Low Fiber Diet

Introduction

Roughage or dietary fiber is a plant-derived food that cannot be broken down completely by the human body lacking digestive enzymes responsible for digesting dietary fiber. Fibers have a diverse chemical composition and are classified according to fermentability, solubility, and viscosity. Food items, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contain high fiber.

Fiber is good for health, but it takes time for digestion, and food is processed slowly. A low-fiber diet limits the amount of fiber intake per day by restricting food with high fiber content. It helps in improving the digestive system. The low-fiber diet plan is in practice for various digestive systems disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. This diet helps in preventing diarrhea and cramping. it is also advised to follow this diet before colonoscopy procedure and surgery.

What Is a Low-Fiber Diet?

A low-fiber or low residual diet is a dietary plan suggested by a healthcare provider or a dietician which consists of food items in the diet that are soft and low in fiber content. This diet is also known as a gastrointestinal soft diet as it is easy to digest. It has low fiber content with added restriction, followed as a temporary eating plan to reduce bowel movements. Food that increases bowel movements is restricted in this diet. It reduces the amount of stool in the large intestine. It is recommended for a shorter duration when the digestive system is not functioning properly; however, when the digestive system returns to normal more fiber can be added to the diet.

The following are the main purposes of a low-fiber diet:

• To reduce bowel movements.

• To reduce the stool content.

• To make the stool looser in consistency.

• To relax the bowel.

• To prevent conditions like constipation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

• To ease the amount of work done by the digestive system.

• To reduce the amount of undigested food in the gut.

• To restrict the food, which increases bowel activity.

What Are the Food Items Included in Low Fiber Diet?

Following are the food items that are included in a low-fiber diet:

• Breakfast cereals have low fiber content, such as puffed rice and cornflakes.

• Foods from gluten-containing wheat flour include pita bread, naan bread, wraps, pasta, noodles, and crumpets.

• Starchy food is gluten-free such as rice, crackers, and rice cakes.

• Fruit juice.

• Peanut butter.

• Vegetable in mashed form without peel and seeds. Canned vegetables preferably.

• Vegetables should be well-cooked and without seeds. Raw peeled cucumber and zucchini can be given in shredded form.

• The small amounts of fruits in peeled form like ripped bananas and melons. Papaya peaches, cantaloupe, and plums can be given.

• A minimal number of dairy products.

• Fats can be consumed present in olive oil, mayonnaise, and butter.

• Potatoes without the skin.

• Tender protein sources like eggs and tofu.

It is important to note that a low-fiber diet should only be followed under the supervision of a healthcare professional. The diet may need to be adjusted based on individual needs and medical conditions.

What Are the Health Benefits of a Low Fiber Diet?

A low-fiber diet can provide several benefits for individuals with specific medical conditions. For instance, people with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis may need to follow a low-fiber diet during flare-ups to reduce inflammation and ease symptoms. In addition, a low-fiber diet can help people recover from surgery or procedures that affect the digestive system, such as abdominal surgery or radiation therapy. The following are the advantages of a low-fiber diet:

• It helps to prep the bowel before colonoscopy and bowel surgery. A liquid diet is advised to be followed before the surgery. This process is known as bowel preparation. It helps in keeping the colon clean before a colonoscopy. A low-fiber diet is effective before the colonoscopy procedure.

• A low-fiber diet helps reduce symptoms like abdominal pain in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease causes abdominal pain and discomfort during bowel movements and is a chronic disease. The fiber-rich content of food increases the stool size and causes extreme abdominal pain making the patient uncomfortable. A low-residue diet helps in relieving the symptoms.

• A low-fiber diet helps reduce diarrhea, which causes loose and watery stools. A low residue diet is advised in acute diarrhea as there is less formation of stools. It is also helpful in bloating and gastric issues.

• After the surgical intervention, patients are advised to follow a liquid diet. After the healing process and stable status, a solid diet is advised. The body tends to resist the change and shift to a solid diet after a longer liquid intake. The shift is advised to be gradual instead of abrupt change. A low-fiber diet helps transition from a liquid to a solid diet.

• A low-fiber diet helps in resolving delayed gastric emptying known as gastroparesis. It helps make the stomach feel full shortly after the start of the meal.

What Are the Disadvantages of a Low Fiber Diet?

A low-fiber diet has the following disadvantages.

• It reduces the fiber content if practiced in the long run. Low fiber consumption for a longer time increases the risk of heart disease.

• A low-fiber diet causes nutrient deficiency, affecting the individual's health status.

• It can also cause blood sugar fluctuation if practiced for a longer duration of time.

• Fibers take time to break down in the stomach, so the stomach remains fuller for longer. A low-fiber diet is digested easily, increasing hunger, meal intake, and weight gain.

Conclusion

A low-fiber diet improves the bowel and the digestive system before colonoscopy and surgery. Low-diet fiber improves digestion and helps in treating various gastrointestinal diseases. It is advised for the patient to transition from a regular balanced diet to a solid one. The advantage of a low-residue diet is that it helps clean the gut and allows the bowel to relax. However, a low-fiber diet also reduces bowel movements. Food is digested quickly. Therefore, it causes excess hunger resulting in weight gain. A low-fiber diet should not be extended for longer as it can result in a nutrient deficiency in the body. Therefore, it is not advisable to follow a low-fiber diet for an extended time.