Leena Watts
Dietary changes are often recommended to help manage diverticulitis, a condition where small pouches in the intestines become infected or inflamed. During a flare-up, doctors may advise a temporary pause in eating, also known as a bowel rest, followed by a clear liquid diet for a few days. As symptoms improve, patients can gradually reintroduce low-fiber foods. While high-fiber diets are typically recommended for their health benefits, they may worsen diverticulitis symptoms during a flare-up due to being harder to digest. However, once diverticulitis is under control, a well-balanced, high-fiber diet can help prevent future attacks and reduce the risk of developing the condition.
Is a diet change always necessary when you have diverticulitis?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet change during diverticulitis flare-up | Doctors recommend a temporary hold on fiber intake, a liquid diet, or a low-fiber diet to reduce inflammation and severity of symptoms. |
| Diet change to prevent future flare-ups | Eating a well-balanced, high-fiber diet can help prevent future flare-ups. |
| Diet change when diverticulosis is present without diverticulitis | A high-fiber diet is recommended to lower the risk of developing diverticulitis. |
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The BRAT diet
When experiencing nausea or vomiting, it is recommended to give your stomach a rest for a few hours. You can then start by sucking on hard candy or popsicles and gradually add clear liquids such as water, apple juice, or broth. After that, you can begin adding bland, low-fat foods such as those included in the BRAT diet, as well as crackers, cooked carrots, and chicken or turkey.
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Bowel rest
During a flare-up, eating foods that are high in fibre may worsen the condition. Therefore, after the initial fast, a patient is advised to adopt a diet of clear liquids for a few days, after which they can gradually introduce low-fibre foods.
It is important to note that a bowel rest and liquid diet are temporary measures and should not be continued for long periods. As the flare-up subsides, patients can slowly reintroduce solid foods, starting with low-fibre options.
In the long term, a high-fibre diet is recommended to prevent future flare-ups. This can include whole grains, beans, legumes, and vegetables. However, it is important to increase fibre intake gradually and stay well-hydrated to avoid discomfort.
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High-fibre foods
Eating a high-fibre diet is recommended to help prevent diverticulitis flare-ups and manage symptoms of diverticular disease. However, during a flare-up, it is advised to follow a low-fibre diet as high-fibre foods may worsen symptoms. Once the flare-up subsides, a gradual transition to a high-fibre diet is recommended to prevent future attacks.
- Whole grains: quinoa, bulgur, teff, barley, popcorn, oats, shredded wheat, bran cereals, and whole-grain bread
- Beans and legumes: black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, and lentils
- Vegetables: collard greens, kale, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots
- Fruits: blackberries, raspberries, avocado, blueberries, strawberries, apples, pears, kiwi, and oranges
It is important to note that increasing fibre intake can cause gas and bloating, so it is recommended to start slowly and build up. Drinking plenty of water is also essential when consuming a high-fibre diet as fibre needs water to work effectively in the body.
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Low-fibre foods
When experiencing a diverticulitis flare-up, it is recommended to give your digestive system a break by temporarily abstaining from solid food and adopting a diet of clear liquids for a few days. This gives your gut a chance to rest and recover.
After this initial period, you can start adding low-fibre foods to your diet. It is important to note that staying on a clear liquid diet for too long can lead to weakness and other complications due to a lack of essential nutrients.
- White bread
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Saltines
- Oatmeal
- Potatoes
- Bananas
- Toast
It is worth noting that while a low-fibre diet may be recommended during a flare-up, increasing your fibre intake gradually and adopting a high-fibre diet in the long term can help prevent future flare-ups. This is because a high-fibre diet promotes healthy bowel movements, softens stools, and reduces inflammation, thereby decreasing pressure in the colon and lowering the risk of developing diverticulitis.
It is always best to consult your doctor or a dietitian about the diet that makes the most sense for your specific situation. They can guide you in gradually transitioning back to a regular, well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fibre-rich foods.
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Staying hydrated
Water is crucial for digesting fiber, which is an important part of managing diverticulitis. When you increase your fiber intake, your body needs more water to process it effectively. Staying hydrated helps to keep your bowels regular and prevents constipation, which is beneficial for managing diverticulitis.
During a diverticulitis flare-up, it is recommended to give your digestive system a rest by temporarily pausing your food and liquid intake. This is called a bowel rest. After this brief period, your doctor may advise you to consume only clear liquids for a few days. Clear liquids can include water, clear juices without pulp (such as apple, cranberry, or grape), and clear broths. It is important to note that during this liquid diet, you should still aim to stay adequately hydrated, especially if you are experiencing diarrhea or increased fluid loss.
Once your symptoms improve, you can gradually reintroduce low-fiber foods while continuing to maintain adequate hydration. As you transition back to a high-fiber diet, staying well-hydrated can help with the adjustment. It is important to listen to your body and adjust your fluid intake as needed, always aiming for proper hydration to support your digestive health.
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Frequently asked questions
Diverticulitis occurs when pouches in the intestines, called diverticula, become infected or inflamed.
Yes, you should change your diet to reduce the severity of your symptoms and allow your intestines to recover. During a flare-up, a doctor may recommend a clear liquid or low-fiber diet so that your colon can rest and recover.
During a flare-up, you should eat low-fiber foods, which are easier to digest than high-fiber foods. Low-fiber foods include white pasta, white bread, white rice, and white crackers.
