How to Plan a Diverticulitis Diet

A diverticulitis diet can help to prevent or stop a diverticulitus event in it's tracks. Caused when the pockets in your intestinal wall become inflamed and infected, diverticulitus events can be extremely painful. The goal of is to eat a low residue diet to decrease your bowel activity so that your intestinal wall can have the time it needs to heal properly. Follow these steps to create your diverticulitus diet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Aim for less than 12 fiber grams a day. Lowering your fiber intake will in turn lower your bowel activity and help your intestinal wall to begin healing during a bout of diverticulitus. Increase your water intake.

2. Eat fruits such as watermelon, peaches, grapes, canned fruit cocktail and applesauce. Drink all fruit juices with the exception of prune juice which can counteract your diverticulitus diet. Stay away from any dried or raw fruits. Avoid eating any berry fruits or fruits containing seeds.

3. Eat vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, squash, potatoes without the skin, beets, green beans, carrots, celery and eggplant. Drink any vegetable juices like V8 or tomato juice. Stay away from cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts.

4. Eat specific grains such as white rice, pasta, plain cereals and english muffins. Avoid any breads or cereals that boast they are made of whole grains.

5. Eat foods from the meat group such as eggs, fish and meats that are cooked well done. Avoid any beans such as kidney or lentils. Stay away from ALL nuts. Stay away from seeds of any kind as these may cause your diverticulitus to worsen.

6. Getting back on track. Once your diverticulitus diet has helped your intestinal wall heal - slowly get back to eating a high fiber diet. Eating high fiber has been shown to help prevent future diverticulitus events.

Tips & Warnings

• Increase your fluid intake during a diverticulitus attack.
• Avoid all seeds, seeded fruits and nuts at all costs! These will aggravate your condition!