GI-Gastrointestinal-Soft-Diet.pdf

Patient Education

GASTROINTESTINAL SOFT DIET GUIDE

This diet consists of foods that are easily digested. Acceptable foods are soft in texture

and low in fiber. The GI soft diet is a transitional diet used after some gastrointestinal

surgeries and with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis,

and diverticulitis. Symptoms can vary greatly so individual food tolerances should be

considered. Highly fibrous foods, fried foods, legumes, spicy foods, and gas forming

fruits and vegetables are likely to cause pain and discomfort and should be avoided

after surgery or during flare up’s. Adding new foods to the diet, one at a time, will make

it easier to single out foods that cause discomfort. Contact your physician for diet

advancement or concerns.

Cooking techniques, such as stewing or baking with liquid, can help to moisten and

soften vegetables, fruits, and meats. Foods should be tender but not ground or pureed.

Prevent creating a tough outer crust by carefully reheating foods at a lower temperature.

Fiber:

Consuming a low fiber diet helps decrease abdominal distress. A low fiber diet avoids

whole grains, seeds, skins, whole nuts, legumes, and raw vegetables. A low fiber diet

decreases the volume and bulk of stools and slows the movement of food through the

intestines. Low fiber decreases diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, and bloating for some

patients.

Gas Formers:

Limiting the amount of gas forming foods can decrease discomfort and pain. Foods that

often cause gas include: beans; Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage; peaches, pears and

apples as well as whole grains such as bran. Dairy products may produce excessive

gas for people who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy products. The gas forming

effect of foods vary for each individual.

Spices and Caffeine:

Spices, caffeine, and carbonated beverages can upset to the digestive tract and should

be avoided. Limit spices such as pepper, cayenne, chili powder, and curry. Fresh herbs

such as basil, oregano, and parsley can be used as substitutions. Caffeinated

beverages including coffee, tea, and soda should be replaced with non-caffeinated

versions.

Patient Education

FOOD GROUP

FOOD ALLOWED

FOODS EXCLUDED

Beverages and Milk

Milk and milk drinks (unless

lactose intolerant), decaf coffee,

tea, lactose free milk

Alcohol, caffeinated beverages,

regular milk, carbonated

beverages

Breads and Crackers

White, seedless rye, fine whole-

wheat bread. Plain crackers,

graham crackers

Coarse whole-grain breads.

Breads with seeds, nuts, or

raisins. Highly seasoned

crackers

Cereals and Grains

Cooked and dry cereals (unless

listed as excluded), plain

spaghetti, macaroni, noodles,

rice

Bran cereals, steel cut/regular

oatmeal, cereals with raisins,

brown or wild rice, popcorn

Desserts

Plain cake, cookies, pudding,

custard, ice cream, sherbet,

gelatin, fruit whips

Pastries, pies, desserts

containing nuts, dried fruits, fruit

with seeds

Fats

Butter, cream; cream sauce,

margarine, mayonnaise; mild

salad dressing, smooth peanut

butter

Nuts, chunky peanut butter,

spicy salad dressings, fried

foods, high fat gravy, olives

Fruits and Juices

All fruit juices without pulp

(except prune juice), avocado,

banana, grapefruit and orange

(sections without membrane),

baked peeled apple, applesauce.

Canned: apricots, cherries,

peaches, pears, peeled ripe

peaches or pears

Prune juice, raw fruit not listed

as allowed, dried fruits, fruits

with edible seeds or tough

skins, coconut, frozen berries,

jam or jelly with seeds

Meat, Fish, Poultry,

Cheese, Eggs,

Legumes

Meat, fish, or poultry (not fried),

plain cheese, eggs (not fried)

Fried meat fish or poultry,

highly seasoned cold cuts,

spicy sausage, all tough meats,

dried beans and peas

Soup

Cream soups made from foods

allowed; meat, rice, noodle soups

Vegetable soups unless made

from foods allowed

Sugar and Sweets

Sugar, syrup, honey, clear jelly;

plain, sugar candy in moderation

Jam, and candies that contain

tough skins, seeds or nuts

Vegetables and

Potatoes

Tomato juice, cooked asparagus,

beets, carrots, green or wax

beans, potatoes, spinach,

summer squash, sweet potatoes,

tomatoes, winter squash

Raw vegetables except

shredded lettuce, tough or

stringy cooked vegetables,

sauerkraut, peas, corn, broccoli,

brussels sprouts, cabbage,

mushrooms, onions, peppers,

deep-fried vegetables

Miscellaneous

Salt, allspice, cinnamon, paprika,

herbs, flavoring extracts, ketchup

Red, black, white pepper;

horseradish, mustard, pickles,

popcorn

All information is for educational purposes only.

If you have any questions, please contact your primary care provider or registered dietitian.