	Raw vegetables, corn, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, potatoes with skin
Proteins	Tender meats, fish, eggs, tofu, smooth nut butter	Tough or gristly meats, beans, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, seeds
Fats/Sauces	Butter, oils, mayonnaise, smooth gravies, smooth sauces	Chunky sauces, relishes, pickles, mustard with seeds
Snacks/Sweets	Plain cakes/cookies, clear jelly, smooth yogurt, ice cream	Popcorn, coconut, nuts, seeds, dried fruit

Sample Non-Fibre Meal Plan

A sample day on this diet could include Cornflakes with milk and a banana for breakfast, a turkey sandwich on white bread with canned peaches for lunch, and baked fish with mashed potatoes and cooked carrots for dinner. Snacks might include plain crackers with smooth peanut butter, yogurt, or applesauce.

This diet is restrictive and for short-term use. Extended use may require supplements and should be guided by a healthcare professional.

Conclusion

A non-fibre diet is a temporary plan to ease digestive symptoms by reducing residue in the bowels. It focuses on easily digestible foods. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting this diet and for guidance on reintroducing fibre. For more authoritative information, refer to resources like the Mayo Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

The terms are often used interchangeably, but a low-residue diet is typically more restrictive. It limits not only fibre but also other foods like dairy that increase stool volume, which is why it's sometimes used for specific medical preparations.

Yes, white rice is a staple of a non-fibre diet. Unlike brown or wild rice, which contain fibre, white rice is a refined grain that is easy to digest.

Ripe bananas are generally permitted on a non-fibre diet because they have a lower fibre content and are easy to digest. Unripe bananas can contain more resistant starch, so opting for very ripe ones is recommended.

To ensure adequate nutrition, focus on eating a variety of the allowed foods across different food groups. For long-term use, your doctor or dietitian may recommend a multivitamin and mineral supplement to prevent deficiencies.

No, a non-fibre diet is a medical diet, not intended for weight loss. Following it long-term without medical necessity can be harmful and may lead to nutritional deficiencies.

You can have well-cooked, peeled vegetables without seeds. Examples include cooked carrots, peeled potatoes, and canned green beans. Most raw vegetables should be avoided.

Cooking methods that keep foods tender and moist are best. Good options include simmering, poaching, stewing, steaming, and braising. Avoid frying foods, as excessive fat can also cause digestive discomfort.