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Modified fibre diet for the prevention of bowel obstruction
This resource is for people who are at risk of bowel obstructions, usually due to a
narrowing in the bowel (stricture) or tumour causing a partial blockage. Because this is a
restrictive diet, it is important to make sure you understand the reason for the diet and how
long you need to follow it for.
What is fibre?
Fibre is the part of the plant that humans cannot digest. It passes through the bowels mostly
undigested, giving bulk to the stool. It can also act as a sponge to help absorb fluid and
soften the stool.
Why modify fibre in the diet?
• For most people, a high fibre diet is good for keeping the bowels healthy.
• However, as fibre, particularly insoluble fibre, provides bulk to the stool, it may
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increase the risk of bowel obstruction for
bowel.
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• Reducing the amount of fibre passing through narrowed parts of the bowel may help
reduce the risk of food causing a bowel obstruction.
• Symptoms of bowel obstruction include:
o Pain
o Abdominal (belly) cramping
o Gas/bloating
o Nausea (feeling sick in the stomach)/ vomiting
o Feeling of fullness
Follow your doctor’s advice if you have obstructive symptoms.
This is a consensus document from Dietitian/ Nutritionists from the Nutrition Education Materials Online, "NEMO", team.
Disclaimer: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/disclaimer Reviewed: September 2022
Copyright: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/copyright-statement Due for review: September 2024
Different types of fibre
SOLUBLE FIBRE INSOLUBLE FIBRE
Dissolves in water to form a thick gel in your Found in the rough, hard part of the plant, for
bowels and softens the stool. example skins, grains and seeds. It does not
dissolve in water and adds bulk to the stool.
• Bananas • Fruit (skin and seeds have the most fibre)
• Oats and oat bran • Vegetables (skin and seeds)
• Legumes and pulses (e.g. kidney beans, • Whole-grain products e.g. breads, pasta,
chickpeas) brown rice, quinoa
• Okra, eggplant • Nuts and seeds
• Wheat and rice bran
How to reduce insoluble fibre in the diet?
• Remove stalks, stems, pips, seeds and skins from fruit and vegetables.
• Chop and cook vegetables well.
• Reduce tough, fibrous fruit and vegetables – chop these foods finely where possible (e.g.
celery, mango).
• Avoid dried fruits, nuts and seeds.
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Strain fruit and vegetable juices and soups.
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• Avoid wholegrain, high fibre breads and cereals. Use white varieties where possible.
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How to prevent constipation on a modified fibre diet?
• Eat low/moderate fibre fruits and vegetables (see table below) with stalks, stems, pips,
seeds and skins removed.
• Puree or soft/well-cooked fruit and vegetables may be better tolerated than fresh/raw.
• Drink plenty of water. Most people need around 8-10 glasses of fluids per day.
• Discuss with your doctor if constipation is still a problem.
General hints
• Follow a diet low in fibre, particularly low insoluble fibre.
• Chew all food well.
• Eat slowly in a relaxed setting.
• Cook your food well – this can make some foods easier to digest.
• Avoid any food that is tough or stringy (e.g. tough gristly meat).
• Some people find they need to have soft/puree foods to limit symptoms.
This is a consensus document from Dietitian/ Nutritionists from the Nutrition Education Materials Online, "NEMO", team.
Disclaimer: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/disclaimer Reviewed: September 2022
Copyright: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/copyright-statement Due for review: September 2024
• Read food labels and avoid foods stating they are high in fibre.
• Eat 6-8 small meals instead of 3 large meals.
• Have a variety of foods across the 5 food groups (choosing foods from the following
table).
FOOD GROUP INCLUDE INCLUDE MODERATE LIMIT
AMOUNTS of soluble
(low in total fibre) (high insoluble and total
fibre as desired
fibre)
Bread, cereals, • White bread, • Oats/oatmeal, instant, • Wholemeal or wholegrain
rice, pasta, crumpets, scones, cooked (½ cup) bread
noodles English muffins • Breakfast biscuits/bars • Bread containing intact
• White pita bread (2 biscuits/ ½ bar) grains, nuts, seeds,
• Refined breakfast • Barley, cooked (¼ cup) coconut or dried fruit
cereals e.g. Rice • Chia seeds (1 • Oat bran - unprocessed,
Bubbles, Cornflakes teaspoon) raw
• White rice, pasta, • Sourdough bread (2 • Wholegrain breakfast
sago, tapioca, thin slices) cereals or any with dried
semolina • Light rye bread (1 thin fruit, nuts or coconut e.g.
• White flour, cornflour slice) Muesli, All-Bran, Weetbix
• Plain sweet and • Wild rice, brown rice,
savoury biscuits or brown pasta
cakes • Wholemeal flour,
• Low fibre crackers
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• Rice cakes/Corn thins • Sweet and savoury
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with seeds, nuts, dried
fruit or coconut
Dairy foods • All varieties of milk • Desserts containing • Desserts containing dried
• Plain yoghurt, custard, peeled and stewed fruit fruit, chunky fruit pieces,
vanilla Fruche, plain • Nutritional supplements nuts, seeds or coconut
cheese, plain or with fibres • Milkshakes made with
flavoured ice cream whole fruits, seeds and
high fibre cereals
Meat, fish, • Any tender, soft meat, • Smooth nut butters (1 • Nuts & seeds
poultry, eggs, chicken and fish tablespoon) • Crunchy nuts or seed
nuts, legumes • Tofu • Legumes e.g. baked butters (e.g. peanut butter,
• Eggs and soy products beans, kidney beans (2 tahini)
tablespoons)
This is a consensus document from Dietitian/ Nutritionists from the Nutrition Education Materials Online, "NEMO", team.
Disclaimer: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/disclaimer Reviewed: September 2022
Copyright: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/copyright-statement Due for review: September 2024
FOOD GROUP INCLUDE INCLUDE MODERATE LIMIT
AMOUNTS of soluble
(low in total fibre) (high insoluble and total
fibre as desired
fibre)
Vegetables Ensure vegetables are Ensure vegetables are Raw vegetables
peeled and well-cooked peeled and well-cooked
where able: where able • Vegetables without
seeds/skins removed
• Potato • Eggplant (1 cup) • Stringy vegetables (e.g.
• Pumpkin • Sweet potato, no skin celery, broccoli stems,
• Zucchini (¼ cup) bean sprouts, asparagus)
• Cauliflower and • Carrot, peeled (¼ cup) • Vegetables with tough
broccoli florets • Turnip, cooked (½ cup) skins (e.g. peas, corn)
• Mushrooms • Onion, cooked (½ cup) • Avoid all other vegetables
• Okra, cooked (½ cup) not listed in foods to
• Silverbeet (½ cup) include.
Suitable salad • Spinach (¼ cup)
vegetables are: • Canned diced tomato
• Tomato and cucumber (½ can)
with skins and seeds
removed
• Iceberg lettuce (1cup)
• Capsicum (1 cup)
cooked My
• Well strained My
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vegetable juice Nutrition
• Tomato puree or paste
Fruit • Melons (no seeds) • Banana (1 small) • Fruit with skin, pips or of a
• Well-cooked fruit no • Apple, no skin (1 small) very “fibrous” texture - e.g.
skin/pips • Cherries/seedless pears, pineapple
• Canned fruits except grapes (1 cup) • Dried fruit
pineapple • Oranges, pips removed • Fruit with small seeds
• Fruit juice – no pulp (1 small) (e.g. kiwi fruit, figs, dates,
• Mango, pomegranate)
pawpaw/papaya (2/3 • Strawberries/Raspberries/
cup) Blackberries
• Grapefruit (1 small) • Juice with pulp
• Peeled peaches &
nectarine, plum (1
medium)
• Blueberries (½ cup)
This is a consensus document from Dietitian/ Nutritionists from the Nutrition Education Materials Online, "NEMO", team.
Disclaimer: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/disclaimer Reviewed: September 2022
Copyright: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/copyright-statement Due for review: September 2024
FOOD GROUP INCLUDE INCLUDE MODERATE LIMIT
AMOUNTS of soluble
(low in total fibre) (high insoluble and total
fibre as desired
fibre)
Miscellaneous • All fats including • Chutney and pickles • Popcorn
butter, margarine, • Coconut
mayonnaise, oils • Chocolate with nuts and
• Sugar, honey, syrups fruit
• Boiled lollies, jubes, • Jams or pastes with nuts
chocolate with no fruit, and seeds
nuts or coconut
• Spreads without seeds
or skin
• Broths/soup made
from allowed
ingredients
• Desserts made from
allowed foods (jelly,
ice-cream, custard)
• Gravy, salt, pepper,
dried herbs & spices
Summary:
• My fibre) to reduce your risk of bowel
Modify your fibre intake (particularly insoluble
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obstructions. Nutrition
• Remove stalks, stems, pips, seeds and skins from fruit and vegetables.
• Cook and chew your food well.
• See your doctor if experiencing symptoms of a bowel obstruction.
For further information, contact your dietitian or nutritionist: ___________________
This is a consensus document from Dietitian/ Nutritionists from the Nutrition Education Materials Online, "NEMO", team.
Disclaimer: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/disclaimer Reviewed: September 2022
Copyright: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/copyright-statement Due for review: September 2024
Suggested meal plan
BREAKFAST
1 Glass strained fruit juice
Rice bubbles/ ½ cup cooked oats with milk
White toast /sourdough bread / crumpets with margarine / butter / honey / jam (no seeds) /
vegemite
Egg / cheese if desired
LUNCH
Tender meat / chicken / fish / egg / cheese
White bread with margarine / butter
Tinned fruit/ 1x fresh banana/ 1x peeled peach/ ½ cup blueberries with custard or yoghurt
Cup of tea / coffee
DINNER
Soup (made with allowed ingredients)
Tender meat / chicken / fish / egg / cheese
Potato (peeled) / white rice / pasta/ ¼ cup cooked barley / 1 tsp of chia seeds sprinkled
Allowed vegetables – peeled and well cooked My
Bowl of plain ice cream
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Cup of tea / coffee Nutrition
SNACKS
Melons, tinned fruit, 1x small banana, ½ cup blueberries, 1x peeled nectarine, 1x peeled
peach, yoghurt, milk, cheese & low-fibre crackers
This is a consensus document from Dietitian/ Nutritionists from the Nutrition Education Materials Online, "NEMO", team.
Disclaimer: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/disclaimer Reviewed: September 2022
Copyright: www.health.qld.gov.au/global/copyright-statement Due for review: September 2024
