How to Eat Less Fiber

Most dietary fiber comes from grains, fruits and vegetables. Health practitioners urge us to increase the fiber in our diets. However, sometimes it's necessary to eat less fiber. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease may need to restrict fiber intake as well as patients following intestinal surgery. A low-fiber diet provides less than 15 grams of fiber a day.

Instructions

1. Remove the skins from all fruits and vegetables. You must also remove the seeds, hulls and any other fibrous portions from produce before eating it.

2. Choose fruits and vegetables that have low-fiber content. You can choose from bananas, canned fruits, green beans, sweet potatoes with the skin removed, beets or squash with the seeds removed.

3. Restrict your intake of seeds, peanuts and other nuts. Smooth peanut butter and other smooth nut butters are an acceptable vegetarian source of protein. Vegetarians can also increase their dairy intake to receive adequate protein.

4. Eliminate beans and other legumes in the diet. Replace beans with other protein sources such as eggs, poultry, seafood, beef and pork.

5. Eat refined grains made with white flour. The words "whole grain" or "whole wheat" on a product label usually signify high fiber. Acceptable low-fiber choices include white bread, grits, pasta, white rice, tortillas and corn flakes.

6. Drink fruit and vegetable juice prepared without pulp. Clear juices such as apple or white grape juices are better choices than citrus juices, which can have residual pulp that adds traces of fiber after processing.

7. Watch for hidden fiber in snacks and condiments. For example, pickle relish and popcorn aren't appropriate in a low-fiber diet.