Diverticular Disease and Diet (2024)

FAQs

Does drinking a lot of water help diverticulosis? ›

You can help prevent diverticulitis by drinking plenty of water, getting regular exercise, and eating lots of fiber. Most cases are mild, but it can be severe and lead to serious medical conditions and surgery.

Actually, no specific foods are known to trigger diverticulitis attacks. And no special diet has been proved to prevent attacks. In the past, people with small pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the colon were told to avoid nuts, seeds and popcorn.

What's the worst thing for diverticulitis? If you're having a diverticulitis flare-up, eating foods that are high in fiber may make it worse. During a flare-up, you should eat low-fiber foods, which are easier than high-fiber foods to digest. Giving your digestive system a chance to rest will help ease your symptoms.

Mild cases of diverticulitis are usually treated with antibiotics and a low-fiber diet, or treatment may start with a period of rest where you eat nothing by mouth, then start with clear liquids and then move to a low-fiber diet until your condition improves. More-severe cases typically require hospitalization.

If certain foods high in roughage (insoluble fiber) give you twinges of discomfort-like corn, salads, nuts, very seedy foods-then you may find foods rich in soluble fiber to be more comfortable. Try foods like oatmeal, squashes, carrots, beets, mango, papaya and melon to boost your soluble fiber intake.

Your healthcare provider may advise a liquid diet. This gives your bowel a chance to rest so that it can recover. Include these foods: flake cereal, mashed potatoes, pancakes, waffles, pasta, white bread, rice, applesauce, bananas, eggs, fish, poultry, tofu, and well-cooked vegetables.

Lean protein: Eggs and tender cuts of meat (think shredded chicken, baked fish, and ground beef) are usually easy to digest. Cooked fruits and vegetables: You may need to remove the skin if you believe it has caused irritation in the past.

Symptoms of Diverticulosis

When this occurs, there may be thin or pellet-shaped stools, constipation, and an occasional rush of diarrhea. The problem then becomes a mechanical or structural one, and treatment is more difficult.

What is the new treatment for diverticulitis? ›

Probiotics combined with mesalazine have also emerged as an alternative potential therapeutic strategy in preventing recurrent attacks of diverticulitis. One series reported that treatment with mesalazine and/or lactobacillus casei induced remission in 88% of their patients at a median follow-up of 2 years.

Practice changer. Tell patients with diverticular disease that they can eat nuts, corn, and popcorn without fear. There is no truth to the long-held belief that these foods increase the risk of complications.

Dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, and milk, are problematic for people with diverticulitis for two reasons. First, if you have diverticulitis, you may also have lactose intolerance. This means that eating dairy may create bloating, diarrhea, and gas symptoms. Second, dairy products are high in fat.

Dehydration: Lack of water can cause the buildup of waste products and bacteria in the colon, leading to diverticulitis. Diet: Low dietary fiber and higher fat intake or red meat can increase the diverticulitis flare-up.

Diverticulosis: What to Eat. Cater says people with diverticulosis can benefit from eating fiber-rich foods, including: Whole grains, such as quinoa, bulgur, teff, barley, popcorn, oats, shredded wheat or bran cereals, and whole grain breads. Beans and legumes, including black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas and lentils.

You can get some fluids from the foods you eat—especially foods with high water content, such as most fruits and vegetables. Water is the best beverage choice to stay hydrated. Avoid or limit sugar-sweetened beverages, including regular soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened coffee and tea.

A clear liquid diet may be recommended for 2 to 3 days.

Examples include the following: Water and clear juices (such as apple, cranberry, or grape), strained citrus juices or fruit punch. Coffee or tea (without cream or milk)