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A B C D F G H I K L M N O P S U W All Documents
Fiber and Lactose
Two common food substances that can cause problems with diarrhea include fiber and lactose.
Fiber
Fiber comes from the portion of plants that is not digested and, therefore, passes intact through the digestive tract. There are two classes of fiber: those that dissolve in water (soluble) and those that do not (insoluble). Insoluble fiber can increase the rate of food passing through the digestive tract, whereas soluble fiber can decrease the rate.
If your intestinal tract is irritated, the normal amount of insoluble fiber may be too much. And, minimizing your intake of insoluble fiber may help relieve diarrhea.
Insoluble Fiber
To reduce the amount of insoluble fiber in your diet, avoid the following foods:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Wheat bran
- Whole grains
- Dried fruits
Instead of the foods above, try to eat the following:
Tender Cooked Vegetables -- Examples include canned or cooked tender asparagus, beets, carrots, pumpkin or squash. Canned or Cooked Fruits -- Examples include canned applesauce, apricots, peaches and pears. Ripe bananas and citrus fruits without seed and membranes also are fine. Refined Starches -- Examples include refined, cooked or dry commercially prepared corn, oat, rice or wheat cereals, enriched white, refined wheat or light rye bread, noodles from refined flour, rice without the hull and potatoes without skin.
Soluble Fiber
To increase the amount of soluble fiber in your diet eat:
- Oatmeal
- Applesauce
- Bananas
- Potatoes
For more information or to request an appointment with a registered dietitian, please contact the UCSF Nutrition Counseling Center at (415) 353-2291.
More Information:
Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.
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