Diverticulitis Diet

The Diverticulitis Diet is a diet intended to prevent further attacks of diverticulitis, or prevent the symptoms of this painful abdominal disorder.

Principle of the Diverticulitis diet

Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the lining of the intestine become infected or inflamed. Symptoms of diverticulitis include cramps, bloat, upset stomach and diarrhea or constipation.

The main cause of diverticulitis is a a low-fiber diet. The Diverticulitis Diet, therefore, is designed to prevent further attacks of diverticulitis by increasing your daily fiber intake.

What are you allowed to eat on the Diverticulitis diet?

The following are highly recommended by the Diverticulitis Diet:

Legumes;
Bran cereals;
Fruit;
Vegetables – especially broccoli and leafy greens.

The Diverticulitis Diet also recommends drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily.

What is forbidden on the Diverticulitis diet?

Nothing is forbidden by the Diverticulitis Diet, although the diet recommends the following should be eaten sparingly:

Processed food – such as fried food;
Meat;
Processed white flour - such as white bread;
Nuts;
Seeds - such as strawberries.

The Diverticulitis Diet also recommends that people who recently have had an attack of diverticulitis should stay on a low-fiber diet until the infection or inflammation clears. Certain foods should not be eaten, such as nuts and seeds.

Pros and Cons of the Diverticulitis diet

The Diverticulitis Diet recommends making healthy dietary choices, such as removing the level of processed food. The Diverticulitis Diet also does not contain any restrictions, and therefore is easy to follow.

If you have had a recent attack of diverticulitis, it is recommended that you slowly increase your fiber intake. The body may not be able to adjust to a sudden increase in fiber, which can cause abdominal upsets and diarrhea.

Daily and Weekly Plans for the Diverticulitis diet

Below is a sample Diverticulitis Diet:

Breakfast: Bran cereal.

Lunch: Large salad.

Dinner: 4-5oz chicken or fish, salad, two cups of vegetables.

The Diverticulitis Diet recommends that you should start off by consuming about 5-15 grams of fiber per day. Eventually this should be increased to about 25-35 grams of fiber per day.

Expected Weight Loss on the Diverticulitis diet

There are no reports of expected weight loss with the Diverticulitis Diet. The Diverticulitis Diet is intended to prevent diverticulitis from occurring, or re-occurring.