What Fruit Can I Eat on a Low-Fibre Diet?

December 14, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Cancer Society, a low-fiber diet can be beneficial for managing certain medical conditions or preparing for medical procedures. If you need to restrict your fiber intake, you may wonder what fruit can I eat on a low-fibre diet without triggering symptoms. You have several delicious options, especially if prepared properly by removing skins and seeds.

Quick Summary

A low-fibre diet requires careful fruit selection. Focus on ripe, peeled, and cooked fruits, as well as pulp-free juices. Proper preparation, such as removing skins and seeds, is key to minimizing fiber content and ensuring easy digestion. Canned and soft fruits are often excellent choices for this dietary regimen.

Key Points

Choose Prepared Fruits: Focus on ripe, peeled, cooked, or canned fruits to minimize fibre content for easier digestion.
Remove Skins and Seeds: The most fibrous parts of fruit are the skin and seeds, so remove them completely from fresh fruit to make it low-fibre.
Opt for Ripe Bananas: Ripe bananas are an excellent, soft, and low-fibre fruit that is also rich in potassium.
Select Smooth Options: Applesauce, pulp-free fruit juices, and fruit purees are safe and easy-to-digest choices.
Canned Fruit Can Be a Good Choice: Pears, peaches, and mandarins canned in light syrup or juice are viable low-fibre options.
Consult a Professional: Always talk to a doctor or dietitian before starting a low-fibre diet, as it is often a temporary measure.

Understanding the Low-Fibre Diet and Fruit

A low-fibre, or low-residue, diet is designed to reduce the amount of undigested food in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which in turn decreases stool bulk. This diet is often prescribed temporarily for specific health conditions, such as during a flare-up of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or before a medical procedure like a colonoscopy. While many raw fruits are high in fiber, several types can be included in a low-fibre diet with the right preparation.

The key to incorporating fruit is to remove the most fibrous parts, primarily the skins and seeds. Cooking or canning fruit also breaks down the fiber, making it easier for your digestive system to process. The goal is to provide your body with essential vitamins and minerals from fruit without the added bulk that fiber can create.

Best Low-Fibre Fruit Choices

Here is a list of low-fibre fruits, along with simple preparation methods to make them even easier to digest:

Bananas: Ripe bananas are an excellent, soft, and low-fibre choice. Their high potassium content is an added bonus.
Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melon: These juicy, soft melons can be eaten fresh. Just ensure you remove all seeds.
Peeled Peaches and Pears: When you remove the skin from peaches and pears, they become suitable for a low-fibre diet. Canned peaches and pears in juice or light syrup are also good options.
Applesauce: This is a perfect low-fibre fruit product, as the apples are cooked and the skin is removed. Always choose smooth, pulp-free versions.
Canned Fruits: Canned varieties of fruit, such as mandarins, lychees, and fruit cocktail, are often excellent choices, provided they are canned in their own juice or light syrup and don't contain seeds.
Peeled Nectarines and Plums: The skins on these fruits are easily removed after a quick blanch in hot water, making the pulp a soft, low-fibre treat.
Fruit Juices: Clear, pulp-free fruit juices are a good way to get fruit vitamins without any fiber. Avoid juices with added pulp.

Comparison of Fruit Preparation Methods for a Low-Fibre Diet


Feature	Fresh (Prepared)	Cooked (Stewed/Baked)	Canned (in light syrup)	Smooth Juice (Pulp-free)
Preparation	Peel and remove all seeds/membranes.	Cook until soft, then strain and mash.	Open and drain, or use canned in juice.	Purchase or strain at home.
Texture	Soft and ripe, but still retains some structure.	Very soft, mushy, or pureed consistency.	Very soft, often retains shape but is tender.	Liquid, no texture.
Fibre Content	Reduced (skin removed).	Significantly reduced (cooked).	Low (processed).	Negligible (strained).
Nutrient Density	High, but some loss when cooked.	Good, but heat can reduce some vitamins.	Lower due to canning process.	Lower, but still provides some vitamins.
Common Use	Snacking, adding to yogurt.	Desserts, sides with meals, oatmeal.	Snacking, easy-to-pack side.	Hydration, quick vitamin intake.

How to Safely Incorporate Fruit into Your Diet

Starting a low-fibre diet often feels restrictive, but with some creativity, you can still enjoy flavorful, nutrient-rich fruit. Small, frequent meals are often recommended, so spreading your fruit intake throughout the day is a good strategy. Pay attention to your body's response, as some low-fibre fruits might still cause irritation depending on your specific condition. Start with small portions of new fruits to test your tolerance.

For example, to make a simple, low-fibre breakfast, you could have smooth applesauce with a side of plain white toast. A midday snack could be a ripe, peeled banana, and for dessert, a bowl of canned peaches. For hydration, a glass of pulp-free grape juice can be a good choice.

Easy Low-Fibre Fruit Recipes

Smooth Fruit Puree: Blend ripe, peeled, and seeded fruit like mango or papaya with a splash of clear fruit juice until completely smooth. A blender ensures all fibrous parts are broken down, making it very gentle on the GI tract.
Stewed Pears: Core and peel pears, then simmer them in a small amount of water with a little sugar or cinnamon until very tender. This can be a soothing, warm dessert.
Icy Cantaloupe: Cube a ripe, seeded cantaloupe and freeze the pieces. Blend with a little cooled sugar syrup for a refreshing, icy treat.

Remember to speak with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet, especially if it is for a specific medical reason. A low-fibre diet is often temporary, and they can guide you on how and when to reintroduce fibre back into your eating plan. Gradually adding fiber back can be beneficial for restoring a healthy gut microbiome.

Conclusion

Following a low-fibre diet doesn't mean you have to give up fruit entirely. By choosing the right types and preparing them correctly—primarily by removing skins and seeds, or opting for cooked and canned versions—you can still enjoy fruit while managing your digestive health. Ripe bananas, melons, and peeled peaches or pears are excellent choices. Combining these fruits with other low-residue foods and staying well-hydrated is key to making this dietary change successful and comfortable. Always consult with a healthcare professional to ensure this dietary approach is appropriate for your specific health needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some fresh fruits can be eaten, but they must be very ripe and prepared properly by peeling and removing all seeds. Safe examples include ripe bananas, peeled apples, and melons like cantaloupe and honeydew.

Yes, many canned fruits, such as peaches, pears, and mandarins, are excellent low-fibre options because the canning process softens the fruit and breaks down much of its fibre. Choose varieties canned in juice or light syrup, not heavy syrup.

The skins and seeds of fruits are the most concentrated source of insoluble fibre, which can irritate a sensitive digestive system. Removing them reduces stool bulk and eases discomfort associated with conditions like IBD or diverticulitis.

Yes, smooth applesauce is an ideal fruit choice for a low-fibre diet. It is made from cooked apples with the skin removed, making it very easy to digest.

You should drink clear, pulp-free fruit juices. Straining juices yourself or buying store-bought varieties clearly labeled 'pulp-free' ensures you avoid any fibrous material.

A low-fibre diet is typically a temporary measure prescribed by a healthcare provider for a specific medical purpose, such as preparing for a procedure or managing a flare-up of a digestive condition. It is important to reintroduce fibre gradually as advised by your doctor.

No, berries like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries are generally avoided on a low-fibre diet because their small seeds can be irritating to the digestive tract.