Low fibre eating
Healthy Ageing - Appetite for Life Manual
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This general advice was accurate at the time of publication. For more information about nutrition and your individual needs, see your GP or an Accredited Practising Dietitian.
Fibre is found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains, and it helps to keep your bowels regular. Eating plenty of fibre can also help you to manage diabetes, heart disease and constipation.
Sometimes your GP or specialist might ask you to follow a low fibre eating plan to rest your bowels. This might be because you have had gut surgery, diverticulitis or because your gut has been under stress.
Eating low-fibre foods will mean that you have smaller and less frequent bowel motions. This page gives some ideas about what foods to choose that are low in fibre.
Following a low fibre eating plan means you may not get enough of some nutrients. Do not follow this way of eating for a long time unless you are advised by your specialist, GP or an Accredited Practising Dietitian.
Which foods should I choose?
It is important to include a variety of foods from the five food groups every day, including different types of grain (cereal) foods, vegetables, fruit, dairy foods, lean meat and meat alternatives.
Food group |
Low fibre foods (choose) |
High fibre foods (avoid) |
---|---|---|
Grain (cereal) foods |
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Vegetables |
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Fruit |
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Dairy Foods |
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Lean meat and meat alternatives |
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Other foods |
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Acknowledgements: DAA Nutrition Manual, 9th Edition, 'Restricted Fibre Diet' 2014.
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