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Believe in Better Health Toolkit

Fiber-Restricted Diet

 

Purpose

This diet is designed to avoid irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and to decrease bowel movements. It should be used by people who are experiencing periods of diarrhea and abdominal cramping. The fiber restricted diet is also appropriate after surgery and should always be used on a temporary basis.


Helpful Hints

  • Buy breads and cereals made from refined wheat and rice. Avoid whole-grain products with added bran.

  • Remove skin from vegetables and fruits before cooking

  • Marinate meats in juice or wine for added flavor

  • Season with spices and herbs for added flavor and variety

  • Avoid any food made with seeds, nuts, and raw or dried fruit

  • Limit milk and milk products to 2 cups per day

  • Dietary fiber is reduced by using pureed or tender cooked vegetables, ripe, canned or cooked fruits without skin or seeds, and well-cooked tender meats.
Food Recommendations

 

Food Recommendations

Food Category

Recommended

May Not Be Tolerated

Milk and milk products

Milk as tolerated, *plain or flavored yogurt, pudding, cheese

Yogurt containing seeds or fruit peels, seeded cheeses, pudding with nuts

Breads

Refined breads, rolls, biscuits, muffins, crackers; pancakes, or waffles; plain pastries

Any made with whole-grain
flour, cracked wheat, bran,
seeds, nuts, coconut, or raw
or dried fruits; cornbread;
graham crackers

Cereals

Refined cooked cereals including quick-cooking oatmeal, grits, and farina; refined cold cereals, such as
puffed rice, puffed wheat, cornflakes

Oatmeal; any whole-grain,
bran, or granola cereal; any
containing seeds, nuts,
coconut, or dried fruit

Desserts and sweets

Plain cakes and cookies made with all-purpose flour, pie made with allowed fruits; plain sherbet, fruit ice, frozen pops, gelatin, and custard; jelly, plain hard candy and marshmallows; ice cream as tolerated,
*molasses, sugar, and syrup

Any made with whole-grain
flour, bran, seeds, nuts,
coconut, or dried fruit; jam
and marmalade

Fats

Margarine, butter, salad oils and dressings, mayonnaise; bacon;
plain gravies

 

Fruits

 Most canned or cooked fruits, *applesauce, *fruit cocktail, *ripe banana, *melons, peeled apples, orange/grapefruit sections with membranes removed; strained fruit juice/ fruit drinks; refined breads, rolls, biscuits, muffins, crackers; pancakes, or waffles; plain pastries Dried fruit; all berries; raw fruits with membranes and seeds, kiwi, grapes; any juice containing fruit or vegetable pulp; *prune juice

Meats and meat substitutes

 Ground or well-cooked, tender beef, lamb, ham, veal, pork, poultry, fish, organ meats; eggs; creamy peanut butter Any made with whole-grain ingredients, seeds or nuts; dried beans, peas, lentils, legumes; chunky peanut butter

Potato and potato substitutes

 Cooked white and sweet potatoes without skin; white rice; refined pasta All others

Soups

 Bouillon, broth, or cream *soups made with allowed vegetables, noodles, rice, or flour All others

Vegetables

 Most well-cooked and canned vegetables without seeds, *except those excluded; lettuce if tolerated; strained vegetable juice Sauerkraut, winter squash, peas and corn; most raw vegetables and vegetables with seeds

Miscellaneous

 Salt, pepper as tolerated, sugar, spices, herbs, vinegar, ketchup, mustard, coffee/tea as tolerated, carbonated beverages Nuts, coconut, seeds, and popcorn; pickles

Beverages

 Clear fruit juices (eg: apple, cranberry, or grape); low-pulp or pulp-free juices (eg: orange, lemonade, or grapefruit) All others including nectars, milk, cream, fruit juices with pulp, cocoa, prune juice, tomato and vegetable juices
 

* These foods are low in fiber but may increase colonic residue; assess food tolerance and limit as needed.

Note: Residue may be further reduced by excluding all fruits and vegetables, with the exception of strained juices and white potatoes without skin

  

 

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Source: Adapted from the American Dietetics Association’s Manual of Clinical Dietetics, 6th ed. ©2000

The University of Rochester Medical Center’s
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become America’s healthiest community
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