Brenda Khan
Diverticulitis occurs when pouches in the intestines, called diverticula, become infected or inflamed. A flare-up happens when a tear develops in one or more of these pouches. Eating a high-fiber diet can help prevent diverticulitis flare-ups, but during a flare-up, it is recommended to switch to a low-fiber diet that includes clear liquids and basic diverticulitis self-care, such as avoiding alcohol. After a flare-up, it is important to gradually transition to a high-fiber diet, staying well-hydrated, and drinking plenty of water to prevent constipation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet during flare-up | Clear liquids only for a few days, then reintroduce low-fiber foods |
| Diet during recovery | Small, frequent meals with low-fiber foods; gradually add fiber back into the diet |
| Diet during remission | High-fiber foods with little to no red meat; drink plenty of water |
| Foods to avoid | Alcohol, coffee, tea, soda, unripe bananas, red meat, seeds, popcorn, nuts |
| Foods to include | Ginger, turmeric, garlic, vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, dark leafy greens) |
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What You'll Learn
During a flare-up, a clear liquid diet is recommended
During a diverticulitis flare-up, it is recommended to switch to a clear liquid diet to give your digestive system some rest. This means you should only consume clear liquids for a few days, such as water, ice chips, gelatin, or ice pops without fruit or pulp. This temporary pause in eating, also known as a bowel rest, allows your bowel time to recover and helps ease your symptoms.
After this initial phase, you can slowly start adding low-fiber solid foods back into your diet. Examples of low-fiber foods include white bread, low-fiber cereal, saltines, oatmeal, and potatoes. It is important to introduce these foods gradually and monitor your symptoms to determine if any particular foods trigger a flare-up.
During a flare-up, it is best to avoid high-fiber foods as they are harder to digest and can worsen your symptoms. High-fiber foods such as beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and unripe bananas should be consumed with caution. Additionally, certain beverages like alcohol, coffee, tea, and soda can be problematic and may need to be avoided during a flare-up.
Once the flare-up has subsided, you can start to increase your fiber intake gradually. Aim to consume 30-35 grams of fiber per day, including vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dark leafy greens. It is important to stay well-hydrated during this transition, as fiber requires water to function properly.
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Avoid high-fibre foods, which are harder to digest
While a high-fibre diet is typically recommended to prevent diverticulitis flare-ups, it is best to avoid high-fibre foods during an acute flare-up. This is because high-fibre foods are harder to digest, and giving your digestive system a break can help ease your symptoms.
High-fibre foods include beans and legumes (lentils, split peas, pinto beans, black beans, etc.), whole grains (whole wheat, oats, quinoa, brown rice, farro, wheat berries, etc.), whole-grain products (high-fibre cereals, bran, shredded wheat, granola, whole-grain breads, whole-wheat pasta), nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, etc.), and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dark leafy greens (kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, and spinach).
During a flare-up, your doctor may recommend that you temporarily stop consuming fibre and only ingest clear liquids for a few days. This is known as a "bowel rest" and allows your digestive system to rest and recover. After this brief break, you can slowly reintroduce low-fibre solid foods, such as white bread and low-fibre cereal.
Once your flare-up is under control, gradually increasing your fibre intake can help prevent future flare-ups. Fibre softens stool and helps prevent constipation, reducing pressure in the colon. It is important to increase your fibre intake slowly and ensure you are well-hydrated, as fibre requires water to work properly. Aim for a daily intake of 30-35 grams of fibre, drinking at least 8 to 10 cups of water per day.
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A BRAT diet is a short-term option to control flare-ups
During a diverticulitis flare-up, it is important to let your digestive system relax and heal. This means avoiding foods that are high in fiber, as they are harder to digest. Normally, it is recommended to include plenty of high-fiber foods in your diet, as they have many health benefits and help prevent diverticulosis, the condition that can lead to diverticulitis. However, during a flare-up, eating high-fiber foods may make the symptoms worse.
The BRAT diet has been liberalized significantly since its conception and now includes a broader range of foods. In addition to the traditional BRAT foods, you can also consume soft fruits like bananas, applesauce, pumpkin, canned fruit packed in water, and melons. Steamed, boiled, or canned vegetables such as carrots, green beans, potatoes, and squash are also allowed. Low-fiber starches like white bread, white rice, saltine crackers, and boiled noodles are part of the diet. For protein, opt for unseasoned skinless lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and kefir. Bone broth, apple juice, coconut water, Pedialyte, tea, and water are suitable beverage options.
It is important to gradually introduce BRAT diet foods in small portions every few hours. Start with bland, low-fat foods and monitor your symptoms. If you begin to feel worse, stick to BRAT-approved foods until your symptoms subside, and then you can start liberalizing your diet again. During recovery, it is helpful to eat small, frequent meals and drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated. Ginger, turmeric, and garlic have anti-inflammatory properties, and ginger is a popular remedy for soothing stomach upsets.
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A high-fibre diet is great for preventing diverticulitis flare-ups
While a low-fibre diet is recommended during a diverticulitis flare-up, a high-fibre diet is great for preventing diverticulitis flare-ups. This is because fibre softens stool and helps prevent constipation, reducing pressure in the colon and lowering the risk of future diverticulitis flare-ups.
During a flare-up, it is advisable to give your digestive system a break by abstaining from food and drink for a short period, followed by a diet of clear liquids for a few days. As symptoms improve, low-fibre foods can be gradually reintroduced. However, once the flare-up is under control, it is important to slowly increase your fibre intake to prevent future attacks.
A high-fibre diet should be implemented gradually, with a daily goal of 30-35 grams of fibre. This can be achieved by consuming fibre-rich foods such as vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, and spinach), whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It is important to note that increasing fibre intake can cause bloating and gas, so it is recommended to increase fibre intake slowly and ensure adequate fluid intake, with 8 to 10 cups of water per day.
While a high-fibre diet is generally beneficial for preventing diverticulitis flare-ups, it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable diet for your individual needs. Additionally, keeping a food journal can help you understand how different foods affect your body and identify any specific trigger foods that may aggravate your condition.
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Consult a doctor before making large diet changes
It is important to consult a doctor before making large diet changes during a diverticulitis flare-up. While there are some general dietary guidelines that can be followed during a flare-up, individual experiences with diverticulitis vary, and a doctor's advice should be sought for a personalized diet plan.
During a diverticulitis flare-up, the primary goal is to give the bowel time to rest and recover. This is typically done by ingesting only clear liquids for a few days, as recommended by doctors. These liquids can include water, clear broth, and gelatin. This initial phase helps to calm the inflamed diverticulitis and prepare the body for the reintroduction of solid foods.
After the clear liquid diet, the next phase involves slowly reintroducing low-fiber solid foods. Examples of low-fiber foods include white bread, low-fiber cereal, and saltines. It is important to introduce these foods gradually and pay attention to how the body reacts. Keeping a food journal can be helpful in tracking what is eaten and how it affects the body.
As symptoms improve, it is generally recommended to gradually increase fiber intake. Fiber helps to soften stool and prevent constipation, which can reduce pressure in the colon and lower the risk of future diverticulitis flare-ups. However, it is important to increase fiber intake slowly and in conjunction with adequate fluid intake. Aim for a daily fluid intake of 8 to 10 cups of water, and increase fiber intake by 5 to 15 grams per day, with a goal of 30 to 35 grams of fiber per day.
While these general guidelines can be followed, it is important to consult a doctor before making any large diet changes. Diverticulitis flare-ups can vary in severity and duration, and a doctor can provide personalized advice and recommendations based on an individual's medical history and symptoms. Additionally, a doctor may recommend certain dietary changes to make diverticulitis easier to manage and prevent future flare-ups.
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Frequently asked questions
During a diverticulitis flare-up, doctors recommend giving your digestive system a break by pausing eating and drinking for a short period. This is known as a bowel rest. After this, you should adopt a diet of clear liquids for a few days. Once your symptoms improve, you can start eating solid foods again, but stick to low-fiber foods.
Low-fiber foods include white bread and low-fiber cereal. You should avoid high-fiber foods such as beans and legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
Make sure you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You should also avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, and soda, as these beverages can be problematic.
