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.
This diet provides foods that result in a reduced amount of fecal material in the lower bowel. Foods are low in fiber content and restricted in non-fibrous food producing residue.
Adequacy
This diet meets the Recommended Dietary Allowances.
Foods Allowed and Foods to Avoid
Milk and Milk Products
Allowed: Milk as tolerated; plain or flavored yogurt; pudding; cheese
Avoid: Yogurt with seeds or fruit peels; seeded cheeses; pudding with nuts
Beverages
Allowed: Clear fruit juices (apple, cranberry, grape); low-pulp juices (orange, lemonade, grapefruit)
Avoid: All others including nectars, milk, cream, juices with pulp, cocoa, prune juice, tomato and vegetable juices
Breads
Allowed: Refined breads, rolls, biscuits, muffins, crackers; pancakes or waffles; plain pastries
Avoid: Whole-grain flour, cracked wheat, bran, seeds, nuts, coconut, raw or dried fruit; cornbread; graham crackers
Cereals
Allowed: Refined cooked cereals (quick oatmeal, grits, farina); refined cold cereals (puffed rice, puffed wheat, cornflakes)
Avoid: Whole-grain, bran, or granola cereals; cereals with seeds, nuts, coconut, or dried fruit
Desserts and Sweets
Allowed: Plain cakes and cookies (all-purpose flour); pies with allowed fruits; sherbet; fruit ice; frozen pops; gelatin; custard; jelly; plain hard candy; marshmallows; ice cream as tolerated; molasses, sugar, syrup
Avoid: Desserts with whole-grain flour, bran, seeds, nuts, coconut, dried fruit; jam; marmalade
Fats
Allowed: Margarine, butter, salad oils and dressings, mayonnaise, bacon, plain gravies
Fruits
Allowed: Most canned or cooked fruits; applesauce; fruit cocktail; ripe banana; melons; peeled apples; citrus sections with membranes removed; strained fruit juice or drinks
Avoid: Dried fruit; berries; raw fruits with membranes or seeds; kiwi; grapes; juices with pulp; prune juice
Meats and Meat Substitutes
Allowed: Ground or well-cooked tender beef, lamb, ham, veal, pork, poultry, fish, organ meats; eggs; creamy peanut butter
Avoid: Whole-grain, seed, or nut-containing products; dried beans, peas, lentils, legumes; chunky peanut butter
Potatoes and Substitutes
Allowed: Cooked white or sweet potatoes without skin; white rice; refined pasta
Avoid: All others
Soups
Allowed: Bouillon, broth, or cream soups made with allowed vegetables, noodles, rice, or flour
Avoid: All others
Vegetables
Allowed: Most well-cooked or canned vegetables without seeds (except those excluded); lettuce if tolerated; strained vegetable juice
Avoid: Sauerkraut, winter squash, peas, corn; most raw vegetables; vegetables with seeds
Miscellaneous
Allowed: Salt, pepper as tolerated; sugar; spices; herbs; vinegar; ketchup; mustard; coffee or tea as tolerated; carbonated beverages
Avoid: Nuts, coconut, seeds, popcorn, pickles
*These foods are low in fiber but may increase colonic residue. Assess tolerance and limit as needed.
Note
Residue may be further reduced by excluding all fruits and vegetables, except strained juices and white potatoes without skin.
Helpful Hints
- Buy breads and cereals made from refined wheat or rice. Avoid whole-grain products with bran.
- Remove skin from vegetables and fruits before cooking.
- Marinate meats in juice or wine for flavor.
- Season with spices and herbs for variety.
- Avoid foods made with seeds, nuts, raw, or dried fruit.
- Limit milk and milk products to 2 cups per day.
- Fiber is reduced by using pureed or tender cooked vegetables, ripe canned or cooked fruits without skin or seeds, and well-cooked tender meats.
Low Roughage Diet Sample Menu
Breakfast
- Orange juice
- Allowed cereal with milk and sugar
- Egg
- Toast with butter and jelly
Lunch or Dinner
- Soup with saltine crackers
- Meat, fish, or allowed cheese
- Potato or substitute
- Allowed vegetable
- Bread and butter
- Allowed fruit or dessert
- Beverage
Snacks
- Allowed cookies or cake
- Milk dessert
- Flavored gelatin with allowed fruits
- Any other food included on diet lists
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