Low fibre diet
Last edited: 16/12/2022
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A low fibre diet contains foods which are likely to be completely digested by the body. It will still contain small amounts of fibre, but will avoid foods high in fibre.
Fibre is the structural part of plants like bones are the structural part of humans. It is not digested or broken down but passes through the gut adding bulk to our diet.
A low fibre diet may decrease the amount of gas produced and thereby help to alleviate symptoms such as bloating and stomach discomfort.
You may only need to follow this diet for a limited time, so check with your doctor regularly to see if you should keep following it. Contact your dietitian if you need further advice or if you feel it is not benefiting you.
| Food group | Low sources of fibre
(less than one gram per portion) |
Medium sources of fibre
(one to four grams per portion) |
High sources of fibre
(more than four grams per portion) |
| Breads | White crackers
Rice cakes |
Brown
Best of both Equivalent supermarket brands Tortillas Rye crispbread White nann Chapatti Poppadums Crumpets |
Wholemeal
Rye Granary Seeded Soda Soya flour |
| Cereals | Cornflakes
Rice Krispies Special K Supermarkets own brand, sugar coated cereals
|
Weetabix
Fruit ‘n Fibre Sugar Puffs Porridge |
All Bran
Muesli Shredded Wheat Bran Flakes Cereal with added fruit and/or nuts |
| Cakes and biscuits | Spongecake
Plain biscuits |
Chocolate biscuits and wafers
Wholemeal biscuits (digestives) Hob Nobs Oatcakes Fruit scones Buns Flapjacks |
Fruit cakes
Malt loaves Coconut cake Pastries |
| Pasta and rice | White pasta
White rice |
Noodles
Cous cous |
Wholemeal pasta
Brown rice |
| Potato and potato products | Boiled potatoes with or without skins
Mash potato Roast potato Potato croquettes Crisps |
Chips
Potato wedges Potato waffles |
|
| Confectionary | ‘Cream of’ soups
Honey Syrup Jam without seeds and pips Marmalade without peel Smooth pickles and chutneys Tapioca Custard Sago Bovril Marmite |
Nuts
Seeds Peanut butter Soups with vegetable pieces |
Fruit
Avoid skins and seeds. Keep to a maximum of two portions a day. If you have recently had a bowel obstruction, you may initially need to avoid all fruit. Contact your dietitian if you are unsure.
| Food group | Low sources of fibre
(less than one gram per portion) |
Medium sources of fibre
(one to four grams per portion) |
High sources of fibre
(more than four grams per portion) |
| Fruit | Stewed apple
Cherries Grapes Pears Satsuma Tangerines Small ripe banana Tinned cherries Tinned mandarins Tinned grapefruit Tinned peaches Tinned pears Watermelon Melon Lychees |
Peeled fresh apple
Apricots Grapefruit Nectarine Rhubarb Tinned pears Banana chips Raspberries Blackberries Damsons Plums Gooseberries Guava Pawpaw Mango Oranges Fresh peaches Fresh pineapple Rhubarb Strawberries Tinned pears Kiwi fruit |
Dried fruit
Raisins Figs Dates Sultanas Prunes Blackcurrants Coconut
|
Vegetables
Avoid skins, seeds and stalks. Keep to a maximum of two portions a day plus potato. You should try to spread your vegetables through the day. If you have recently had a bowel obstruction you may initially need to avoid all vegetables, contact your dietitian if you are unsure.
| Food group | Low sources of fibre
(less than one gram per portion) |
Medium sources of fibre
(one to four grams per portion) |
High sources of fibre
(more than four grams per portion) |
| Pulses and vegetables | Asparagus
Avocado Lettuce Cauliflower florets Chicory Courgette Marrow Peeled cucumber Pumpkin Tinned tomatoes Cress Alfalfa sprouts Bean sprouts Mushrooms |
Aubergine
Beetroot Broccoli Sprouts Carrots Celery Fennel Spring greens Onions Sweet potato Swede French beans Runner beans Leeks |
Peas
Chick peas Parsnips Sweetcorn Broad beans All raw vegetables Pips and skins Baked beans Lentils Dhal
|
Vitamin and mineral supplements
When following a low fibre diet for long periods of time, it is sometimes necessary to use a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement to make sure you meet your requirements. Please contact your dietitian if you need more information.
Fluid
It is important that you have a good intake of fluid to help your bowels work. Aim for six to eight cups a day.
Contact us
Please contact the service though our Central Appointments Team:
0300 123 0861
kcht.centralisedappointmentteam@nhs.net
Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm
This information should only be followed on the advice of a healthcare professional.
Do you have feedback about our health services?
0800 030 4550
Text 07899 903499
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm
kentchft.PALS@nhs.net
kentcht.nhs.uk/PALS
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Trinity House, 110-120 Upper Pemberton
Ashford
Kent
TN25 4AZ
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