Jeffrey Salazar
The best diet for recovery from diverticulitis is dependent on the individual, as trigger foods vary from person to person. However, during a flare-up, it is recommended to eat low-fiber foods and clear liquids to give your digestive system a break. Doctors may recommend a temporary hold on eating and drinking altogether for a short period, known as a bowel rest. After this, they may advise you to consume only liquids for 2-3 days. Once your symptoms improve, you can slowly reintroduce low-fiber solid foods, such as white bread and low-fiber cereal. During remission, it is recommended to gradually increase your fiber intake to prevent future flare-ups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet during flare-up | Low-fiber foods and liquids |
| Diet during recovery | Slowly reintroduce low-fiber solid food |
| Diet during remission | High-fiber foods with little or no red meat |
| Foods to eat during flare-up | Bananas, plain white rice, applesauce, toast made with refined white bread, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, milk, and cheese |
| Foods to avoid during recovery | Alcohol, coffee, tea, and soda |
| Foods to avoid during remission | Red meat, seeds, popcorn, and nuts |
| Other recommendations | Keep a food journal, stay hydrated, gradually increase fiber intake |
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What You'll Learn
- During a flare-up, a diverticulitis diet should include clear liquids and low-fibre foods
- After a flare-up, slowly reintroduce low-fibre solid foods, like white bread
- During remission, eat foods high in fibre, with little or no red meat
- Keep a food journal to record what you eat and how you feel
- A low-FODMAP diet is low in certain carbohydrates that can cause stomach problems
During a flare-up, a diverticulitis diet should include clear liquids and low-fibre foods
Diverticulitis is a disease that affects the digestive tract and causes inflamed pouches in the lining of the stomach. It is an infection of the diverticula, which are small pockets that develop in the lining of the intestine. When the diverticula become inflamed or infected, you may experience constant pain that lasts for several days, usually originating from the lower left side of the abdomen.
After a few days, you can start to slowly reintroduce low-fibre solid foods. Examples of low-fibre foods include white bread, low-fibre cereals, white rice, white crackers, low-fiber starches (such as skinless potatoes), and low-fiber pasta. Fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, lean protein, and milk are also recommended. Bananas, plain white rice, applesauce, and toast made with refined white bread (also known as the BRAT diet) can help when your digestive system needs rest.
It is important to note that everyone has different trigger foods, so you may need to experiment to determine the best diet for you. For example, while red meat is known to increase the risk of getting diverticulitis, some people only need to avoid it during recovery from a flare-up, while others find they need to always avoid it. Similarly, certain beverages, including alcohol, coffee, tea, and soda, can be problematic for some people but not others. Consult a medical professional before making large diet changes.
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After a flare-up, slowly reintroduce low-fibre solid foods, like white bread
After a diverticulitis flare-up, it's important to give your digestive system time to rest and recover. This may involve a brief period of not eating or drinking anything, also known as a bowel rest. Your doctor will advise you on how long this should last.
Following this, you'll transition to a liquid diet for a few days. Clear liquids are recommended, such as water, broth, or gelatin. This gives your gut a break while still providing hydration and some nutrition.
After this liquid diet phase, you can slowly start reintroducing low-fibre solid foods. This is a gradual process, and it's important to take it step by step. White bread is a good option during this phase, as are other refined carbohydrates like white rice and plain toast. These foods are easy to digest and won't irritate your gut.
Other low-fibre foods that can be helpful during this recovery phase include bananas, applesauce, saltines, oatmeal, and potatoes. Dairy products like cottage cheese, Greek yoghurt, milk, and cheese are also recommended, as they are high in protein and calcium while being low in fibre.
It's important to remember that everyone's triggers are different, so you may need to experiment to determine which low-fibre foods work best for you. Keeping a food journal can be helpful for tracking your symptoms and identifying any problem foods.
As your symptoms improve, you can gradually increase your fibre intake over several days or weeks. This helps to prevent constipation and bloating, which can be common side effects of increasing fibre intake. The goal is to eventually return to a high-fibre diet, as this helps to lower the risk of diverticulitis and has other health benefits.
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During remission, eat foods high in fibre, with little or no red meat
During remission from diverticulitis, it is important to eat foods high in fibre and reduce your intake of red meat. Fibre is a nutrient that comes from plants and cannot be broken down in the small intestine. It is instead digested by bacteria in the lower gut, keeping your digestive system healthy.
There are many foods that are rich in fibre. Fruits such as pears, strawberries, avocados, and apples are tasty sources of fibre. Vegetables like carrots, beets, broccoli, and artichokes are also good sources. Additionally, oats, kidney beans, lentils, and chickpeas are fibre-rich foods that provide other nutrients as well. It is recommended to eat whole foods instead of taking fibre supplements. Opt for wholegrain, wholemeal, or mixed grain bread, wholemeal pasta, and brown rice or quinoa.
In terms of reducing red meat consumption, a good first step is to simply eat less of it. If you eat red meat daily, consider reducing the portion size. For example, instead of a double hamburger, opt for a single patty and reduce the number of slices of bacon. You can also adjust recipes that call for red meat by using less than the recommended amount. Another strategy is to eat red meat less frequently. This could mean having it only on weekends or even just on special occasions. When cutting down on red meat, be sure to replace it with healthy options like poultry, seafood, beans, nuts, and whole grains.
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Keep a food journal to record what you eat and how you feel
Keeping a food journal is a great way to help you understand your body and manage diverticulitis. It can help you identify your food triggers and track your symptoms, making it easier to live with diverticular disease.
A food journal is a simple yet effective way to record what you eat and how you feel. It can be as simple as writing down the foods you eat and any symptoms you experience throughout the day. Over time, you may start to notice patterns, such as certain foods that consistently cause discomfort or days when you feel better than others. This information can be incredibly valuable in managing your condition. For example, if you notice that dairy products tend to aggravate your symptoms, you can try reducing your intake or opting for dairy-free alternatives.
Additionally, a food journal can help you become more mindful of your eating habits and make healthier choices. You may find yourself reaching for healthier snacks or opting for a balanced meal instead of takeout. It can also help you identify any unhealthy patterns, such as skipping meals or overeating when stressed. Being mindful of these patterns can help you make positive changes.
Moreover, a food journal can provide valuable information for your healthcare team. If you are working with a doctor or dietitian to manage your diverticulitis, they may ask you to keep a food journal as a tool to personalise your treatment plan. For example, they may review your journal to identify any trigger foods or drinks and advise you on how to substitute or minimise their impact. This information can also help them assess your overall diet quality and make specific recommendations to improve your nutrition and manage your symptoms.
Finally, a food journal can be a great way to stay motivated on your health journey. Seeing your progress and improvements over time can be encouraging and help you stay committed to your treatment plan. It can also provide a sense of empowerment, as you learn to manage your symptoms and make informed decisions about your diet.
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A low-FODMAP diet is low in certain carbohydrates that can cause stomach problems
A diverticulitis diet during a flare-up should include primarily clear liquids. During recovery from a flare-up, slowly reintroduce low-fibre solid foods, such as white bread and low-fibre cereal. During remission, the standard recommendation is to eat foods high in fibre with little or no red meat.
A low-FODMAP diet is low in certain carbohydrates that can be hard for people to digest and may cause stomach problems. FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These are short-chain carbohydrates that are more difficult for people to digest. The low-FODMAP diet temporarily restricts these carbohydrates to relieve uncomfortable symptoms and give the digestive system a rest. Removing these irritants allows the gut lining to repair itself and can help restore a healthy balance of gut flora.
FODMAPs are types of carbohydrates found in certain foods, including wheat and beans. Studies have shown strong links between FODMAPs and digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and constipation. FODMAPs are sugar molecules that are linked together in chains and are fermentable by the bacteria in the gut. These molecules need to be broken down into single molecules to be absorbed through the small intestine. However, FODMAPs cannot be broken down and are instead fermented by gut bacteria, producing gases and fatty acids as byproducts.
The low-FODMAP diet is often prescribed for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). It can also be used as a short-term elimination diet to identify food triggers for those with functional gastrointestinal disorders. The ultimate goal of the diet is to widen dietary options. It is important to note that the low-FODMAP diet is restrictive and should only be followed under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
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Frequently asked questions
Diverticulitis is a common condition in developed countries, especially in adults aged 40 and older. It involves the development of diverticula (small pouches) in the walls of the colon.
During a flare-up, it is recommended to follow a low-fiber diet with clear liquids and soft, bland foods that are easy to digest. This includes bananas, plain white rice, applesauce, toast, and low-fiber cereals. Your doctor may also recommend a brief period of bowel rest, where you stop eating and drinking altogether for a short time.
The low-fiber diet should be followed for a few days, typically 2-3 days, or as advised by your doctor. After this, you can slowly reintroduce low-fiber solid foods.
During recovery and remission, it is important to gradually increase your fiber intake over several days to weeks to prevent constipation and bloating. Aim for a well-balanced, high-fiber diet with whole grains, beans, legumes, and plenty of vegetables.
Yes, certain beverages like alcohol, coffee, tea, and soda can aggravate symptoms during recovery. Red meat should also be avoided as it increases the risk of diverticulitis by altering the balance of microorganisms in the cecum.
