If your doctor says you have an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, they may tell you to follow a low-residue diet.
You’ll eat more foods that are easy for your body to break down and less foods that aren’t.
A low fiber diet means limiting high fiber foods like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes But what about meat? Can you still enjoy bacon and other processed meats on a low fiber diet?
The short answer is yes, you can eat bacon on a low fiber diet. Processed meats like bacon, ham, and hotdogs are typically low in fiber and allowed on restrictive diets. Let’s take a closer look at the specifics of a low fiber diet and the role of meat.
What Is a Low Fiber Diet?
Fiber refers to the parts of plant foods that your body cannot fully break down and absorb. There are two main types:
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Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract. It is found in oats, beans, lentils, and fruits
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Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and passes through the digestive system in close to its original form. It is found in foods like wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains.
Both types of fiber provide health benefits but too much fiber can cause issues for some people A low fiber diet usually restricts fiber intake to 10-15 grams per day. For comparison, the daily recommended intake of fiber is 25-30 grams for adults
Reasons why someone may need to follow a low fiber diet include:
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Digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or bowel obstruction
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Preparation for a colonoscopy procedure
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Recovery after bowel surgery
The goal is to allow the digestive system to rest and heal by reducing the amount of undigested material that has to move through the colon. A low fiber diet is often temporary during periods of flare-ups or recovery.
Low Fiber Diet Guidelines
A low fiber diet limits high fiber fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and coconut. Some examples of foods to avoid or limit include:
- Whole wheat or multigrain breads and cereals
- Oatmeal, bran cereal, granola
- Brown or wild rice
- Dried beans and lentils
- Most raw fruits and vegetables
- Dried fruits like raisins, prunes, and dates
- Nuts and seeds
- Coconut
- Popcorn
Instead, the diet focuses on refined grains, starchy vegetables, and fruits without skin or seeds. Some foods that are usually allowed include:
- White bread, pasta, crackers, pancakes, and rice cakes
- Plain potatoes without skin, white rice
- Canned or cooked fruits and vegetables without seeds, like applesauce or pumpkin
- Bananas, melons, ripe papaya
- Chicken, fish, eggs, tofu
- Dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese if tolerated
- Oils, butter, creamy nut butters like peanut butter
Meat and poultry do not naturally contain fiber so they are permitted on a low fiber diet. Processed meats like bacon, sausage, ham, bologna, and hot dogs are allowed. When preparing meat opt for less fatty cuts and well-cooked methods. Avoiding excess fat is important for overall health.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Bacon on a Low Fiber Diet?
While bacon and other processed meats are low in fiber, there are some potential downsides to keep in mind:
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High in fat and calories: Bacon is high in saturated fat and calories, with about 43 calories and 3.5 grams of fat per slice. Eating too much could lead to unwanted weight gain.
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Increases risk of certain diseases: Studies link eating processed meat to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer. It’s best to eat them in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
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May be high in salt: Processed meats like bacon often contain a lot of added sodium. This may need to be limited for those with high blood pressure or certain medical conditions. Compare brands and look for lower-sodium options.
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Can trigger digestive symptoms: While low in fiber, bacon still contains some fat and salt that could irritate symptoms for people with conditions like IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis. Monitor your response.
Tips for Following a Low Fiber Diet
If you need to follow a low fiber diet, be sure to get guidance from your doctor or dietitian. Here are some tips that can help:
- Read food labels and choose products with less than 3 grams of fiber per serving
- Look up the fiber content of foods online if they are not labeled
- Drink plenty of fluids daily
- Increase fiber slowly back into your diet, under medical supervision
- Choose oatmeal or white rice over whole grains
- Remove skins from fruits and vegetables before cooking
- Opt for smooth nut butters over chunky
- Try a fiber supplement like Benefiber to boost fiber intake slowly
The Bottom Line
Bacon and other processed meats can be eaten in moderation on a low fiber diet. While low in fiber, bacon is high in fat and sodium so it’s best to consume it sparingly. Check with your healthcare provider for personalized advice on following a low fiber diet and reintroducing higher fiber foods. With some adjustments, you can still enjoy meat as part of an overall healthy, low fiber meal plan.
What Is a Low-Residue Diet?
It limits high-fiber foods, like whole-grain breads and cereals, nuts, seeds, raw or dried fruits, and vegetables.
“Residue” is undigested food, including fiber, that makes up stool. The goal of the diet is to have fewer, smaller bowel movements each day. That will ease symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, gas, and stomach cramping.
Your doctor may tell you to follow this diet for a short time during a flare-up or after surgery to help you get better.
What You Can Eat
Grains
- Rich or refined white breads and plain crackers, like Melba toast or saltines (no seeds).
- Cooked cereals, like farina, cream of wheat, and grits
- Cold cereals, like puffed rice and corn flakes
- White rice, noodles, and refined pasta
Fruits and Vegetables
Vegetable and fruit skins and seeds are often high in fiber, so peel them and stay away from the seeds.
These vegetables are OK:
- vegetable tips, beets, green beans, carrots, mushrooms, spinach, squash (no seeds), and pumpkin that are well-cooked or canned and don’t have seeds
- Cooked potatoes without skin
- Tomato sauce (no seeds)
Fruits on the good list include:
- Ripe bananas
- Soft cantaloupe
- Honeydew
- Fruits that are cooked or canned but don’t have seeds or skin, like applesauce or canned pears
- Avocado
Milk and Dairy
Theyre OK in moderation. Milk has no fiber, but it may trigger symptoms like diarrhea and cramping if youre lactose intolerant. You could take lactase supplements or buy lactose-free foods if you are someone who has trouble digesting dairy foods.
Meats
Animal products dont have fiber. You can eat pork, beef, lamb, chicken, fish (no bones), and fish as long as they’re healthy, lean, and soft. Eggs are OK, too.
Fats, Sauces, and Condiments
These are all on the diet:
- Margarine, butter, and oils
- Mayonnaise and ketchup
- Sour cream
- Smooth sauces and salad dressing
- Soy sauce
- Clear jelly, honey, and syrup
Sweets and Snacks
You can satisfy your sweet tooth on a low-residue diet. These desserts and snacks are OK to eat in moderation:
- Plain cakes and cookies
- Gelatin, plain puddings, custard, and sherbet
- Ice cream and ice pops
- Hard candy
- Pretzels (not whole-grain varieties)
- Vanilla wafers
Drinks
Safe beverages include:
- Decaffeinated tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks (caffeine can make you sick)
- Milk
- Apple, no-pulp orange, and cranberry juices are examples of juices that don’t have seeds or pulp.
- Strained vegetable juices
What If You Eat BACON Every Day For 30 Days?
What foods are low in fiber?
Look for foods that have no more than 1 to 2 grams of fiber in one serving. Avoid these foods and products made with them: Nuts, seeds, dried fruit and coconut. Whole grains, popcorn, wheat germ and bran. Brown rice, wild rice, oatmeal, granola, shredded wheat, quinoa, bulgur and barley. Dried beans, baked beans, lima beans, peas and lentils.
What is a low fiber diet?
A diet low in fiber is mainly composed of ultra-processed, industrialized foods, prepared with refined flours, fried foods, baked goods, sweets, sugary foods, and soft drinks. One of its main characteristics is that the Western diet is low in fiber, marked by the absence of fruits, vegetables, whole foods and a high consumption of fast foods.
Can a low-fiber diet help a bowel obstruction?
Following a low-fiber diet can help lessen these side effects. A bowel obstruction is when something completely or partly blocks food from moving through your bowels. A tumor or scar tissue from a surgery can cause a bowel obstruction. It’s harder for high-fiber foods to pass through your bowels.
What foods can you eat on a low-fiber diet?
A low-fiber diet limits the types of vegetables, fruits and grains that you can eat. Some of the foods that are allowed on a low-fiber diet include milk, cheese, yogurt, meat, fish and eggs. People who are lactose intolerant should avoid milk and dairy products if they cause stomach pain or diarrhea.
Can one eat bacon with diverticulosis?
You can eat bacon with diverticulosis, but it is not the most recommended. In a person with diverticulosis, it is recommended to consume foods with soluble fiber such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
Can you eat more fiber if you have IBS?
In general, eating more fiber is recommended for people with IBS. However, at times a healthcare provider may recommend a lower-fiber diet to deal with symptoms such as bloating. A diet low in FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) might be recommended. In this diet, foods higher in FODMAPs are avoided.