If you are reading this either you or someone you care about and cook for has been put on a low fibre diet. You may have been put on a low-fibre diet because of a risk of bowel blockage or to recover from digestive tract surgery. Or you may be having cancer treatment-related diarrhoea, or difficulties in digesting your normal diet. Flare-ups in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may also require a temporary low-fibre diet, too. Eating less fibre can help with the bloating, wind, cramping, pain and fullness associated with these situations.
But, as you may have already noticed, a low-fibre diet is notoriously boring and bland, and hopefully needs only be adhered to until the gut is rested or any blockage alleviated. Some people may need to follow a low fibre diet for a longer time. With both timeframes in mind I have devised a number of recipes that should make the necessary dietary restrictions much more bearable. I have tried to make the recipes suitable for both the low-fibre patient and their family, using various flavours and combinations to bring the best out of the limited repertoire of foods. I hope you like them.
This is a work in progress, so please check back very soon as I will be endeavouring to post new recipes every so often. Refer to the guidance in Help with a Low-Fibre Diet before preparing any of these recipes for yourself or anyone with low-fibre needs. Visit your nearest Maggies Cancer Caring Centre, or click on their website/on-line community, for personal support. Other resources can be found on food.com, although the recipes aren’t written for low-fibre diets as such. Some other resources marked as ‘low fibre’ look wildly unsuitable (eg epicurious) or are message boards only.
Three-Fish Terrine
100g (3 & 1/2 oz) salmon fillet
200g (7 oz) fresh haddock fillet (or similar)
100g (3 & 1/2 oz) undyed smoked haddock fillet (or similar)
100 ml (3 & 1/2 fl oz) double cream/heavy cream
2 large eggs, beaten
salt and pepper
mild paprika
lemon juice plus lemon wedges
Oil 4 ramekins and sprinkle very lightly with paprika.
Cut the salmon fillet into thin strips and divide between the ramekins, laying them neatly as this side will be uppermost when served.
Blend the smoked fish in a food processor, add one-third of the beaten egg mixture and one-third of the cream, blending until smooth. Set aside for now.
Blend together the fresh haddock and the remaining eggs and cream, adding a good pinch of salt and pepper, a teaspoon or so of lemon juice and a good pinch of paprika.
Put a tablespoon of the smoked fish mixture in each ramekin, then top with the fresh haddock mixture, press lightly to smooth.
Put the ramekins into a roasting tray; pour some boiling water into the tray so that it comes up about two-thirds the way, and bake in an oven preheated to 200C/400F for 30 minutes. OR microwave for eight minutes.
To serve, turn upside down on plate and garnish with soft lettuce (like salade mache) and a lemon wedge. Recipe adapted from one eaten at La Cuisine d’Odile, French Institute, Edinburgh in the 1990s (!).
Miso-Glazed Fish
This is simplicity itself and oh so tasty. You may need to get the miso – which is a thick paste made of fermented rice or barley plus soybeans – at the health food store, much tastier than it sounds, I promise. And don’t worry about the word beans – the natural processing removes any worries about fibre. Once opened it keeps really well in the fridge and can be used to perk up all kinds of things such as noodles and spread over halved and baked aubergine (flash under a grill, then eat the flesh only; see below). I’ve not stipulated the fish type as different types of fish are used in different countries. In the UK try haddock, gurnard, hake or coley rather than endangered cod. Regardless of where you are what you are wanting is a firm white fish. Serve with rice and well-cooked pak choi (bok choy) if you can tolerate it, or even vegetable stock-braised lettuce with a splash of mild vinegar for extra flavour.
2 x 150-175g (5-6 oz) firm, white fish (skinned), washed and patted dry
2 tbsp white/blonde or yellow miso
1 ½ tbsp brown sugar
½ tsp toasted sesame oil
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 tbsp mirin, dry sherry or fresh lime juice
Mix together the glaze ingredients until the brown sugar has completely dissolved. Brush most of the glaze on both sides of the fish and leave to marinate for half an hour.
Preheat your grill/broiler and place the fish on a baking tray, then pop under the heat until the tops are starting to brown and the glaze caramelizes – watch it to make sure it doesn’t burn – about three minutes. Take the fish from the grill/broiler, brush with the remaining glaze. Now either turn the heat to 180C/375C, or lightly cover the fish with foil (not touching the fish) and put on a lower rack, and cook until the fish is cooked through but still moist – about five minutes. This glaze is also superb on baked aubergine/eggplant: slice an aubergine in half lengthways slash a diamond pattern into the flesh (not cutting the skin), oil and bake in a medium-hot oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread over the miso glaze; place under a hot grill/broiler until bubbly. Scoop out the tender flesh with a spoon and enjoy!
Prawn and Tomato Skillet Dinner
Use fresh or frozen shrimp for a quick, delicious and low-fibre meal for the whole family. Serve with boiled or steamed white rice or potatoes.
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 small courgettes/zucchini, peeled and diced
1/2 x 400g (1/2 of a 14 oz) tin of whole, peeled tomatoes, cut open and seeds removed
3 tbsp tomato paste
4 good sprigs parsley and 2 good sprigs dill (preferably tied together with kitchen string but okay if not)
500g (1 lb 2 oz) fresh (peeled and deveined) or uncooked, frozen (but defrosted) king prawns/shrimp – minced if required
100g (3 & 1/2 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
Lemon wedges, to serve (optional)
Heat the oil in a large, oven-proof skillet (a cast-iron one is ideal) over a low-medium heat. Add the onions and sauté gently for three minutes, then add in the garlic and courgette/zucchini and sauté for a further three minutes, until everything is quite soft. Add the de-seeded tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, dill and a good splash of water and let simmer for about 10 minutes. No need to add water if you are adding defrosted shrimp.
Add in the shrimp and allow them to cook through. Fish out the parsley anddill. Sprinkle over the crumbled feta cheese and pop under a hot grill/broiler until the feta melts. If you don’t have an oven-proof skillet just allow the heat of the dish to warm the feta; it will be nearly as good. Serve with rice and lemon wedges. Serves 4. This dish is easily halved.
Pear and Cocoa Pudding
This is a quick and extremely yummy pudding for the whole family. This recipe can easily be halved but the whole recipe makes fine leftovers and can even be served cold, with a splash of cream.
2 x 400g (2 x 14 oz)) tins pear halves or quarters in juice
150g (1 cup) self-raising flour OR 150g plain flour + 1 tsp baking powder and ¼ tsp fine salt
2 tbsp cocoa powder
125g (1/2 cup) caster/fine sugar
150g (2/3 cup) butter or Earth Balance-type spread, plus extra for dish
2 medium eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract or ½ tsp vanilla paste/powder
Drain the pears and lay in a pie dish or other ovenproof dish (e.g. 22cm square; I use an oval Le Creuset-type dish)
Pop the remaining ingredients in a food processor (or mix vigourously by hand) and whiz until it is completely smooth.
Drop spoonfuls of the batter over the pears and, with a wet spoon, carefully spread over the pears.
Bake in a 200C/400F oven for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes (if you can bear it!) before serving.
Savoury Bread Pudding
Savoury Bread Pudding
This is a great dish for for anyone who just wants a bit of comfort food – with a healthy streak. If you are trying to gain weight please use full fat versions of the dairy products mentioned, and perhaps add in more cheese too.
oil/butter or oil spray, for greasing your dish
150 g (5 & 1/2 oz) day-old white bakery-style bread, crusts removed & cut into cubes
4 medium eggs, beaten
1 x 400g (14 oz) tin/carton cream of tomato soup OR pouch of tomato soup (check that it is less than 1.5 grams of fibre per serving) – Tesco has a nice tomato and marscapone one, as does Sainsburys (both are UK stores)
¼ to ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
200 ml (4/5 cup)) milk
50 ml (scant 1/4 cup)crème fraiche/sour cream (optional)
salt and pepper, to taste
50 g (scant 1/4 cup) cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt, to taste
Spray or paint a one litre baking dish (approximately 27×18) with a little oil. Preheat the oven to 180C. Pop the bread cubes into the oiled baking dish and set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the milk, crème fraiche, soup, garlic powder and the eggs. Pour this mixture over the bread cubes. Gently press the mixture into the bread and allow to soak up for about five minutes (or don’t press it and leave, covered, overnight in the refrigerator). Sprinkle over the cheese and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving warm with a a very small bowl of lettuce leaves. Need more calories? Use full-fat dairy. Serves 2 generously, with a little leftover.
Indian-style Chicken Stew
People on low-fibre diets are often advised to avoid spices; this isn’t strictly necessary. Although we associate spices with heat and pungency many spices are not ‘spicy’: cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, mace, allspice, vanilla – to name just a few. We use spices to enhance the aroma and flavour of foods and these very traits are what is often necessary to make low-fibre diets more varied tasting, if not varied in actuality. I developed this recipe to make use of the aromatic properties of some of the mild but highly-scented spices used in Indian cookery. The coconut milk adds further flavour but without the fibre of coconut itself. Any leftovers can be thickened with cornflour and wrapped up in buttered phyllo pastry to bake into delicious strudel for a quick lunch the next day. Those on a low-residue should double-check that using these spices is okay.
2 chicken or turkey breasts (approx 200g/7 oz), skinned and cut in half horizontally (to make them thinner and cook more evenly)
1 x 400g/14 oz (approx) tin or carton coconut milk (full or reduced fat)
3 cm/1 inch piece of peeled ginger, smashed but intact
2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1 bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
3 green cardamom pods, gently cracked
½ tsp ground turmeric (or one thumb-sized piece of turmeric root if available – lightly bashed)
¾ tsp salt
¼ tsp white pepper
1 large potato, peeled and cubed
1 onion, peeled and halved
About 200ml/7 fl oz vegetable or chicken stock
Put the coconut milk and all of the spices into a saucepan wide enough to snugly fit the chicken or turkey. Add the chicken and bring to a simmer; loosely cover with a lid and simmer very gently for 20 minutes. Boiling, or fast simmering, toughens chicken. Turn off the heat and let the chicken sit in the heady milk for a further 15 minutes. Strain the milk from the chicken and spices, and pour the strained milk into another pan. Shred or chop the chicken and set aside. Discard the spices.
To the strained milk add the chopped potato and halved onion. Pour in enough vegetable or chicken stock to cover the vegetables and bring to the boil, then simmer until the onions and potatoes are tender – about 20 minutes. Discard the onion and add in the chopped chicken and reheat gently. If you would like a thicker stew, mix 1 tablespoon of cornflour/cornstarch with a little water and add this to the stew, stirring to thicken. Serve with white rice. Serves 2
Lemony Courgette Ribbons with Tagliatelle in Crème Fraiche Sauce
As much as the title is a mouthful to say, it is a fresh-tasting mouthful to eat. Make this simple dish even nicer by lifting the pasta out of the cooking water with tongs, rather than sliding it in a colander. This little change allows some starchy water to cling to the strands, which helps extend the sauce.
3 ‘nests’ of tagliatelle (or 1 ½ per person)
1 small bunch each basil and mint, tied together with kitchen string or preferably in a muslin bag
1 medium courgette, peeled
juice of ½ lemon
4 tbsp half-fat crème fraiche, or soft cheese with a little milk added
Olive Oil Crumbs Topping
1 slice crustless white bread, rubbed into crumbs
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp garlic powder, or to taste
Bring a pan of water to the boil along with the herbs, and cook the tagliatelle according to packet directions.
While the pasta is cooking, make the topping by heating the oil in a sauté pan and stir-frying the breadcrumbs and garlic powder until lightly coloured. Set aside.
Now take the courgette and peel into thin ribbons. Slice these ribbons lengthways into three strips and drop into another pan of boiling water, cooking for 1 minute. Drain and refresh with cold water. Pop the courgette ribbons back in the pan and add in the crème fraiche and lemon juice, heating gently.
Lift the pasta from the water, discard the herbs and add the pasta to the pan with the sauce and courgettes. Gently toss through before serving topped with the olive oil crumbs. Serves 2
More calories: Saute courgettes in olive oil
This recipe is also good for soft food and low-salt diets
Pepper-Cheese Spread
This type of sandwich spread is common in the US ‘deep south’ (where I hail from) and it is called pimienta cheese. Nearly everyone over there just buys it ready made from the shops, but it is so easy to whiz up that it’s a shame that more people don’t make it from scratch. It’s certainly not for slimmers but if you need to keep the weight on, or if you are looking for something to liven up a prescribed low-fibre or easy-to-swallow diet, this tasty spread smeared on white bread might just fit the bill. In the States it is mainly a sandwich filler, but it would be nice as a dip with breadsticks or homemade pitta chips too.
80 – 100g (heaped 1/3 cup) roasted peppers in oil, drained (skins removed if still on)
50 g (1/2 cup) sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
2 heaped tbsp low fat soft/cream cheese (or regular)
2 tbsp quality mayonnaise (I like the very French ‘Delouis Fils’ brand, available at most UK supermarkets, but usually mail-order for US)
¼ tsp garlic powder
pinch of pepper
Whizz everything up in a food processor and allow to ‘come together’ for 20 minutes before eating. Much tastier than the ingredients might suggest! Enough for 6 rolls
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Kelly, thank you for posting these low-fibre diet recipes. I would love to connect with you as I am trying to learn more about the low fiber diet. I cook for cancer patients in my community and this is one area I would like to understand better. Please email me at JeanettesHealthyLiving@gmail.com when you have a moment. Thank you!
Hi Jeanette. Thanks for getting in touch. I will email you very soon so we can talk all things ‘low-fibre’. There are not many of us doing this kind of thing so it’s good to exchange ideas.
Sorry. My message wasn’t meant to be harsh. It’s a great thing you’re doing. Most with low fiber diet need easy to make and minimal veggies. I’ve found crackpot ft past potatoes n carrots works wonders.
Hmm. Sorry. This wouldn’t work for most people I know on low fiber diet…including me. Most people needing low fiber can’t do cream or veggies. Sorry. Just letting u know. I understand everyone is different..but not really w low fiber diet. I’ve been on low fiber diet my whole life….54 yrs…email me if u need some ideas. : )
Unfortunately, those receipts are unavailable for my grandma as she can’t eat neither creme fraiche nor garlic. We live in Europe so it’s difficult to get some other ingredients you’re writting about. Now she manages to eat only mixed things as the disease got worse. I would appreciate some ideas for mixed recipes.
Also, may I have some contact with Maria Gerhardt, please?
Hi there. I’m not sure what recipe you are referring to but use whatever dairy is acceptable. Also, many people are allowed a touch of garlic powder so perhaps she can as well. This is suggested in the recipes. As for my recipes generally, they can all be blended. I think blending the main components separately (for example cooked chicken with sauce, then topping with mashed potato rather than blending all as one) is much more appetising. As for your request to contact Maria Gerhardt, I’m afraid I can’t legally do that. I’m sorry. Best wishes to you and your mother. Do consult a dietitian for more ideas on blended meals for low fibre needs.
Hi Kelly these recipes r lovely as I am strugging what to eat on low fiber as doctor have. Put me on and struggle for meal ideas X
I am gluten sensitive & my doctor wants me on a low fiber diet Help
Kellie, your recipes and information about low fibre diets have given me such a lift. I am a retired GP with peritoneal secondaries threatening to stick my bowel loops together and cause obstruction. I have been advised to keep the bowel small with a low fibre diet, to minimise this risk, but have been so depressed by the standard hospital diets designed to keep my weight up and give me calories and not much else. I am due to start a third course of chemotherapy in a couple of weeks, and want to eat healthily for as long as possible. I still eat with the family, and sitting down to a lovingly and thoughtfully prepared meal is the highlight of our day. By emphasizing what I can eat rather than a veto on all the gorgeous green and coloured veg I have enjoyed for years, and by putting quantities into perspective, you have given me hope and a new interest! Keep up the good work, it is so important.
I am glad that you have found these pages useful to you, and that you will continue to enjoy your food and what sounds like lovely family times. I appreciate the positive feedback as it makes me think I am doing the right thing here. All the very best, Kellie
Hi Kellie
Thank you very much for taking the time to think out a few recipes and meal ideas. I had an ileostomy 33 years ago, and have had other abdominal surgery on occasion since then. I currently suffer from stomach pains and stoma blockages and have been put on a low fibre diet whilst I wait for a scan appointment to see if I have a blockage or kink in the small intestine. As I am vegetarian, this first seemed like I would be eating a very bland diet, but I am increasing my repertoire daily with help from the internet. Tomorrow I plan to make a macaroni cheese, topped with skinned and seeded tomatoes and served with a small lettuce & cucumber (peeled & seeded) salad. The worst thing is eating enough to be satisfied, but not so much that I put on weight. Oh well, it’s not for ever…
Hi Teresa, thanks for your comment. I am sorry that you are going through a hard time right now, and that your symptoms might be due to a blockage or kink. I am glad that my recipes – and others from the internet – are keeping you interested in food. That’s so important. I haven’t had much time to put more recipes up but you have inspired me to try harder in that department. I have a few Italian ones that I will put up soon. If you a subscribe you will see when they go up. Or, just check back in a short while. Hope the scan appointment comes soon. Crossed fingers for you Teresa. By the way, if you have a favourite low fibre tip or recipe, would you let me know? Thanks
Do you provide the fiber count per serving with your recipes and the portion size?
I don’t have the software for it but hope to soon
We are lacto vegetarian, could you pls suggest some easy recipes ….
I have been on a low fiber diet for 7 years, but did not follow it up all the time. I have just spent several days in hospital with a blockage, and am now on a very strict low fiber diet. I looked on Google, and did not find much. I will try some of these recipes – I do not eat fish due to being forced as a child. It means cooking 2 meals every night for some things, as my son does not eat any veg. Thanks for the great ideas.
Thank you so much for these great recipes! My husband had major abdominal surgery 10 months ago, and then suffered from obstructions due to adhesions, and was put on a low-residue diet to avoid needing yet another surgery. I have been managing to keep him fed but struggle with finding ways to make meals healthier – we end up eating a lot of pasta and rice. I have not seen many sites that have recipes for low-fiber diets, just lists of foods allowed or to avoid, so I am very happy I stumbled onto your site. Can’t wait to try some of these!
Hi there, Rachel. I’ve been away so apologies for the delay in replying to you. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how helpful you have found food to glow. I hope you try some of the recipes. I am still trying to find the time to put together an ebook of recipes, so do check back. I hope your husband can return to more normal eating soon.
Hello Kellie, reading your recipe`s and comments & reply`s, brought me to this question. My Mom have recently been diagnosed with Bowel Obstruction, also due to adhesions, and then, she has “hiatal hernia” too. Me and my dad are still learning what to give her and what to avoid. My question here, is if Bowel Obstruction is a temporary state, and is there hope for us that she can eat normal with us again? The doctor said he will rather not take the risk of operations in future unless for life saving reasons. Thus I am aware of taking her diet very seriously. However, I do hope that this might be only temporary for the bowel obstruction?
Thank you for the recipe`s you posted, your support is very much appreciated and I am eager to try some of these, and also like having more recipe`s and newsfeed on new tips.
Kind Regards,
Leoni Breedt
Kellie, this website is a boost to my flagging morale. There are plenty of recipes/diets for high fibre diets and my husband needs to eat plenty of fibre which makes it a real chore to think up different, interesting meals for me. I am going to try a few of these this weekend. I especially like the sound of the Savoury Bread and Butter pudding!
I am actually making it for some people on a course at the cancer centre I work this coming week. It is so amenable to tweaking to individual taste. I hope your husband likes it. 🙂
My husband is on a short term low fibre before having bowel surgery next week and your recipes are an inspiration. No need to make separate meals now I’ve found your site. I have a friend who’s husband has just had surgery for bowel cancer and she had warned me that when husband had to go on to low fibre I would end up resorting to boiled chicken and poached fish. How wrong she was !! I will tell her about your site. It is bad enough coping with illness, but to then think you have to eat a bland cardboard diet is awful.
I made spaghetti carbonara last night using smoked bacon with all the fat cut off and hubbie really enjoyed it. I’m certain it’s low fibre as I studied all the ingredients thoroughly.
Thank again for your great recipes.
Thanks for much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment. I really appreciate it. DO pass on these details to anyone (friends, family, doctors) who may be interested. The rest of the blog is full of colourful plant-based recipes so will possibly have wider interest in the long term. Best regards to you and your family.
Reading the letters above make me realise that I am so very lucky. My mother died of bowel cancer aged 53 back in 1987 and as a matter of precaution I have had surveillance colonoscopies since turning 45. My last one, aged 51 and earlier this year revealed pre-cancerous polyps which were removed, and I have another on Wednesday. I love to cook and have two teenage daughters so have found your site whilst researching recipes for tomorrow, when I have to begin my bowel prep on a low fibre diet. My younger daughter has decided to go gluten free as she was having horrible bloating & nausea following eating certain foods, and she has found that this helps. I think that occasional low-fibre recipes interspersed with her normal diet will also help her. Thank you so much, and I look forward to reading your new recipes in due course.
Thanks for your lovely comment, Christine. I hope to add more low fibre recipes soon, and possibly get my act together for an ebook. I hope your tests went well. All best, Kellie
Hello, Thanks so much for this blog and in particular for how to eat healthily on a low fibre diet. I had major surgery last year, due to appendicitis which had caused a really bad infection. The surgeons had to convert to open surgery and remove a part of my bowel in case it was bowel cancer. Since then I have made a good recovery, but recently have had lots of pain due to adhesions and partial blockages in the small bowel. I’ve been advised to go onto a low fibre diet and I’m hoping to avoid further surgery. I’m vegetarian (and I don’t eat fish), so lots of the recipies above aren’t suitable for me. Do you have any recipe suggestions for healthy vegetarian low fibre diets? Or any other websites/blogs that you would recommend? Thanks so much, Roxy
Hi Roxy. First of all thanks for the kind comment about my blog. I am sorry that you are having a tricky time just now but pleased that you have been recommended to go on a low fibre diet. The tricky thing with being a vegetarian is that nearly all of the healthy aspects also contain quite a hefty whack of fibre. Of course juicing is always good for extra nutrients but as for the protein, the go-to veggie choices all pretty much are fibrous too – nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains. I don’t have any recipes specifically for veggies on low-fibre (I see very few people who are on low-fibre that are strict vegetarians) but I will need to address that at some point. What I would recommend is to get the recommendation of a good protein supplement drink to add in to your diet. You should be able to have peeled and cooked vegetables, juices that kind of thing so you should be able to cover those nutritional bases fairly easily. Lower fat cheese like cottage cheese and mozzarella, as well as eggs, are also good to add in to the diet. Some of my recipes in the ‘regular’ part of my blog can be adapted too. But mostly the blog devotes itself to getting plant food – and fibre – into people. Low fibre-vegetarian is tricky but perhaps a protein supplement will help. Also, if you can bring yourself to eat fish, that is super easy to digest and very nourishing on a low-fibre diet. All best.
Dear Kellie, Thank you so much for replying. I hadn’t considered looking at protein drinks and supplements, so I will look into that and I’ll go for the lower fat cheeses too! I have been a strict vegetarian for 20 years, so it would be difficult to eat fish now, but I suppose it depends upon how long I need to sustain this diet for – I’ll know in November what’s recommended by the surgeons. If it were possible to add a couple more veggie, high protein based recipes to your low fibre section – maybe even something nice with tofu… that would be wonderful to see. I’m sure there must be other readers who are veggies and would really appreciate this too. Thanks very much for your advice and for your blog in general. Kind Regards, Roxy
I will work on it. It is sometimes difficult to fit in full time work, family time, the regular part of the blog and the special interest sections, like this one. But I should try and carve out some time to test, write up and photograph some recipes. Must. Try. Harder! 🙂 I’m glad you appreciate what is there though.
Hi Kelly I just saw this blog hoping you can give me some ideas .I was just told I need to be on a low fiber diet. Been having stomach issue I am somewhat lactose intolerant ,as well as having ht beginning of colitis . My doc suggested I try low fiber diet .I am hoping you can give me some suggestiotns although it may be hard seeing as I am not a big fish eater an I have noticed that a lot of low fiber diets incl fish . I do however like veggies but firm what I have been reading there are limits to what type of veggie I can eat . Thank you in advance for any help you can give me ,
HI Toni. I hope you have some ideas from reading my other page, Help A Low-Fibre Diet. This page has links to a another website that lists the fibre content of many fruits and vegetables. This tables will help you make good decisions. Don’t worry about not eating fish: try tofu, ground meats and eggs. Also, try the website, bowelcanceruk.org. They have good advice there. Hope this helps. Best regards.
hi Kellie, im 27 years old and just had half of my large bowel removed due to bowel cancer and 20cm of my small bowel removed due to a blockage, 3 weeks later i am back in hospital with another bowel obstruction in the small bowel. I am ment to be coming home tomorrow because my severe stomach cramping and nausea has settled. I have been put on a low fibre diet which i intend on sticking to of fear of another surgery. I am a very fussy but plain eater, i dont like fish but i love chicken! I think your page and reciepes are fantastic and cant wait to try some of them. i was just wondering if yourself or anyone on here had a yummy chicken stir fry receipe they could send me. would be greatly appreciated and cant wait to see more reciepes on your page in the future,
thanking you
kind regards
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. You were in my spam folder, apologies. I hope you are out of hospital now and settling back into home. I’m glad you are finding my low-fibre info and recipes helpful, but to be honest stir fries and low fibre don’t really mix. You could use mostly noodles and include a small amount of pre-cooked peeled vegetables and a little spinach, as well as the chicken (minced chicken is often easier than whole), adding five spice, garlic powder and soy sauce for taste. The whole thing about stir fries is vegetables so you would need to be quite careful, at least at the early stages of your healing. Hope this helps. And best wishes for a good recovery.
Hi Kellie’, Thanks for the recipe suggestions and I would suggest that Alana tries a chicken risotto type recipe rather than stir fry, as you said. I’m even a bit nervous about spinach myself – rather go with the peeled and de-seeded courgettes and some pumpkin & carrot. Mmmm yum! My daughter made me a delicious dish the other night along these lines and it also had cinnamon & cumin, ground ginger, turmeric (1 tsp of each apparently) and finely grated zest of a lemon.
I’ll keep checking your website for more recipe ideas. Many thanks 🙂
Kind regards
Marg from NZ
Great idea with the chicken risotto. Tasty, nourishing and easy to digest if made without onions. Thanks for contributing on this thread.
i just found out my food is not digesting, i am also diebetic, i have been having sour belches smells like rotten eggs. what do you suggest i eat
You will need to seek advice from your doctor. I am not a doctor and unfortunately cannot diagnosis.
Is spinach ok to eat? Well cooked
It depends on the reason for being on low-fibre. In general it is okay to have a small amount as indicated in the article. But yes, well-cooked. If you are at risk of bowel blockage it is important to follow very carefully the doctor’s advice. If the reason is because of ibd, comfort following bowel surgery, etc then it is partly down to the patient to monitor symptoms.
Hi,
First off, thank you so much for putting together some REAL recipes! Every website I’ve found just has a list of foods I can eat on a low-fiber diet but no help putting it together. I am 23 and have been advised to be on a low fiber diet for the next three weeks and it is quite overwhelming. Thinking I was dealing with constipation for the last 8 months, I have been eating high-fiber, clean foods, only to find out I have a severely impacted colon and need the opposite of what I have come to know as healthy. The only guidelines my doctor sent to me was to “cut out fiber, salads, red meat, and eat small meals”, so this is a big help. Any other help, advice or recipes you have, I would love to hear them! Thank you.
Thank you so much for your blog. I have been put on a low fibre diet because of adhesions following diverticulitis. As other readers have mentioned Google is not very helpful! A young student dietician put me onto your site. A few questions – are bananas alright to eat. I eat 1 every day because I can get low potassium very rapidly. Also are mushrooms Ok?
One suggestion. I made the most delicious prawn risotto the other night using low sodium fish stock. Yummy
Regards from New Zealand
Judith
Hi Judith. The banana a day should be fine but I’m afraid the mushrooms may not be a good idea. However, your risk of partial blockage due to adhesions is hopefully temporary so you could perhaps see how you get on with a small amount in due course. Sometimes clinicians are happy if mushrooms are blended as then they are much less likely to block (eg in smooth soup). But that is something to double check as every case is different. The risotto sounds delicious!
Hi, I like a few others on here am vegetarian and am desperate for some ideas that can give me an element of being healthy! I have diverticulitis and was told to eat high fibre. So I increased my use of lentils, chic peas and seeds,. which I now know is the worst thing i can do in my condition. I have to be on a low residue diet until I have surgery sometime in the next few months and then after for a few months. So any ideas would be so welcome! Thank you!! (ps any ideas of almonds are ok for this diet??)
Your low fiber recipes are actually low fiber! So many that claim to be low fiber have foods in them that would send me directly to the hospital with a bowel obstruction. I am working on making a collection of truly low to no fiber recipes as well. Thank you for your inspiration.
Katie R
You’re welcome. Best wishes for your own book.
My husband has pulmonary fibrosis and has been prescribed OFEV. The most common side effect is diarrhea, which he is experiencing, and diminished appetite. As noted in comments throughout, eating has become very boring. I look forward to trying your recipes to spice things up a bit and hopefully whet his appetite. We have been living on chicken, fish, potatoes, rice, apples and bananas. The only color is in some squash. Any direction to additional recipes is surely welcomed!
Hi Beverly. I don’t know if you noticed the easy to chew and swallow recipe section in my Nutrition and Cancer section, but there are more recipes there and some links to places to find more good ones across the web. I haven’t updated the links but I hope they are all still valid. Best wishes, Kellie
Hi Kellie. I have just found your blog….very good and reassuring.I recently had an APR,hence permanent stoma..I am on a steep learning curve, learning how to manage blockages by sticking to a low residue diet.I avoid any foods grown “above” ground.no raw fruit,nuts,bran,shreddies,Weetabix ,and found to avoid bananas and chips.
I do wish that the hospital had made me more aware of what a difference diet can make,as when I had my first blockage I assumed it was food poisoning. I came across your blog by accident…it is brilliant..Thankyou
You are very welcome, Glenis. In time you should be able to eat pretty much everything you enjoyed pre-stoma but it does take a bit of trial and error. I encourage anyone adding new-old things into the diet to write them in a diary so you can keep up with the successes and the successes-in-waiting. Chewing food very very week seems to be one of the things that those with stomas tell me is one of the most important lessons. Best wishes to you.
This page is great! Thank you for the ideas.
I am hoping to try and cook a version of Christmas dinner for my mum who is unfortunately having surgery over Christmas so we will wait for her to come out before we celebrate.
She is on a low fibre diet and I think I can still do most roast dinner items for her I’m just not sure about vegetables as I keep reading different things. Are they allowed? Root vegetables must be without skins but I’m not sure about green veg. Or whether I can roast potatoes?
Also, I duck allowed or is it too fatty.
Sorry for all the questions…!
Oh that’s rough having surgery over Christmas. I feel for you all. Green veg would not be advised, and definitely peel veg. Even so, just be aware that she mightn’t be able to eat any root veg depending on how she feels. Let her be your guide. Depending on what kind of surgery and when the surgery is it might be a very restricted diet, and really on the “white” side of things. Do ask or have her ask, for specifics as low fibre advice often needs individualising. Best of luck!
Very interesting as our son in law has a stoma and recently discovered adhesions and a kink in his bowel. He is coming to terms with a change in his diet. I’m sure this site will help him.
This is an awesome recipe list! I’ve had struggles finding recipes low in fiber that my mother-in-law requires for her diet. Thanks for this list and happy holidays!
Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad the list is useful to you. It is a tricky diet but with a little creativity can be much more interesting and nutritious than would first appear.
Hi Kellie, i am looking for recipes to cook for my sister she has bowel cancer and has a tumour that is causing narrowing to her small bowels. Because she can be in a lot of pain after eating and is being sick (this isn’t due to the chemo its the build up of food not getting past her narrowing) so she had been told to go on a zero fibre diet, basically drinking stock/water, she is losing weight and needs to keep it on for the chemo otherwise they won’t continue and its her only chance if they don’t reduce it they can’t operate and it’s a rare cancer. Adding to this she is ceoliac so finding food she can eat is difficult and things that are loaded with calories. she is trying to take added supplements but they’re is only so much of that she can consume. She has been told not to have soft cheese’s and any solid foods. I am going to try some of your recipes but if you have any more ideas I’d be so grateful. cooking gluten free and no fibre is Ne-on impossible but i thick if i do soft fibre foods as her l latest dietician has suggested maybe the way forward. I just need a little help creating recipes full of goodness. i hope you can help
Were you ever able to make an ebook of low fibre recipes? I would buy it in a flash!
Hi,
Lying in hospital now, with diverticulitis, and searching for low fibre food that is actually edible.
So happy to have found your site and planning to try some of your recipes when I get home.
Thank you so much for your ideas and positive attitude. Keep up the good work.
I have been advised to maintain a low fibre diet (caused by a stricture post colon surgery) and like so many others who have commented here, I have found it nigh on impossible to find a definitive list on allowable low fibre foods, never mind tasty recipes! Luckily I stumbled across your blog, so I am feeling less depressed about these necessary diet changes. I am hugely grateful to you, thank you so much for doing this.
You are very welcome. I hope to add to these pages soon. Thank you for your kind words.
Hi Kellie
Due to adhesions in my small bowel causing blockages ,I am now on low residue,no fibre diet.,to avoid having a long op.,which may cause yet more adhesions.
I use “not allowed foods”, by including them whole,then removing after slow cooking. E,G. Shallots,,onions,whole button mushrooms, whole root ginger,garlic. Herbs wrapped in muslin . I add spices in moderation ,cumin,ginger,turmeric,cinnamon. As I can eat only small meals, I often have Fortisip in between meals. I eat only good quality food,chicken breast,finely minced beef,fish. I previously preferred vegetarian,but I now no longer can have veg. grown above ground.,or most fresh fruit? I can eat full fat dairy,hence organic milk ,cheese etc.which are much better for using in cooking.
M&S are very good for lots of low fibre ,low residue Pate,and ingredients are clearly listed.
I thought I would miss salads, fresh fruit etc. ,but no longer do,especially as eating those foods would cause a blockage in my gummed up Ileum.
When I eat out, I speak to the chef. They are very interested and keen to please.
Thanks Kellie, for your recipes,especially the fish pie.thanks to other bloggers for ideas.
Glenis
Hi Kellie – loving these recipes thank you. My mum who is 85 has just been diagnosed with an aggressive bowel cancer – the tumour was blocking her bowel and a stent has been fitted to ease her but she has been told she won’t survive cancer treatment. Otherwise she is fit and healthy for her age and has always eaten well but tiny portions – she’s not going to like this low fibre diet and at the moment it looks like this will be for the remains of her days – any ideas for tiny portions of things that taste delicious will be very welcome – I’m fine with things like fish pies etc – it’s more about compensating for the lack of crunchy veg which she loves. The other thing would be recipes that I can batch cook and freeze for her as she still insists on living alone!! many thanks
I’m afraid there’s not scope here for me to give personalised advice but the issue with crunchy veg is that it’s the fibre that makes them crunch, unfortunately. And dehydrating vegetables will consolidate the fibre of lower fibre foods and vause the same issues as more fibrous ones, just in a smaller, shrunken size. The exception would be potatoes. Homemade crisps? The only suggestion for naturally crunchy lower fibre foods are cucumber slices without skin or seeds and crisp gem lettuce. This might be enough to satisfy her desire to crunch. Some of the recipes here can be frozen. There are a few low fibre cookbooks that will offer more recipe suggestions, and I’m sure many will be freezable. I hope this helps a bit. All best, Kellie
Hi Kellie
I had all colon & rectum removed about 15yrs ago (due to FAP) & had an ileo anal pouch made. I seem to suffer IBS symptons & would be interested to hear from u regarding diet – i do sense that hi-fibre foods give me gripes.
Lyndy from Leicester UK ☺
This site is fab thank you. my dad has recently had a stoma fitted and I am really struggling with interesting foods for him as a low fibre diet as you said can be very bland. He loves onions and mushrooms but is unable to eat them. Thank you for taking the time.
These recipes look lovely, but I am on a low fibre diet and onions and garlic are on my list of things not to eat.
Hi Hannah. In all but one recipe that references onion and garlic these actually removed. It is to flavour but is strained out before eating. Most people can manage a small amount of either vegetable, but onion and garlic powder are common substitutes. Also, some people are able to tolerate the small amount of fibre contributed but it makes them feeling bloated. The recipes are adaptable to your own needs. See my Help with Low Fiber Diet for more information and links to fibre content of most fibre-containing foods 🙂
HI Kelly I have been advised to go on a permanent low fibre diet and the thought is overwhelming me. I love Italian food and seafood ,do you have any recipes that I could use. Looking through the sheet the dietician just handed me looks grim. I also love olives and tomatoes 🙂 Louise Brisbane Australia
Olives and tomatoes will be tricky but if you read through this advice and links I have, this should give you hope that you can eat pretty well with your restrictions. Tomato paste, skinned and seeded tomatoes can be used in moderation and keeping within any fibre gram guidelines you may have been given.
I have been trying to balance nutritional needs/limitations from diabetes, kidney disease and, most recently, an ileostomy. I have had 3 blockages in the last 11 months, which doctors originally told me were caused by scar tissue. I realize that eating the wrong things can contribute to the blockages as well. Unfortunately, some of the suggestions for a low-fiber, healthy ileostomy diet are very difficult for me. For example, since I take short-acting insulin based on the amount of carbs I will be eating, having multiple small meals means having to take more insulin shots. Also, some of the foods that I need to eat to thicken my(usually watery) ostomy output tends to be high-carb and require insulin. I also have multiple sclerosis, anemia and frequent bouts of dehydration, all of which undoubtedly contribute to the fact that I almost always exhausted. Frankly, I don’t think I have the time or the energy to make many of the recipes I’ve seen on your site. Do you have any simple, *easy to make* low-fiber recipes? Or suggestions for ingredients that would simplify the job (for example, a packaged version of skinned, seeded veggies for some of your recipes)?
I’m really sorry that you are having so many issues – it does indeed sound very exhausting. Unfortunately I don’t have any other recipes to recommend that are so specific to your needs. But with the multiple conditions and restrictions that you have I would urge you to get an appointment with a dietitian who can help to develop a diet and recipes that suit you.
Thank you for your wonderful recipes. I have had several abdominal surgeries the past year and therefor I have a ileostomy. Would it be fine if I start with the low fiber diet? Hope to hear from you. Thank you again for the good work what you are doing. Kind regards
Estie
Hi Estie. Thank you for your kind words. Depending on your current symptoms and when you had your most recent surgery (for ileostomy I’m presuming) it could be a good way to reduce discomfort and audio healing. Please discuss with your doctor first though. Low fiber can be an incredibly useful thing to do for clone but it needs to be approved and supported by your doctor. They can monitor your progress and tell you how long to be on it – you can easily miss out on vital nutrients. For ileostomy especially generally it is used for the time when you are healing from surgery but one would want to start adding fiber fairly soon. But that needs to be discussed with doctor or surgeon. I hope this helps.
Wow! Thank you for the lovely Indian Stew recipe. My daughter has to eat a low fibre diet as she is having a barium meal with follow through xray tomorrow, so we were a bit stuck for ideas – this was delicious!
That’s so great to get your feedback. Thank you. I hope all goes well for your daughter.
Hello Kellie , Thanks for sharing your lovely blog with ,Seriously it helps me alot and I definetly try these recipes.Keep posting like this.
Hi there Kellie – I am pre- everything – treatment and surgery, then probably reverse surgery, and investigating an area of life that I have only heard about before. In the face of substantial changes and challenges, and trying to think through how I need to prepare for this next stage of my life, before things may feel overwhelming, it was refreshing to see your website name – “food to glow” with that positive sense that life and enjoyment continues. Thank you! I shall try out some of these recipes ahead of time, so that when I need to cook for myself, I have already have had a trial run with new ingredients, combinations and ways of doing things, which I am sure will add to my own ability to be creative. Thank you for running with your passion and making these recipes available.
Thank you so much for your most kind comments. I really appreciate you taking the time not only to read on this page, but to take the time to write. I wish you all the best with everything.
Hello Kellie , I really like your blog and your healthy recipes too , Actually one year back , I had accident and due to that I suffer from major knee problem and after that doctor had advised me to eat healthy food , and your healthy recipes definitely help me a lot and keep sharing like these kinds of recipes ,that can help people like me .
Thank you x
what lovely recipes i should have come here sooner. i am recovering from bowel blockage surgery and I just don’t have taste for anything little soup and that is all. i am starting to get hungry it will take long time for me get better. but i will give these recipes to my husband so he can cook for me! thank you very much.