What Is The Diverticulitis Diet?

Food And Drink Allowed On The Diet

Individuals with no flare-ups are told to eat a high-fiber diet to avoid trouble. This has been shown to be effective because it softens the stools and speeds them through the digestive system, lowering pressure on the intestinal walls. If an acute flare-up develops, the physician may order either a low-fiber diet or a liquid diet. A high-fiber diet may aggravate the intensity of the pain because the colon is more active when digesting fiber.

Food and drink allowed on the diverticulitis diet include white rice, bread, and pasta; processed fruits like applesauce and canned peaches; cooked protein like fish, poultry, and eggs; as well as low-fiber cereal. Oils such as olive and canola, and cooked vegetables such as carrots, asparagus, beets, squash, and zucchini, as good as well. Potatoes should be skinless, and any seeds in fruits should be removed. Patients should avoid gluten if they are sensitive to it or also suffer from celiac disease.

A liquid diet is given to a patient having a severe flare-up, and it usually lasts a short time. Plenty of water is encouraged, as well as coffee or tea with no cream, sugar or sweeteners. Ice chips, ice pops with fruit puree, gelatin, broth, and clear electrolyte drinks are all possibilities. Eight cups of fluid per day are recommended for proper hydration and to aid the colon in healing.

Learn more about the foods individuals on the diverticulitis diet should avoid now.