Leena Watts
If you are suffering from diverticulitis, it is important to follow a soft diet to aid your recovery. This involves eating soft, low-fibre foods that are easy to digest and give your digestive system a chance to rest. A low-fibre diet typically limits fibre intake to between 8 and 12 grams of fibre per day, although some sources recommend a gradual increase of 5 to 15 grams per day. It is important to follow this diet until your symptoms subside, which may take two to four days, and to listen to the advice of your healthcare provider about when to resume a normal diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet Type | Soft diet/Low-fiber diet/Low-residue diet |
| Diet Details | White bread, white rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, pancakes, waffles, flake cereal, applesauce, bananas, eggs, fish, poultry, tofu, well-cooked vegetables, canned fruits, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, milk, cheese, white crackers |
| Duration | Until symptoms subside (usually several days) |
| Next Steps | Gradually add fiber (5-15 grams per day) until normal diet resumes (may take a week or longer) |
| Other Recommendations | Plenty of rest, avoid anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen), no smoking, follow-up appointment |
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What You'll Learn
A liquid diet is recommended for a few days
A liquid diet is often recommended for those experiencing a diverticulitis flare-up. This is because a liquid diet helps to rest the digestive system and lower inflammation in the intestine. It is important to note that a liquid diet is only recommended for a short period, typically one to three days. This is because the human body needs more nutrition than a liquid diet can provide over a long period.
During a flare-up, a liquid diet can help clear out the colon, allowing it to rest and heal. It is important to stay hydrated, so drinking plenty of water is recommended. Other liquids that can be consumed include clear broths, tea, coffee, and clear, pulp-free juices. It is important to avoid any liquids that are not completely clear, such as milk, nut milk, and fruit juice with pulp.
After the initial liquid diet, it is common to progress to a low-fiber diet. This typically includes canned fruits, such as peaches, pears, and applesauce, as well as ripe bananas and soft, ripe cantaloupe and honeydew. Dairy products such as cottage cheese and Greek yogurt are also recommended, as they are high in protein and calcium and do not contain any fiber.
It is important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate duration of the liquid diet and the subsequent transition to a low-fiber diet. The goal is to ensure that the diverticulitis symptoms subside and that the intestines have adequate time to heal and rest. Once an individual's condition has improved, a long-term plan involving a high-fiber diet may be recommended to reduce the risk of future diverticulitis flares.
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Low-residue foods are easily digestible
A low-residue diet is often recommended for people with digestive conditions such as diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or before certain medical procedures, such as bowel surgery or a colonoscopy. This is because it can help to reduce symptoms such as diarrhoea, bloating, gas, and stomach cramps, as well as lowering the chance of intestinal obstruction.
Low-residue foods are well-cooked and easily digestible. They are typically low in fibre, as the body cannot fully digest fibre. Foods to eat on a low-residue diet include white pasta, white bread, white rice, white crackers, canned fruits (without the skin), applesauce, ripe bananas, soft, ripe cantaloupe, honeydew, cottage cheese, Greek yoghurt, milk, and cheese. It is important to note that a low-residue diet may not provide all the necessary nutrients, so it should only be followed under the guidance of a healthcare professional and may be temporary.
If you are experiencing a diverticulitis flare-up, you should follow a low-residue or low-fibre diet until your symptoms subside. In severe cases or if surgery is required, a clear liquid diet may be recommended for a day or two before progressing to low-residue foods. Once you are feeling better, it is still important to limit low-fibre foods, red meat, and other food triggers that may cause GI upset to prevent future flare-ups.
It is always recommended to speak with your doctor or a dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet, especially if you are experiencing a medical condition or symptoms. They can provide guidance on a long-term plan that is safe and suitable for your individual needs.
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Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast are good options
During a diverticulitis flare-up, it is important to give your gut a break and let your digestive system relax and heal. Doctors may recommend a clear liquid diet for a day or two, followed by a low-fibre diet. This is because high-fibre foods are harder to digest, and avoiding them during a flare-up can help get your symptoms under control.
Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet) are good options to consume during this soft diet period. These foods are bland and easy to digest, which can help with diverticulitis. The BRAT diet is very low in nutrients, so it should not be consumed for an extended period.
Bananas are a good option because they are ripe and soft, and they do not contain insoluble fibre, which can irritate inflamed diverticula. Similarly, applesauce is a soft, canned fruit option that does not contain the skin, reducing the amount of insoluble fibre.
Rice is a good low-fibre starch option, and white rice, in particular, is recommended. Toast, especially made with white bread, is also a suitable low-fibre option. These foods can help manage diverticulitis symptoms and provide some variety during the soft diet period.
It is important to note that the BRAT diet should only be followed for a short time, and a well-balanced diet with plenty of high-fibre foods is typically recommended to prevent diverticulitis flare-ups when symptoms are not present.
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Avoid high-FODMAP foods
A soft diet is recommended for those with mild diverticulitis flares. This involves eating low-fibre foods such as white pasta, white bread, white rice, and white crackers. It is important to note that the duration of a soft diet depends on the severity of the flare-up and the advice of your healthcare provider.
Now, on to the topic of high-FODMAP foods to avoid. FODMAPs are a group of carbohydrates (fermentable oligo-saccharides, disaccharides, mono-saccharides, and polyols) that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine, leading to pain, bloating, and diarrhoea. Here are the key food groups to avoid:
Wheat and Other Grains
Wheat is a common source of FODMAPs in the Western diet, often consumed in significant quantities. This includes bread, cereal, pasta, and baked goods. Other high-FODMAP grains include wholemeal bread, rye bread, and wheat-containing muesli. Alternatives to wheat include brown rice, buckwheat, millet, gluten-free oats, polenta, quinoa, and tapioca.
Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic are concentrated sources of fructans, a type of FODMAP. They are commonly used as flavourings in many dishes, so it's important to check ingredient lists carefully. Instead, opt for chives, ginger, or the green parts of scallions.
Fruits
Fruits contain fructose, a FODMAP. Some fruits are higher in FODMAPs than others, including apples, apricots, cherries, figs, mangoes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, and watermelon. Limit yourself to one serving of these fruits per sitting. Instead, choose low-FODMAP fruits like unripe bananas, blueberries, kiwi, oranges, papaya, pineapple, and strawberries.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables are high in FODMAPs, including artichokes, asparagus, beets, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, leeks, mushrooms, and snow peas. Alternatives include bean sprouts, carrots, eggplant, kale, spinach, and zucchini.
Beans and Legumes
Legumes, beans, and pulses contain galacato-oligosaccharides (GOS or galactans), a type of FODMAP. They are known for causing gas and bloating. Examples include baked beans, black-eyed peas, broad beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, soybeans, and split peas.
Dairy Products
Dairy products can be high in FODMAPs, specifically lactose. Soft cheeses, milk, and yoghurt are high-lactose foods. However, butter, hard cheese, and plant-based milk alternatives like soy milk, almond milk, and rice milk are low-FODMAP options.
Nuts
Most nuts are low in FODMAPs, but cashews and pistachios are high in FODMAPs and should be avoided.
It is important to note that individual tolerance to FODMAPs may vary, and it is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional or dietitian before making significant dietary changes.
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Symptoms usually improve within 2-4 days
A soft diet is often recommended for those recovering from diverticulitis. This involves eating soft, low-fibre foods that are easily digestible and give the bowel a chance to rest and recover. Symptoms usually improve within 2-4 days. During this time, it's important to follow your doctor's advice and take any prescribed medications.
A soft diet typically includes starchy foods like white bread, white rice, and potatoes without skin. Bananas, applesauce, and canned fruits such as peaches and pears, and soft, ripe melons are also suitable. Dairy products like cottage cheese, Greek yoghurt, milk, and cheese are good options, as they are soft, moist, and high in protein and calcium.
It's important to stay hydrated during recovery, so be sure to drink plenty of liquids. Clear broths, tea and coffee without milk, and clear, pulp-free juices are good choices. You can also drink plain water or flavoured water. Small, frequent meals can help with this.
As symptoms improve, you can gradually add fibre back into your diet, increasing your intake by 5 to 15 grams per day. This may take a week or longer, and your healthcare provider will advise when and how to resume a normal diet. It's important to be mindful of your fluid intake as you add more fibre, as fibre requires water to work effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
A soft diet is recommended after a severe flare-up of diverticulitis. This diet is usually followed for a few days, after which you can transition to low-fiber solids. After symptoms improve, usually within two to four days, you may add 5 to 15 grams of fiber to your diet each day.
A soft diet consists of foods that are easy to digest and gentle on the digestive system. It includes starchy foods like white bread, white rice, and potatoes without skin. It also comprises flake cereal, mashed potatoes, pancakes, waffles, pasta, eggs, fish, poultry, and well-cooked vegetables.
A soft diet helps mitigate symptoms like nausea and diarrhea, giving your body time to heal. It also helps prevent constipation and promotes bowel movement.
You can enjoy naturally sweet foods like canned or cooked fruit without seeds or skin, such as applesauce, melon, and ripe bananas. These options provide a sweet taste while being gentle on the digestive system.
