Low-Residue and Fiber Nutrition Therapy for IBD

These instructions are for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) who are recommended to decrease fiber in their diet to manage IBD symptoms.

Important information:

  • Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet. Adequate fiber intake is recommended for long-term management for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

  • However, your healthcare provider may recommend a low-fiber or low-residue diet during an IBD flare or if there is a stricture (a narrowing) in your intestine.

  • A low-fiber or low-residue diet may also be recommended after surgery.

  • Speak to your healthcare provider if you are unsure whether your child needs a low-fiber or low-residue diet. Limiting these foods can help with bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

  • Once your symptoms improve, your healthcare provider can help you add more fiber into your diet.

Instructions for managing IBD symptoms:

  • Eat 5-6 small meals per day

  • Limit spicy foods

  • Limit high-fat and fried foods

  • Limit lactose if it worsens your symptoms

  • Do not eat whole grains, whole nuts, or seeds

  • Do not eat raw vegetables, most raw fruits, or the peels and skins of fruits and vegetables

Grains

Foods Recommended

  • Breads, bagels, or rolls made from white flour

  • White rice

  • Cereals or hot cereals made from refined grains such as Cream of Wheat ®, corn flakes, puffed rice cereal, and grits

Foods to Limit

  • Breads, bagels, or rolls made from whole wheat flour

  • Brown rice or wild rice

  • Popcorn

  • Whole grains such as quinoa and barley

Protein

Foods Recommended

  • Low-fat, well-cooked meat such as chicken and fish

  • Eggs

  • Lean deli meats

  • Tofu

  • Smooth nut butters

Foods to Limit

  • Fried meat or chicken

  • Sausage and bacon

  • Hot dogs

  • Whole nuts and seeds

  • Crunchy nut butters

  • Deli meat

  • Beans

Dairy

Foods Recommended

  • Fat-free, 1% or 2% milk, lactose-free milk

  • Yogurt

  • Cottage cheese

  • Cheese

Foods to Limit

  • Whole milk, half and half and cream

  • Sour cream

  • Full-fat ice cream

Vegetables

Foods Recommended

  • Well-cooked vegetables without seeds or skin

  • Potatoes without the skin

  • Vegetable stock

Foods to Limit

  • Raw vegetables with tough skin

  • Fried vegetables

  • Cooked or raw broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, corn, beans, mushrooms, onions, kale, and collard greens

Fruit

Foods Recommended

  • Fruit juice (except for prune or pear juice)

  • Ripe bananas

  • Melon

  • Peeled apple or applesauce

  • Canned soft fruits in juice

  • Soft, fleshy fruits

Foods to Limit

  • Fresh and dried fruits

  • Fruit juice with pulp

  • Prune and pear juice

  • Canned fruit in heavy syrup

Others

Foods to Limit

  • "Added" sugars (high fructose corn syrup)

  • Artificial sweeteners, including sugar alcohols (reduced-calorie sweeteners such as erythritol, maltitol, sorbitol, stevia, and xylitol)

  • Sugar sweetened beverages (soda and sports drinks)

 

Reviewed July 2025 by Julia Caron, RD