Low-Fibre & Colonoscopy Diet: Complete Guide
Last updated: 20 February 2026
A low fibre diet (or low fiber diet) limits high-fibre foods to reduce bowel work and stool bulk. It is often used short-term before a colonoscopy diet (a low fiber diet for colonoscopy) or as part of a low residue diet for the same purpose. Some people follow a diverticulitis diet or diverticular disease diet that is low in fibre during an acute flare, then gradually add fibre back. A low fiber diet foods list helps you choose allowed foods and avoid those that are high in fibre. This diet is for medical reasons only and should be followed only as your doctor or dietitian advises. This guide explains what the low fibre and low residue diets are, how the colonoscopy diet and diverticulitis diet fit in, what to eat and avoid, benefits and risks, and a sample day. Always follow your healthcare team’s instructions, especially for colonoscopy preparation.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for education only and does not replace advice from your doctor or dietitian. A low fibre or colonoscopy diet is prescribed for specific reasons. Do not start or stop it without your doctor’s guidance. For colonoscopy, follow your hospital’s or doctor’s prep instructions exactly.
Below you will find what a low fibre diet and low residue diet are, the colonoscopy diet and low fiber diet for colonoscopy, the diverticulitis diet and diverticular disease diet, low fiber diet foods to eat and avoid (with a table), benefits and risks, a sample day, and answers to common questions. You can use our calorie calculator and TDEE calculator with your doctor or dietitian when you can return to a normal diet.
What is the low fibre diet?
A low fibre diet restricts foods that are high in fibre–whole grains, many raw or fibrous vegetables and fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit–so that less bulk passes through the bowel. It is used for a short time when the bowel needs to work less or when stool volume must be reduced (e.g. before a colonoscopy, or during some gut flares). A low residue diet is similar: it limits foods that leave more “residue” in the gut and is often used in the same situations. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably. A colonoscopy diet or low fiber diet for colonoscopy typically means a low fibre/low residue phase for a few days, then clear liquids (and usually a bowel prep) as your hospital instructs. A diverticulitis diet during an acute flare is often low fibre to rest the bowel; after the flare, fibre is usually increased gradually. For diverticular disease without an acute attack, many guidelines now recommend a high-fibre diverticular disease diet for prevention–so the diverticulitis diet (low fibre) is for the acute phase only. Your doctor or dietitian will give you a low fiber diet foods list and duration. There are no phases beyond what your doctor prescribes.
Core principles
- Limit high-fibre foods: wholegrains, raw vegetables, skins and seeds, legumes, nuts, dried fruit.
- Choose refined grains, well-cooked vegetables without skins, canned or ripe fruit without skins, lean protein, and low-fibre dairy.
- Follow only for the time your doctor or dietitian specifies; then reintroduce fibre as advised.
How the low fibre and colonoscopy diet work
Less fibre means less indigestible material in the gut, so less stool bulk and less work for the bowel. For a colonoscopy diet or low fiber diet for colonoscopy, this helps empty the bowel so the procedure can be done safely. For a diverticulitis diet during a flare, a short low-fibre period may help rest the bowel before fibre is reintroduced. The low residue diet works in a similar way. There are no optional phases–you follow the plan for as long as your doctor says, then resume or increase fibre as instructed. Do not use a low fibre diet for weight loss or long-term; it is not nutritionally complete and can lack fibre and some nutrients.
What to eat and what to avoid: low fiber diet foods
The table below is a general guide to low fiber diet foods. Your doctor or hospital may give you a different list (e.g. for low fiber diet for colonoscopy they may restrict red/purple foods or specify exact days). Always follow their instructions.
| Eat (low fibre / low residue) | Eat in moderation | Avoid (high fibre) |
|---|---|---|
| White bread, white rice, refined pasta, plain crackers | Well-cooked vegetables without skins (e.g. carrot, green beans) | Whole grains, brown rice, wholegrain bread |
| Ripe banana, canned fruit without skin or seeds, melon (no seeds) | Peeled, cooked potato | Raw vegetables, legumes (beans, lentils), nuts, seeds |
| Lean meat, fish, eggs, poultry; milk, yogurt, cheese (if allowed) | – | Dried fruit, berries with seeds, popcorn, skins and pips |
For a colonoscopy diet, your instructions may also say when to switch to clear liquids only. For a diverticulitis diet or diverticular disease diet, your dietitian may tailor the list. Use this table as a starting point and confirm with your healthcare team.
Potential benefits (with caveats)
Benefits are for specific medical situations only. The low fibre diet does not treat disease on its own.
- Colonoscopy preparation: A low fiber diet for colonoscopy and then clear liquids help empty the bowel so the examination is safe and clear. Follow your hospital’s colonoscopy diet instructions exactly.
- Bowel rest: A short low fibre diet or low residue diet may be used during some gut flares (e.g. acute diverticulitis diet) to reduce bowel work. Your doctor will say when to add fibre back.
Evidence: low fibre/low residue and clear liquids are standard for colonoscopy prep. For diverticulitis, guidelines vary; acute flares are often managed with a temporary low-fibre phase and medical care. A diverticular disease diet when well is often high-fibre. Discuss your case with your doctor or dietitian.
Risks and who should be cautious
A low fibre diet is not suitable for long-term use.
- Too little fibre: Long-term low fibre can cause constipation and may increase the risk of certain conditions. Use only for the period your doctor advises.
- Nutrients: Limiting wholegrains, legumes, and many vegetables can reduce some vitamins and minerals. A short course is usually fine; a dietitian can help if you need this diet for longer.
- Colonoscopy: If you do not follow the colonoscopy diet or low fiber diet for colonoscopy as instructed, the procedure may be cancelled or repeated. Follow your hospital’s prep sheet exactly.
- Diverticulitis: Do not self-prescribe a diverticulitis diet or diverticular disease diet–flare management and when to use low vs high fibre must be decided by your doctor.
Before starting a low fibre or low residue diet, speak to your doctor or dietitian.
Sample day (low fibre)
This is one example of a day that fits a general low fibre diet–not a substitute for your doctor’s or hospital’s instructions. For a low fiber diet for colonoscopy, use the exact colonoscopy diet and timing they give you.
- Breakfast: White toast with butter or jam, ripe banana, eggs. Avoid wholegrain bread and high-fibre cereals.
- Lunch: White rice or refined pasta with skinless chicken or fish; well-cooked carrots or green beans (no skins). Plain yogurt if allowed.
- Dinner: Lean meat or fish, mashed or peeled potato, well-cooked vegetable without skin. White bread if desired.
- Snacks: Canned fruit (no skin), plain crackers, ripe banana. Avoid nuts, seeds, wholegrains, and raw vegetables.
As you approach the colonoscopy date, your colonoscopy diet will usually switch to clear liquids only–follow your prep sheet. For related diets, see our bland and soft diet and liquid diet guides.
Frequently asked questions
A low fibre diet limits high-fibre foods (whole grains, many raw vegetables and fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds) to reduce bowel work or stool bulk. It is often used short-term before a colonoscopy (as part of a colonoscopy diet) or during some gut conditions. It is not for long-term use–your doctor or dietitian will say when to reintroduce fibre.
A low residue diet is similar to a low fibre diet: it limits foods that leave more residue in the gut, so less bulk and less work for the bowel. It overlaps with low fibre diet and is often used before colonoscopy or during flares. Your doctor will advise if and when you need it.
The colonoscopy diet (or low fiber diet for colonoscopy) is the eating plan before a colonoscopy. It usually includes a low fibre/low residue phase for a few days, then clear liquids the day before. Follow your hospital’s or doctor’s instructions exactly–they may restrict certain colours (e.g. no red/purple) or specific foods.
You can eat refined grains (white bread, white rice), well-cooked vegetables without skins or seeds, ripe bananas, canned fruit without skin, lean meat, fish, eggs, and low-fibre dairy. Low fiber diet foods to avoid include wholegrains, raw vegetables, most legumes, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. See the table above for a full list.
During an acute diverticulitis flare, a diverticulitis diet is often low fibre to rest the bowel; then fibre is increased gradually. For diverticular disease without acute flare, guidelines often recommend a high-fibre diet. A diverticular disease diet should be tailored by your doctor or dietitian–do not self-prescribe.
Only as long as your doctor advises. Before colonoscopy it might be a few days. After a flare or surgery, your doctor or dietitian will say when to add fibre back. A low fibre diet is not nutritionally complete for long-term use–it is for short-term medical reasons only.
Summary
A low fibre diet (or low fiber diet) and low residue diet limit high-fibre foods for short-term medical use–for example as part of a colonoscopy diet or low fiber diet for colonoscopy, or during an acute diverticulitis diet. Use a low fiber diet foods list to choose allowed foods and avoid wholegrains, raw vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. A diverticular disease diet when you are well is often high-fibre; the low-fibre diverticulitis diet is for the acute flare only. Do not follow a low fibre diet longer than your doctor or dietitian advises. For colonoscopy, always follow your hospital’s prep instructions. See our bland and soft diet and liquid diet guides for related information.
Use our calculators with this diet
Set your calorie target and plan meals with our free tools.
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Other diet guides that may fit your goals.
Bland, soft & BRAT diet
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IBS & low-FODMAP diet
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Gastritis, GERD & digestive diet
Diet for gastritis, GERD, bariatric and gastroparesis. Tailored to condition.
Renal (kidney) diet
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Sources and further reading
This article is based on current clinical guidance. For more detail, see:
- Colonoscopy preparation guidelines (diet and bowel prep) from gastroenterology societies
- Guidance on diet in diverticular disease and acute diverticulitis (e.g. NICE, AGA)
- Clinical guidance on low fibre and low residue diets
Last updated: 20 February 2026. Content is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.