We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Diverticulitis Diet?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 13,293
Share

Diverticulitis diet refers to a diet people are on when they have an active case of diverticulitis or it means a diet people go on after they’ve had diverticulitis. Having diverticulitis means having infection in pouches in the intestine, which are called diverticula. Presence of diverticula may be a good reason to go on the second type of preventative diet, while having diverticulitis means eating simple and specific foods so the intestines don’t have to work hard and can begin to respond to antibiotic treatment.

When a person has an active case of diverticulitis, doctors may suggest they remain on a simple diverticulitis diet. Things on this diet may vary but usually there are lists of foods that are discouraged. People should avoid high fat foods like meats and heavily fibrous foods. Instead clear liquids are advocated, and most folks do best with simple foods like broth, sports drinks, popsicles, and the like.

Since diverticulitis sometimes leads to greater intestinal troubles, some doctors advocate adding yogurt with live active cultures to an acute diverticulitis diet, or adding simple foods like applesauce which has a little fiber. In addition, physicians may suggest other treatments that can promote regularity. Fiber or laxative supplements might be recommended.

The preventative diverticulitis diet is very different and is meant to be used when people don’t have an active infection. The focus in this diet is getting plenty of fiber. Some of the best sources include beans, whole grain rice, and other whole grains like oats. Green vegetables and many types of fruit are excellent dietary fiber sources. High fiber is combined with low fat proteins and can prove to be very nutritious

One good source of fiber is nuts and seeds, and yet there tends to be great concern with those who have diverticula about eating them. What medical researchers now say is different than in the past. It was once believed that nuts and seeds would get into the diverticula or pouches and cause inflammation. This is no longer believed, though it makes sense to discontinue eating anything that seems to result in acute diverticulitis. People are advised to use their discretion when determining whether nuts and seeds are worth adding to a preventative diverticulitis diet.

While doctors suggest that diet may help reduce some attacks, this isn’t always the case. Not all doctors agree that high fiber diets are that beneficial, but others swear by them as a means of reducing diverticulitis. There are other diets that may be advocated as curative for this condition, but in most cases the condition can’t be fully cured. On the other hand, lots of people swear by a particular diet as being responsible for a reduction in symptoms or diverticulitis attacks.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Ven — On Sep 17, 2016

Before I ended up in the hospital for four days with diverticulitis,

I had eaten a peach every day and had fiber mixed along with a meal. By the end of the week I suffered with acute pain. After leaving the hospital, my doctor placed me on three antibiotics and Lactinex. I am on a low fiber diet. Three family members suffer with diverticulitis also.

I am about 25lbs over weight and I eat often a balanced meal.

So I have no idea why my diverticulitis flared up; not even the doctor did.

By Spotiche5 — On Jan 27, 2015

@ocelto60- You should try adding other ingredients to enhance the flavor of your favorite kinds of yogurt. Fruit, nuts, honey, and even chocolate syrup will make yogurt more of a treat than something you only eat because you have to.

By Ocelot60 — On Jan 26, 2015

My doctor recommended that I eat yogurt on a regular basis as part of my diverticulitis diet. The problem is that I don't find most kinds of yogurts very appealing. What are some alternatives to the commercial brands that all taste the same to me.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-diverticulitis-diet.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.