November 22, 2024 Michelle Schmanski

Low Fiber Diet: When Does It Make Sense?

Most people are well aware of how important fiber is for a healthy digestive system. Eating enough fiber is one of the best ways to maintain bowel regularity and keep your gut bacteria healthy and happy. However, in certain situations, a low-fiber diet may be beneficial. It may help manage symptoms like:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping
• Pain
• Gas
• Bloating

This diet makes sense for some people and for others, it’s not the best idea. Read on to learn more about when a low-fiber diet is the better option.

What is a Low Fiber Diet?

Some people follow a low-fiber diet, also called a low-residue diet, to help rest their GI tract and reduce irritation. This diet focuses on limiting or completely avoiding dietary fiber. It may help improve bothersome symptoms such as diarrhea, gas, and bloating.

When Does a Low-Fiber Diet Make Sense?

This diet isn’t for everyone and should always be discussed with your doctor before adopting it. Some GI conditions that this diet may help include:

• Diverticulitis: Diverticulitis is when small pouches in the intestinal wall become inflamed or infected. A low-fiber diet can help reduce irritation within the colon and allow the digestive tract to rest during a flare-up.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic conditions that cause inflammation and irritation in the GI tract. A low-fiber diet can be used during flare-ups to reduce the frequency of bowel movements and relieve abdominal discomfort.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS, specifically IBS with diarrhea, can cause frequent bowel movements, abdominal pain, and bloating. Following a low-fiber diet and avoiding other triggering foods (like dairy) can help reduce the frequency and severity of diarrhea episodes.

Foods to Avoid on a Low Fiber Diet

Following this diet can be challenging because fiber is found in most foods we usually eat to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet. Foods that should be avoided when following a low-fiber diet include:

• Fruits and vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, Brussels sprouts, raspberries, apples, and bananas.
• Nuts (including chunky peanut butter), seeds, coconut, and dried fruit.
• Whole grains, popcorn, bran, and wheat germ.
• Beans, peas, and lentils.

Foods to Eat on a Low Fiber Diet

This diet may seem extremely restrictive, but there are many foods you can choose from that will leave you feeling satisfied. Those foods include:

• Meats like beef, pork, lamb, skinless poultry, and fish.
• Eggs and tofu
• Creamy peanut butter
• White rice and pastas
• Dairy products (only if tolerated)
• Baked goods made with refined wheat or rye flour
• Some cereals that contain less than 2 grams of dietary fiber in a serving
• Plain tomato sauce
• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Butter, margarine, and oils without seeds

When to See Your Doctor

This type of diet is usually meant to be a temporary solution to help manage flare-ups in chronic GI conditions. This is because following this diet long term can lead to nutritional deficiency and further digestive issues. The first step in deciding to start a low-fiber diet is to get an official diagnosis of what’s causing your GI issues. From there, you and your doctor can partner to decide if this type of diet makes sense for you.

If you are considering a low-fiber diet to help with your GI symptoms, don’t delay –schedule an appointment today!

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Related:

• The Best Diet for Diverticulitis
• GI Symptoms: Early Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
• Stomach Pain and Diarrhea: When to See a Doctor