What is an example of a low fiber meal plan?

December 17, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Mayo Clinic, a low-fiber diet limits the types of vegetables, fruits, and grains you can eat to help rest your bowels. A prime example of a low fiber meal plan focuses on refined grains, peeled fruits, and well-cooked vegetables to ease digestion and reduce the amount of stool your body produces.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a detailed example of a low fiber meal plan, outlines food choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and lists items to avoid. It covers appropriate foods for managing digestive issues or preparing for procedures like a colonoscopy.

Key Points

Refined Grains: A low fiber meal plan includes refined starches like white bread, white rice, and plain pasta, rather than whole grains.
Peeled and Cooked Produce: Fruits and vegetables should be well-cooked, peeled, and seeded to minimize fiber content and ease digestion.
Tender Proteins: Lean, tender meats, poultry, and fish, along with eggs and tofu, are good sources of protein on a low-fiber diet.
Hydration is Key: Drinking plenty of fluids is essential on a low-fiber diet to prevent constipation, as fiber intake is reduced.
Short-Term Use Only: This diet is typically a temporary solution for conditions like IBD flare-ups or colonoscopy prep, and should be supervised by a healthcare professional.
Avoid High-Fiber Foods: Foods to avoid include nuts, seeds, legumes, and most raw fruits and vegetables, which can irritate the digestive tract.

A low fiber meal plan is a short-term dietary strategy often recommended for individuals with specific gastrointestinal conditions or those preparing for medical procedures. By focusing on easily digestible foods with minimal roughage, this diet reduces the amount of undigested material moving through the bowels, helping to alleviate symptoms such as cramping, diarrhea, and pain. Before starting this or any new dietary regimen, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to ensure it is appropriate for your specific health needs.

A Sample Low Fiber Meal Plan

This is a potential one-day example of a low fiber meal plan, focusing on refined carbohydrates, tender proteins, and cooked, skinless produce. The total daily fiber intake on a low-fiber diet should generally be limited to 10–15 grams.

Breakfast

Scrambled eggs: Cooked with a small amount of oil or butter.
White toast: One or two slices of white bread with a thin spread of smooth peanut butter or jelly.
Clear juice: A glass of apple or grape juice without pulp.

Lunch

Turkey and cheese sandwich: Served on soft white bread with mayonnaise.
Canned peaches: A small serving of canned peaches packed in juice.
Plain crackers: A few saltine or plain crackers.

Dinner

Baked chicken breast: Skinless and boneless, well-cooked.
White rice: A side of plain white rice.
Cooked carrots: Peeled and well-cooked carrots.
Applesauce: For dessert, a small dish of unsweetened applesauce.

Snacks

Banana: A ripe, peeled banana.
Vanilla yogurt: Plain vanilla yogurt without fruit pieces.
Plain pretzels: A small handful.

How to Select Low Fiber Foods

When following a low fiber meal plan, meticulous food selection and preparation are key. The goal is to minimize the amount of tough, indigestible plant material that can irritate the gut. Many common foods can be adapted to fit this dietary restriction with a few simple modifications.

Choose refined grains: Opt for products made with white flour, such as white bread, white pasta, and white rice. Avoid whole-grain varieties, which retain the fiber-rich bran layer.
Peeled and cooked produce: Eat fruits and vegetables that have been peeled, seeded, and cooked until tender. Canned fruits and vegetables, like peaches or carrots, are often good choices as the processing removes most of the fiber.
Tender proteins: Select tender, well-cooked meats, fish, and poultry. Eggs, tofu, and smooth nut butters are also suitable protein sources.
Avoid trigger foods: High-fiber items to steer clear of include nuts, seeds, raw vegetables, legumes, and dried fruits. These can be difficult to digest and increase stool bulk.

Low Fiber vs. High Fiber: A Comparison


Feature	Low Fiber Diet	High Fiber Diet
Primary Goal	To reduce stool bulk and rest the digestive system.	To increase stool bulk and promote digestive regularity.
Key Food Types	Refined grains, cooked and peeled fruits/vegetables, tender proteins.	Whole grains, raw produce with skin, legumes, nuts, seeds.
Common Uses	Preparing for colonoscopy, managing flare-ups of IBD or diverticulitis, post-bowel surgery.	Preventing constipation, promoting heart health, managing blood sugar.
Duration	Typically temporary, under a doctor's supervision.	Long-term dietary strategy for general health.
Example Foods	White bread, white rice, applesauce, scrambled eggs.	Brown rice, whole-wheat bread, raw vegetables, beans.

Reintroducing Fiber After the Meal Plan

Once a healthcare provider advises it is safe, gradually reintroducing fiber is important for long-term digestive health. A slow, methodical approach is recommended to avoid shocking the digestive system and causing a return of symptoms. Here is a step-by-step guide for reintroducing fiber:

Start with small amounts: Begin by adding just one small serving of a fibrous food per day, such as a boiled potato with the skin.
Monitor your tolerance: Keep a food diary to track which foods you tolerate well and which may cause discomfort.
Choose less-irritable fibers first: Reintroduce easily digested fiber sources before moving on to more challenging ones. Good starting options include ripe, peeled fruits like bananas and melons, or well-cooked vegetables like carrots and green beans.
Gradually increase variety: As your tolerance improves, slowly add a wider range of foods, such as raw fruits without skins (peeled apples) and eventually whole grains and legumes.
Stay hydrated: Continue to drink plenty of fluids to help your digestive system handle the increased fiber intake.

Conclusion

A low fiber meal plan, often a temporary measure, is designed to reduce the workload on the digestive system by limiting the intake of tough, indigestible fibers. By following a plan that focuses on refined grains, tender proteins, and cooked, peeled produce, individuals can manage symptoms of certain gastrointestinal conditions or prepare for medical procedures like a colonoscopy. While effective for specific situations, it is crucial to follow the guidance of a healthcare professional and gradually reintroduce fiber when symptoms improve to ensure a balanced and healthy long-term diet.

For more detailed dietary information, including a food list to choose from and foods to avoid, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center provides a comprehensive guide to a low-fiber diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

A low fiber diet is used to reduce the amount of undigested food that passes through the body, which helps to rest the intestines and reduce symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, and pain.

This diet is often recommended for individuals with gastrointestinal conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis, especially during a flare-up. It is also used to prepare for medical procedures like a colonoscopy or after certain types of bowel surgery.

Yes, many dairy products are allowed, such as milk, yogurt without fruit or granola, and cheese. However, if you are lactose intolerant, it's best to choose lactose-free options to avoid aggravating symptoms.

The duration of a low fiber diet depends on the specific medical reason. It is typically a short-term plan, and a healthcare professional will advise when and how to gradually reintroduce fiber as symptoms improve.

No, raw vegetables should be avoided as they contain high amounts of indigestible fiber. Vegetables must be well-cooked and peeled, and any seeds should be removed.

For breakfast, options include scrambled or boiled eggs, refined cereals like cream of wheat or corn flakes, and white toast with smooth nut butter or clear jelly.

While on this diet, it is important to include a variety of approved foods from different food groups. Focus on tender proteins, peeled and cooked produce, and dairy (if tolerated). A healthcare provider may also recommend supplements if the diet is followed for an extended period.