Overview

One reason you may need to limit fibre in your diet is when your bowels are irritated. Your doctor and dietitian can help you make a low-fibre diet based on your health and what you prefer to eat. Your dietitian can talk to you about getting enough fluids, exercise, and other helpful nutrition and lifestyle tips to manage your symptoms. Your needs will be different from what others need. Talk to your healthcare team to see what's best for you.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Choose white or refined grains, and avoid whole grains. That means eating white or refined cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta.
• Eat cooked or canned fruit. Low-fibre fruits include applesauce, canned peaches, canned pears, and fruit juice without pulp.
• Eat low-fibre vegetables, which include well-cooked vegetables and vegetable juice.
• Drink or eat milk, yogurt, or other milk products if you can digest dairy without too many problems. Your doctor may limit milk and milk products for a while. If so, they may recommend a calcium and vitamin D supplement.
• Eat well-cooked meat, such as chicken, turkey, fish, or lean meat. You also can eat eggs and tofu.
• These foods are higher in fibre, be cautious or limit to small amounts if you're going to eat them:
  • Bran, brown or wild rice, oatmeal, granola, corn, graham crackers, barley, and whole wheat and other whole grain breads, such as rye bread
  • Cereals with more than 2 grams of fibre a serving
  • Berries, rhubarb, prunes, prune juice, and all dried fruits
  • Raw vegetables and fruits
  • Foods that may cause gas, such as raw or cooked cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower
  • Cooked dried beans, lentils, and split peas
  • Crunchy peanut butter
  • Ice cream with fruit pieces in it
  • Coconut, nuts, popcorn, raisins, and seeds, or any food with these in them
• Download the Progressive Fibre Food Guide to learn more about low, medium, and high fibre foods, as well as how to return to normal eating habits after you have been ill.