Definition: A diet plan that limits the amount of fibrous and difficult to digest foods. Such a diet may be followed to rest the gastrointestinal tract after surgery or during a flare-up of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), or when there is a concern about an intestinal blockage. A low fiber diet is normally only followed for a short period of time, until the intestinal tract is healed enough to tolerate fibrous foods.
Foods allowed on a restricted fiber diet include cooked fruits and vegetables without seeds and refined grain products. Foods disallowed include fruits and vegetables with seeds, whole grain products, nuts, and legumes.
Also Known As: low fiber diet; soft, low-residue diet
