Low fibre diet
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Patient information Author Endoscopy Unit Department Endoscopy Unit Endoscopy Unit Ratified Date / Review Date Jan 2018/ Jan 2019 Watford General Hospital Version Number / ID Number 06 / 57067 (00033_1-18v06) Hemel Hempstead Hospital
Why follow a low fibre diet? A low fibre diet is recommended when people need to avoid foods that White rice, pasta, Brown rice, pasta, may irritate an inflamed bowel or obstruct narrowed parts of the bowel. noodles. couscous. A low fibre diet may be recommended:
when experiencing diarrhoea caused by a flare-up of Corn flour, white Brown, wholemeal or
inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or flour. granary flour, wheat
ulcerative colitis, or as a result of pelvic radiotherapy or germ, pearl barley, Sweet biscuits such quinoa, oatmeal, graftversus-host disease of the gut. as Rich Tea. wholegrain noodles.
To ease the passage of stools through the bowel when there is Wholegrain or fruit/nut an obstruction or stricture. Plain crackers. biscuits, flapjacks, digestives, fruit cake, rye crispbreads, nuts. The need for a low fibre diet is usually temporary but can sometimes be Smooth peanut permanent. However, it is still important to eat as wide a variety of food butter. Fruit as possible to ensure good nutrition. Tinned or ripe fresh All fruit skins, stalks, fruit without skin or seeds and stones. What is low fibre diet? A low fibre diet is made up of foods that are easily digested and seeds as advised absorbed, leaving a minimal residue in the bowel. This should help to by dietician. improve your bowel symptoms. The following information explains the All dried fruit. types of foods to include and foods to avoid as part of a low fibre diet. It Fruit juices. also provides some useful tips to help you follow this eating plan. Smoothies. Smooth coconut milk.
Desserts Custard, ice cream, Ice cream containing fruit Food Type Foods to include Foods to avoid milk puddings. and nuts, cakes,
Clear jelly. puddings and pies Bread, Cereal and White bread, English Wholemeal, granary, Plain cakes. containing any of the nuts muffins, plain scones rye bread. All fruit/nut following: Wholemeal and bagels, breads, including flour, dried fruit, nuts, pancakes, white pitta walnut, granary or dried coconut and any fruits you have been bread, plain naan fruit muffins or scones bread, plain chapatti, and pastries with advised to avoid.
poppadoms. fruit/dried fruit. Vegetables Flesh only (no peel, All vegetable stalks, seeds or stalks). skins, seeds and peel. Refined breakfast Wholegrain cereals, cereal, such as such as Weetabix, All Sieved tomato Raw vegetables and all sauces, including other vegetables not Special K, Cornflakes Bran, porridge oats, passata and tomato listed, including cabbage, and Rice Krispies. muesli, bran, wheat curly kale, celery, germ, bulgur wheat. puree.
Strained vegetable cucumber, fennel, leeks, okra, Gravy, tomato sauce, Humous, coleslaw,
juices. peppers, peas, pumpkin, soy sauce, plain popcorn, corn chips. mature spinach, sprouts, crisps, plain pretzels sweetcorn, yam, cassava. (without sesame seeds). Pulses such as baked beans, Seeds, including butter beans, kidney beans, pumpkin, sunflower chickpeas and lentils. and sesame seeds. Milk and milk Milk (all types), Any milk products containing products cream, sour cream, fruits, nuts, seeds or cereals. crème fraiche, Useful Tips: fromage frais, smooth yoghurt, Eat small meals at regular intervals (every three to four hours). cheese (any). Chew food slowly and thoroughly. Meat and All meats and fish. Gristly and fatty meat, tough alternatives skin, fish skin and bones. Avoid food that is too hot or too cold. Eggs. When introducing new foods, introduce only one at a time. This will help you to rule out foods that aggravate your symptoms. Tofu. Avoid large quantities of caffeine or alcohol as these may worsen
Drinks Fruit and vegetable Fruit and vegetable juices with your symptoms. juices, milk, water, pulp, prune juice, caffeine- Avoid rich sauces and spicy foods if they worsen your symptoms. soft drinks, wheat containing drinks, such as tea and coffee, espresso, Red Bull and cola. It is important to maintain a good variety of foods, especially if you herbal tea. follow these guidelines for more than a few weeks. Miscellaneous Smooth or sieved Soup with pieces, such as Large volumes of milk may not be well tolerated. If so, just use soup. minestrone. small quantities (in tea and coffee, for example).
Avoid fizzy drinks if they worsen your symptoms. Sugar, honey, Jam or marmalade with skin, golden syrup, peel or pips. Be cautious with ready meals and pre-prepared pizza and pies as custard powder, Chocolate with dried fruit, nuts they may contain some of the ingredients known to aggravate your boiled sweets, or seeds, coconut. symptoms. toffee, caramel, If eating is difficult, speak to your dietician about ways to increase
marshmallows, your calorie and protein intake to ensure adequate nutrition.
plain/milk/white Nutritional supplements may be considered. Your dietician may chocolate. Wholegrain mustard, pickles, relish. recommend a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. Pepper, salt, herbs
and spices in
moderation (dried or finely chopped). 2 3
Suggested meal plan:
Breakfast:
Low fibre cereal (for example Rice Krispies, Cornflakes, Special K) with milk and sugar (if desired). White bread or toast with margarine/butter and honey, Marmite or seedless jam.
Mid-morning snack: Sweet or plain biscuit. Fruit as allowed or yoghurt (with no fruit or nuts).
Lunch: Meat, chicken, fish or egg. White pasta, rice, bread/bread roll, potato (no skin). Vegetables as allowed.
Mid-afternoon snack: Similar to mid-morning snack.
Evening meal: Meat, chicken, fish or egg. White pasta, rice, bread/bread roll, potato (no skin). Vegetables as allowed.
Evening snack: Similar to mid-morning/mid/afternoon snack. You may wish to make these snacks appropriate for the time of day you will be eating them.