How It Works, Benefits, Foods, and More

HBR

Because fiber has many health benefits, a low-fiber diet isn’t a good idea for most people.

“Most of the time, following a low-fiber diets is a short-term strategy, because fiber is important for everything from gut to heart and metabolic health,” says Kaytee Hadley, RDN, a registered dietitian-nutritionist specializing in digestive health and the owner of Holistic Health and Wellness, a private nutrition practice in Richmond, Virginia.

You should only attempt a low-fiber diet if a healthcare provider recommends it and gives you guidance on which foods to eat and avoid for your particular symptoms or condition.

Here are some reasons why your healthcare provider might recommend a low-fiber diet.

Symptom Management for Digestive Issues

Your healthcare provider may recommend a low-fiber diet to manage symptoms of digestive conditions such as ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease, or diverticulitis, particularly during acute phases, also called flare-ups, Silver says. When you experience a flare-up, parts of your digestive tract become inflamed and narrow, making it more difficult for food to pass through.

A temporary low-fiber diet could also be helpful for someone with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that’s characterized by a group of symptoms that occur together, including abdominal pain and diarrhea or constipation. A low-fiber diet may be recommended when you experience diarrhea, since it decreases stool frequency.

Management of an Intestinal Blockage

Someone with an intestinal stricture (a narrowing of the intestine that makes it hard for food to pass) or obstruction (blockage of the intestine) may need to follow a long-term low-fiber diet to prevent food from getting stuck in their digestive tract.

In this case, it’s important to work with a registered dietitian. They can recommend sources of fiber you may be able to tolerate, so that you don’t miss out on the health benefits, Yaceczko says.

Surgery Prep

Your physician may prescribe a low-fiber diet in the days before any procedure that involves the colon or rectum, like a colonoscopy or a bowel resection (a surgery that removes damaged parts of the colon or a colostomy that connects the large intestine to an opening in the abdominal wall).

A low-fiber diet helps ensure your colon is as clean and empty as possible before surgery, Schnoll-Sussman says.

Surgery Recovery

It’s often recommended to continue a low-fiber diet during recovery from a procedure involving the colon or rectum, Yaceczko says. Limiting fiber in the digestive tract post-surgery can aid the healing process and minimize uncomfortable symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Related Posts