Leena Watts
A healthy, high-fibre diet is recommended to prevent diverticulitis flare-ups. Fibre softens stool and helps prevent constipation, reducing pressure in the colon and lowering the risk of developing diverticulitis. However, during a flare-up, doctors recommend a brief pause from eating and drinking, followed by a diet of clear liquids for a few days. As symptoms improve, low-fibre foods can be gradually reintroduced, and eventually, a normal diet can be resumed.
Diet for Diverticulitis
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| During flare-ups | Clear liquid diet |
| After flare-ups | Low-fiber or low-residue diet |
| After recovery | High-fiber diet |
| High-fiber foods | Vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, spinach), Popcorn, Nuts, Seeds, Beans, Legumes, Whole grains, Whole-grain products |
| Water intake | Half of your body weight in pounds |
| Goal for daily fiber intake | 25-35 grams of fiber per day |
| Foods to avoid | High-calorie, high-fat, and high-sodium foods, Red meat |
| Bland foods | BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast), Saltines, Oatmeal, Potatoes |
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What You'll Learn
High-fibre foods to prevent diverticulitis
Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of high-fibre foods can help prevent diverticulitis flare-ups. Fibre softens stool and helps prevent constipation, which can decrease pressure in the colon and may prevent diverticulitis flare-ups.
During a flare-up, doctors usually recommend taking a break from eating and drinking, then adopting a diet of only clear liquids for a few days. As symptoms improve, you can gradually add low-fibre foods to your diet. When symptoms are under control, you can resume a normal, high-fibre diet.
High-fibre foods include:
- Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dark leafy greens (kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, and spinach)
- Whole grains: whole wheat, oats, quinoa, brown rice, farro, and wheat berries
- Whole-grain products: high-fibre cereals, bran, shredded wheat, granola, whole-grain breads, and whole-wheat pasta
- Beans and legumes: lentils, split peas, pinto beans, and black beans
- Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and popcorn
It's important to note that increasing your fibre intake can make you feel gassy and bloated, so it's recommended to start slowly and build up your fibre intake over time. Staying well-hydrated is also crucial, as fibre needs water to work effectively. Aim to drink at least 8 to 10 cups of water per day to help prevent constipation.
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Bland, low-fibre foods during flare-ups
During a diverticulitis flare-up, it is important to give your digestive system a break and let it heal. Doctors usually recommend taking a brief pause from eating and drinking, and then adopting a diet of only clear liquids for a few days. This pause in eating is sometimes called a bowel rest. Clear liquids include water, clear juices such as apple, cranberry and grape juice, ice chips, gelatin without fruit, and ice pops without fruit or pulp.
After this brief break, you can start consuming liquids with low-fibre solids for 2-4 days. Low-fibre foods are bland and easily digestible, which helps avoid irritating the colon and facilitates healing. Examples of low-fibre foods include canned or cooked fruits without seeds or skin, such as applesauce and melon, and canned or well-cooked vegetables without seeds and skin. You should also avoid high-fibre foods such as beans and legumes, whole grains, whole-grain products, nuts and seeds.
As your symptoms improve, you can slowly start adding fibre back into your diet at a rate of 5 to 15 grams per day. It is important to increase your fibre intake gradually and stay well-hydrated. Drinking enough water is essential for keeping your bowels healthy and functioning, as fibre needs water to work.
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Staying hydrated
Drinking enough water is crucial for maintaining healthy bowel function. Fibre requires water to work effectively. Consuming an adequate amount of water daily helps prevent constipation by softening stools, thereby reducing pressure in the colon. This, in turn, may lower the risk of diverticulitis flare-ups.
During a diverticulitis flare-up, doctors often recommend a brief period of ingesting only clear liquids to give the digestive system a chance to rest and recover. This liquid diet should only be followed for a few days before gradually transitioning to low-fibre solids and, eventually, back to a normal diet. During this recovery phase, it is essential to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of liquids.
After a diverticulitis flare-up, it is important to work your way gradually back to a high-fibre diet to prevent future flare-ups. As you increase your fibre intake, ensure you are also increasing your fluid intake. For every gram of fibre consumed, the body requires approximately 1 millilitre of water to process it. Therefore, staying well-hydrated is crucial to support the proper functioning of your digestive system.
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Anti-inflammatory foods
While a high-fibre diet is recommended to prevent diverticulitis flare-ups, it is important to avoid high-fibre foods during an active flare-up, as they are harder to digest. Instead, doctors recommend a brief pause from eating and drinking, followed by a diet of clear liquids for a few days. As symptoms improve, you can gradually add low-fibre foods.
During recovery from a flare-up, it is important to include anti-inflammatory foods in your diet to soothe stomach upsets and facilitate healing. Ginger, turmeric, and garlic are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
- Include ginger in your diet: Ginger is a popular natural remedy for soothing stomach discomfort and reducing inflammation. Try incorporating fresh or dried ginger into your meals or drinks.
- Use turmeric in your cooking: Turmeric is a spice that contains curcumin, a potent anti-inflammatory compound. Add turmeric to your meals, such as curries, soups, or smoothies.
- Add garlic to your meals: Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties and can help boost the immune system. Include garlic in your cooking, such as in stir-fries, roasted vegetables, or soups.
- Drink ginger or turmeric tea: If you don't like the taste of ginger or turmeric in your food, you can also drink them as teas. Prepare homemade ginger tea by boiling fresh ginger slices in water and adding lemon or honey to taste. Turmeric tea, also known as golden milk, can be made by heating milk or plant-based milk with turmeric and other spices.
- Consider taking supplements: If you find it difficult to include enough anti-inflammatory foods in your diet, you can also consider taking ginger, turmeric, or garlic supplements. However, always consult your doctor or a healthcare professional before taking any supplements to ensure they are safe and appropriate for you.
Remember, it is important to gradually introduce fibre back into your diet after a diverticulitis flare-up to prevent future flare-ups. Start with low-fibre foods and slowly increase your fibre intake over time, aiming for 25-35 grams of fibre per day. Drink plenty of water to aid digestion and keep your bowels healthy.
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A Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is rich in monounsaturated fats, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids. It has been associated with a decreased risk of gastrointestinal tract cancers, including colorectal cancer. The high consumption of fruits and vegetables and low intake of red processed meat may contribute to these protective effects.
For those with diverticulitis, the Mediterranean diet can be beneficial due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet is comparable to diets associated with the primary prevention of diverticulitis and is more strongly associated with reduced inflammation. The high fibre content of the diet can also help prevent diverticulosis, a condition that can lead to diverticulitis.
When experiencing a diverticulitis flare-up, it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations. They 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, low-fibre foods can be gradually introduced. Once the flare-up is under control, a well-balanced diet with plenty of high-fibre foods can help prevent future attacks.
The Mediterranean diet can be a good long-term dietary choice for those prone to diverticulitis, as it provides a well-balanced and fibre-rich approach to eating. It is important to note that during a flare-up, adjustments may be necessary under medical supervision, and a gradual transition to a high-fibre diet is recommended to manage any discomfort.
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Frequently asked questions
Doctors usually recommend taking a break from eating and drinking and then adopting a clear liquid diet for a few days. As your symptoms improve, you can gradually add low-fiber foods.
Canned or cooked fruit without seeds or skin, such as applesauce and melon, and canned or well-cooked vegetables without seeds and skin.
Eating foods high in fiber with little to no red meat can help prevent diverticulitis flare-ups. Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dark leafy greens are high in fiber.
The recommended daily fiber intake is about 25 grams per day. However, it's important to add fiber to your diet slowly.
