A Possible Diet Plan for Those with Diverticulitis

By CH Woods

Diverticulitis typically develops when the pouches in your large intestine become swollen. Nutritional changes can help the colon recover. Diverticulosis is a problem by which little protruding pockets known as diverticula form within the lower part of the intestinal tract, generally in the colon. 

Constipation and forcing in the course of bowel movements can aggravate the condition. A diet full of fiber might help soften stools and protect against swelling. Dietary fiber is a vital part of a diet for sufferers of diverticulosis. Eating fiber daily will help you to pass stool quickly with ease.

The Best Diet for Diverticulosis: If you have diverticulosis then you need to add more fiber to your diet. As said, fiber helps to soften stool which prevents constipation. Additionally, it might help lower the pressure in your colon and help reduce flare-ups of diverticulitis symptoms.

Foods that you should add to your diet include:

• Whole Grain Cereals
• Beans
• Corn
• Apples
• Whole Wheat Bread
• Bran
• Bananas
• Whole Wheat Pasta
• Legumes
• Broccoli
• Brown Rice
• Squash
• Carrots

If you presently do not have a diet plan full of fiber, you need to include fiber gradually to your diet. If you add fiber to your diet too fast then problems such as abdominal discomfort and bloating may develop.

Healthy Foods for Diverticulitis: If you have symptoms of diverticulitis, stick to a liquid diet until the problems stop. Your physician will tell you when you should move on to solids and eventually back to your regular diet.

A liquid diet means absolutely no solid foods.

Fruit juices should not even have any pulp at all. 

You should only consume:

• Beet Juice
• Cranberry Juice
• Celery Juice
• Popsicles
• Slippery Elm Tea
• Apple Juice
• Lettuce Juice
• Carrot Juice
• Broth
• Water
• Grape Juice

After you can consume solid foods once again, only eat foods low in fiber at first, which can include:

• Canned fruit with no skin or seeds like melon and applesauce
• White rice
• Ground or tender meat
• Eggs
• White bread
• Pasta
• Seedless and skinless canned vegetables
• Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese
• Cereal low in fiber

After your problems get better, which generally takes about two to four days, you can include around ten grams of fiber back into your daily diet. 

Only eat a fiber-rich diet after all of your symptoms have cleared up.

Many medical professionals suggest staying away from nuts and seeds when on a diverticulitis diet, however there isn't any definite medical information proving this, though if you think that seeds may result in diverticulitis then it is best to simply avoid them.

A diverticulitis diet is not really required unless you are suffering from symptoms of it. After your symptoms improve you need to slowly increase how much fiber you can eat in order to let your digestive system return to normal.

Additionally, it is crucial that you have a multivitamin when on any kind of diet to make sure you are receiving the right amount of minerals and vitamins on a daily basis. It is important that you absorb the recommended amount of nutrients your body needs every day.

It is said that it is possible to prevent diverticulitis by drinking plenty of water and working out frequently. Doing exercises and drinking fluids both help to sustain healthy bowel performance which helps you to reduce the development of diverticulitis.

More fiber will also help prevent problems like diverticulitis. Common high fiber foods include several vegetable sources and fiber supplements which you can ask your doctor or dietitian about.

Medical: Your diet has an important role on your overall health and wellbeing, therefore it is important that you be sure that you have professional medical advice before you make any changes to your lifestyle and how you eat. 

If you notice any symptoms of diverticulitis or diverticulosis

then seek medical care as soon as possible.

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CH Woods is the Executive Director of Organic and Environmental Products.
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