Is it safe to eat a carnivore diet?

The carnivore diet isn’t recommended by medical professionals. Cutting out fiber entirely long-term can harm your digestive health, increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies, and negatively impact your gut microbiome. A low fiber diet is a short-term medical tool, not a lifestyle. For long-term health, fiber from a variety of plant foods is essential.

Can I ever eat high-fiber foods again?

Yes, most low fiber diets are short-term and meant to help your gut heal. Once you’re cleared by your doctor or dietitian, fiber can be gradually reintroduced . Start with gentle, soluble fiber sources like oats, peeled apples, or cooked carrots. Add rougher options slowly, keeping an eye on how your body responds. Reintroducing fiber too quickly may cause bloating or discomfort.

What are the best low fiber diet foods for breakfast?

Good low fiber breakfast options include scrambled eggs, white toast, plain bagels, yogurt, cream of wheat, or bananas. Smoothies made with peeled fruit and yogurt can also work if blended well. Just avoid whole grains, high-fiber cereals, and fruit with skin or seeds. Check out our sample menu for ideas on what to eat in a day.

What can I eat on a low fiber diet?

On a low fiber diet, focus on soft, easy-to-digest foods with less than 1-2 grams of fiber per serving. This includes white bread, plain pasta, white rice, lean meats, eggs, dairy (if tolerated), and cooked or peeled fruits and vegetables like bananas or applesauce.

How do I avoid nutrient deficiencies?

Because many high-fiber foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, a low fiber diet can lead to gaps in nutrition . To avoid deficiencies, focus on nutrient-dense low fiber foods and consider a multivitamin or specific supplements. Especially if you're on the diet longer than a few days. Always speak to a healthcare professional about supplementation.

What if I accidentally eat high-fiber food?

Don’t panic. One meal with extra fiber is unlikely to cause serious harm. If you’re managing a condition like a bowel obstruction or post-surgery recovery, monitor how you feel and call your doctor if symptoms worsen. Going forward, follow these tips for following a low fiber diet successfully.

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What Is a Low Fiber Diet? A Complete 2025 Guide

Low fiber foods on a counter with a board stating "Low Fiber Diet A Complete Guide"

                Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medication.
            

Fiber usually gets a gold star in the nutrition world – and for good reason. It helps keep digestion smooth, supports heart health, and keeps you feeling full. So it might seem a little strange to hear that, in some cases, less fiber is actually better.

A low fiber diet is typically used for specific medical reasons. This includes things like managing a flare-up of Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, recovering from surgery, or preparing for a procedure like a colonoscopy¹.

It’s not meant to be a long-term plan for most people. Plus it’s very different from trends like the carnivore diet, which cuts out whole food groups and can come with serious risks.

On a low fiber diet, the goal is to eat under 10 grams of fiber a day. That’s a big drop from the usual daily recommendation, but it can give your digestive system a much-needed rest when things are irritated or healing. Let’s take a closer look at when this kind of diet makes sense, and how to do it in a way that still feels manageable.

A quote from our certified nutritionist about the uses of a low-fiber diet

What Is a Low Fiber Diet? 🤔

Let’s break it down. A low fiber diet, sometimes called a low residue diet, is exactly what it sounds like: eating foods that leave less behind in your digestive system². “Residue” just means the stuff your body doesn’t fully digest – mainly fiber³. The goal here is to reduce the workload on your gut, giving it time to rest and heal.

Doctors might recommend this kind of eating plan if your digestive tract is inflamed, blocked, or recovering from a procedure⁴. That includes situations like prepping for a colonoscopy, healing from bowel surgery, or managing conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or bowel obstructions^{5 6}.

Man clutching his stomach with a pile of pancakes in the background

It’s also sometimes used during radiation treatment for certain cancers. In these cases, too much fiber can make symptoms worse. It can cause pain, bloating, or diarrhea.

Here’s a quick fiber 101: there are 2 main types of fiber; soluble and insoluble. On a low fiber diet, both are limited, but especially the rougher, insoluble kind.

Soluble Fiber	Insoluble Fiber
Dissolves in water and forms a gel 💧	Doesn’t dissolve – adds bulk to stool 🧱
Slows digestion 🐢	Speeds up movement through the gut 🏃‍♂️
Gentler on the digestive system 🤍	Can be irritating to an inflamed gut 😣
Found in oats, bananas, peeled apples 🍌, white rice 🍚	Found in wheat bran 🌾, whole grains 🍞, raw veggies 🥦, fruit skins 🍎

Goals of a Low Fiber Diet 🎯

So, why cut back on fiber in the first place? It all comes down to giving your digestive system a bit of a break.

The main goal of a low fiber diet is to slow things down in your gut. That means fewer bowel movements, and ideally, less irritation along the way. When your intestines are inflamed, recovering, or just overly sensitive, all that natural “roughage” from fiber can actually make things worse.