![Diet Plans and Nutrition [Home]](/images/everydiet5.png "Every Diet [Home]"){kind=small}
Diverticulitis
CONTENTS
Diverticulosis
Diverticulitis
High Fiber diet
Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid
Diverticulosis is a condition in which the inner lining layer of the large intestine or colon bulges out
(herniates) through the outer, muscular layer. These ‘outpouchings’ are called diverticula.
Diverticulitis is the term for inflammation and infection in one or more diverticula.
A person having diverticulosis (the condition), and perhaps diverticulitis (the inflammation) as well, is said to
have diverticular disease.
Diverticulosis Symptoms, Causes and Management
Diverticula occur in a colon weakened by age, when increased pressure inside the colon (usually due to constipation) causes little pea-shaped pouches of weakness in the intestine wall. The chance of developing diverticula increases with age, so that by age 50 between 20 and 50 percent of all people will have some diverticula, and by age 90 virtually everyone will.
Treatment
This diverticulosis is usually symptom-free, so that most people do not realize they have it. However, a few people will experience spasms and pain. Relieving the constipation, primarily by increasing fiber in the diet, can reduce the problems associated with diverticulosis. If cramps, bloating, and constipation are problems, the doctor may prescribe a short course of pain medication. However, many medications cause the colon to empty, an undesirable side effect for people with diverticulosis.
Diverticulitis Symptoms, Causes and Management
A person with diverticulosis may get diverticulitis when waste matter and bacteria are trapped in a pouch (diverticula). This blockage interferes with the blood supply to the area, and infection sets in. The tissue then becomes inflamed or infected, and in severe cases may even rupture. An attack of diverticulitis can result in fever, pain and tenderness around the left side of the lower abdomen.
The infection and irritation of nearby tissues within the abdomen may cause the abdominal muscles to spasm. About 25 percent of all patients with diverticulitis will have some rectal bleeding, although this rarely becomes severe. Diverticulitis is three times more likely to occur in the left side of the large intestine, and men are three times as likely as women to suffer with diverticulitis.
Treatment
Treatment for diverticulitis focuses on clearing up the infection and inflammation with antibiotics, resting the colon with a liquid diet plus a pain reliever or a drug such as propantheline (Pro-Banthine) to control muscle spasms, and preventing or minimizing complications. Acute or repeated attacks with severe pain or severe infection may be serious enough to require a hospital stay and possibly surgery.
High Fiber Diet Recommendations
High Fiber Diet for Diverticular Disease
This diverticulitis diet is a high fiber diet for managing diverticulosis, and for reducing effects of diverticulitis. The increased fiber (the American Dietetic Association recommends 20 to 35 grams daily, including 6-8 grams of soluble fiber) in this diverticulitis diet plan produces more bulk in the stool, reducing pressure in the colon and assisting the more regular and complete elimination of waste, thereby preventing the formation of further diverticula.
Build up consumption of fiber in your diet gradually – rapid fiber increase may result in gas, cramping, bloating, or diarrhea. There are other benefits in having different kinds of fiber in a balanced diverticulitis diet: it helps to protect against cancer of the colon and rectum, and assists in preventing heart disease and a number of other health problems. Foods containing fiber also tend to comprise nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E and selenium, useful in fighting cancer.
Increase Fluid and Fiber
Anyone with diverticulitis who increases their fiber intake under this diverticulitis diet plan, should drink at least 1.5 liters (3 pints) daily. Insoluble fiber needs fluid to form stools that are easily passed. Medical advice may be to take a fiber supplement such as Metamucil daily (for soluble fiber from psyllium), and to use a cholesterol-lowering spread or margarine containing plant sterols. Fiber supplements provide about 2 to 3.5 grams of fiber per tablespoon, which is mixed with a quarter liter (8 ounces) of water before consuming.
Should Seeds Be Eaten?
Until recently, many doctors suggested avoiding foods with small seeds because it was believed that particles could lodge in the diverticula and cause inflammation. However, this is now a controversial point and no evidence supports this recommendation. So the seeds in tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, strawberries and raspberries, as well as poppy seeds, which are part of your diverticulitis diet, are generally considered harmless.
Diverticulitis Diet Guidelines
Foods to Eat
- Breads and grains (6-11 servings daily)
- Bread, pastas, pizzas, pancakes, muffins, bagels, pita bread (use whole-grain, whole-wheat flours, and
add 2-3 tsp of unprocessed wheat bran to, or substitute oat bran for one third of all-purpose flour in homemade
breads, muffins and other baked goods) - Whole-wheat, whole-grain and bran cereal products
- Buckwheat and stone-ground cornmeal
- Rye bread
- Whole wheat crackers or crisp breads
- Oatmeal, oat bran, or grits
- Barley, dry
- Wheat germ
- Whole wheat pasta
- Brown rice
Eat raw or dried fruits and raw vegetables if possible – chopping, peeling, cooking, pureeing, juicing, and processing
fruit and vegetables may reduce fiber content.
Vegetables (3-5 servings daily)
- All vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, greens (such as beet greens, kale,
collards, Swiss chard and turnip greens), green beans, green pepper, onions, peas, potatoes with skin, Romaine,
snow peas, green snap beans, pole beans, broad beans, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, turnips.
Fruit (2-4 servings daily)
- All fruits such as apple, apricot, banana, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, dates, fig, grapefruit, nectarine,
orange, peach, pear, pineapple, prune.
Milk/dairy (2-3 servings daily)
- Increase fiber in yogurt or cottage cheese by adding fresh fruit, whole grain or bran cereals.
Meat/meat substitutes (2-3 servings or total of about 180 gm or 6 oz daily)
- All beans and peas such as aduki, baked beans, black beans, fava, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, lentils, lima beans,
pinto beans and split peas. - Smooth peanut butter and other smooth nut butters.
- All meat (increase fiber in meat dishes like meatloaf, casseroles, by adding 2-3 tsp of unprocessed wheat bran
or pinto beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, or oatmeal), poultry, fish, and eggs
Fats and snacks
- Whole-wheat pretzels, baked tortilla corn chips or trail mix made with dried fruits.
- Cakes, breads, and cookies made with oatmeal or fruit.
- Bean dip
Foods to Avoid
Any hard or difficult-to-digest foods, such as nuts, corn, popcorn hulls, and sunflower, pumpkin, caraway, and sesame seeds.
For more indepth information consider this book: Diverticulitis (How to Cope Successfully With)
These ebooks are also available.
The Fastest Way To End Digestive Pain Forever
New Diverticulitis Breakthrough
I need to know if coconut is taboo when one has diverticulosis (and attacks of diverticulitis). Can’t find any “coconut” references anywhere. Do you know? Thanks.
I’ve had diverticulosis since 1997 and have been down with diverticulitis 2 to 3 times a year ever since.
I’m suffering with diverticulitis presently and have been since the week before Christmas (08). I’m on a third regimen of antibiotics, twice on two at a time. My doctor doesn’t seem to know what I should eat or not eat. Says dairy ok, fiber good, but stay away from nuts and popcorn and anything with small seeds in it.
I’ve been living on a liquid diet for over five weeks, occasionally eating an avocado or canned peaches. I’ve cooked Quaker oat bran a few times but I’m not sure it was a good decision so I’ve given it up. I tried eating yogurt which contains bifidus regularis, drinking a probiotic with casei immunitas and an acidophylus (live culture) capsule which seems to compound the gas & pressure problem but I’m not sure about that either. The bottom line is: I don’t know what is good or what is bad.
The antibiotics have to be raising hell with my liver and kidneys but every time I finish a regimen, I’m on a new one in just a few days.
I’ve lost twenty pounds in five weeks, I’m so week I can hardly stand without trembling, and I’m still in pain though the pain has abated a bit over time.
Does anyone know for certain what I can eat before I waste away completely? It’s damn sure the doctors don’t know!
I was waking up in the middle of the night in pain and throughing up and the runs. I can’t tell you how may emergency room visits I have had. When I get there they give an antibiotic and pain med. and send you home. Finally I had a CT scan done and a colonoscopy. The Dr. said it is diverticulitis. I have a very balanced diet and do excersize. I haven’t had any problems with dairy so far. Good luck everyone, BECAUSE i BELEIVE THAT IS ALL WE HAVE.
I recently had been diagnosed with diverticulitis. I know one thing after reading all this that alot of doctor’s are pretty stupid when it comes to this disease. Defenitely gotta watch what we eat for sure. Take care everyone!!!!!!
I was so relieved to find this site and read everyone’s comments. Have suffered from diverticulitis for over 10 years, at least that’s when it was diagnosed. Have thought I was going to die many times. Dr’s only want to prescribe antibotics or surgery. So…I’ve found..any foods that get “glommy” (white flour products ie. breads, muffins, pizza etc)and cooked cheese, take too long to get through the system and sit there decaying cause a problem, too much fiber that zips quickly through the colon will cause irritation. A little whole wheat/oatmeal flour products now and then are ok..a little fruit (peel apples), vegetables everyday, lots of water and some exercise make this whole ordeal manageable. Listen to your body and it will let you know very clearly what works and what doesn’t. Best of luck to all of you and thanks for the good advice.
October 9th had severe pain on my left side.Went to the er where they told me I had Diverticulities and wound up in the hospital for over a week.Doctor told me if it happens again they will have to open me up.A week and a half later I was back in the hospital.The first hospital did not do what they said they were going to do instead they opened me up and only cleaned out the area never taking out the bad part of the colon.After the surgery I wound up with staff infection, Mercer,and two other infections I cannot pronounce OH yea also peronities.This hospital told my wife to start making arrangements for my funeral because there was nothing they could do for me.My wife could not believe what she was hearing (I mean I’m only 43 yrs old this shouldn’t happen)had me heliported to another hospital.All an all I spent 3 months in the hospital lost 44lbs only weight 165 in the begining and I have to go through this again in June to have it reveresed.Scared doesnt even describe how I feel.I’ve been out of the hospital for 3 weeks now.Eating a little better and I’ve been walking but I still have pain.Doctor says its normal and I should start feeling better once I put some weight back on.I Hope cause I still feel that I’m not out of the woods just yet.Good Luck to who ever has this.My prayers are with you
We came home from dinner last Thursday and the abdominal pains started about an hour later. I stayed home from work on Friday. Went to the walk-in clinic Friday afternoon and did not get out of the ER until after midnight. I was SEVERLY dehydrated. I was put on two different antibiotics and given something for the pain. Thankfully, I haven’t needed that. I was afraid to eat anything. It seems that even a week later all I can keep in my is peanut butter and jelly-s, ice cream and bread/butter. I, too, am nervous about eating. I LOVE spicy foods. Anyone have a problem eating that?
I’ve got diverticulosis, so I definitely understand your pain. I think those of us that do have it, should follow the guidelines, and just be careful what we eat from now on. I have been lazy in exercising, and I think that had a lot to do with it. Being that it’s so close with IBS, doesn’t help us either. I know I’ve lost 7 lbs just by watching what foods I DO eat. Drinking lots of water again, has helped me with BM’s. Not trying to be gross. It sure doesn’t feel good to be in pain, and I’m sorry for anyone, that’s ended up with surgery, trying to find out the problem. Take care
I have a question for everyone with Diverticulitis. How many of you were on a low carb diet at the time you got sick? I ask because I was doing the Atkins 3-4 years ago and ended up in the hospital. Now my mom has been hospitalized for the off and on for the last 5 weeks and getting ready to under go surgery Thursday. It was not until the second week that they discovered her diverticulitis, although I told her twice that I thought she had it. She has a terrible abscess with two fistulas. I am trying to see if there is some relation with the low carb (ie no fiber) and this disease. Any feedback would be great.
Nov.10 6pm sudden discomfort.
Nov.11 severe pain. Stayed in bed all day could not eat.
Nov.12 seen a Doctor he requested several test.
Nov.12 remove appendix.
Nov.13 ongoing pain in same area Right side middle of stomach. Several test again… diagnosed Diverticulitis. Emergency Surgery that removed TWO FEET of Right side of large intestine and portion of small intestine.
Note; I did not have any previous attacks before Nov. 10, 2008. Thought it was stomach flu.
By the time of second surgery I was totally inflamed with bacteria from the colon leaking. After surgery I spent twelve days in Hospital. Today is Jan. 4, 2009. I have discomforts;PAIN/SPASMS above the naval area. I am afraid when I eat a meal. I am researching as of today if I need a certain Diet. I am also confused about what to eat. My Doctor said to eat anything…Nuts are ok…Just chew your food. I believe I will have to be my own care taker and research to avoid another surgery.
I was just diagnosed with Divticulitis this week , was up walking the floor with abdomilnal pain and spasms that lasted all night , called my Doc and she sent me to the ER for a CT with contrast and it showed divericulits. I’m on antibiotics and the brat diet which is bannanas , rice , applesauce and toast. I’m supposed to do this for a week then start adding a bit of fiber, like most people on here I am reading lots and it seems no one knows what to eat. I know I don’t want to go through this again.
The two main causes of the diverticulae to enlarge or become infected are lack of body movement and lack of proper flora in the system. Antibiotics are BAD, folks, because they kill off healthy flora. They are the No. 1 reason for most intestinal illnesses. I’ve been taking more flora, doing yoga and avoiding both seeds (especially sesame) and dairy. I almost died 4 years ago, terrible pain, weight loss and bleeding. I took everything out of my diet and slowly put back things one by one and found that dairy was my enemy. By introducing healthy flora, stopping antibiotics and dairy, and moving more (even just daily stretches in the morning) I began having 2 bowel movements a day, zero pain and zero problems. Now if I have a Big Mac or sushi (uh oh, sesame seeds!) the pain comes right back. Lactaid or similar pills only mask dairy problems, they do NOT solve them. As long as you eat slowly, chew carefully, MOVE that body around more and help your intestine by adding healthy flora, you can really improve. Ask yourself, what mammal eats dairy past the first year? NONE. Dairy is bad for humans, you can get your calcium in hundreds of other ways. Switch to soy or rice milk.
If you eat three times a day, you should be having at least TWO bowel movements a day. If not, you are in serious trouble. Your body will get used to the schedule, 12 hours apart works very well. Soon your body will tell you “Hey, I need to go” and you need to heed the call and NOT PUT IT OFF, no matter what. Excersise is the answer to helping movements!
Dr’s know nothing about intestinal health, they only know two things: Surgery and antibiotics and pain relievers because that’s what they’re taught. I asked a Dr. about intestinal flora supplements and he had NO IDEA what I was talking about. This was a degreed gastroenterologist! I gave them to a friend recovering from throat cancer who was being fed thru a stomach tube. The Dr.s would not let him off the tube until he gained weight. He couldn’t because of the antibiotics were killing off his flora, result? Loose, bloody stools. I told him to stop the antibiotics and go on the flora supplements. He gained 10 pounds in two weeks and the Dr’s. took out his stomach tube. He’s now quite healthy and is extremely thankful.
I hope this info helps people, because it really helped me and I’m still alive!
In April 2008 the AMA revised the opinion & now says that seeds & nuts are OK. The important thing is to get lots of fiber & water in the diet.
Diverticulosis Symptoms, Causes and Management
I went to the Doctor’s thinking that I had an upper respitory infection. She diagnosed me with diverticulitis and prescribed antibiotics. I called her later that day asking what to use for the pain. She suggested that I go to ER. Waited a few hours, went to ER and was hospitalized 3 days. Still not sure what caused this. WIll be trying to eat the bare minimal of what’s allowable.
Nice
I just got back from the Dr and results from a CT scan. Have been in pain for a week and was in the hospital in April for 5 days with a blood clot in the large intestine and have had recurring problems. He has me on a No fiber or lactos diet until this calms down, than he said to go to fiber. Apparently everybody agrees on enriched white bread, potatoes, etc but avoid all raw fruits and vegies. Does this mean I’m going to weigh 300 lbs? I love to cook and eat 2 vegies a night and eat healthy, so it wasn’t a lack of fiber that did this. Anybody have a clue? Doctors don’t seem to know very much about this.
I am searching for a guide for cooking for one
I went to the Doctor’s thinking that I had an upper respitory infection. She diagnosed me with diverticulitis and prescribed antibiotics. I called her later that day asking what to use for the pain. She suggested that I go to ER. Waited a few hours, went to ER and was hospitalized 3 days. Still not sure what caused this. WIll be trying to eat the bare minimal of what’s allowable.
i know that divertriclitis pain is mostly found in the lower left portion of the stomach area. but at times i also have alot of more pressur then pain in my upper quad region left side of my stomach when it acts up on me does anyone else have this same symptom or am i alone with this.
i find it hard to believe a diet with pizza, pancakes, muffins and alot of the other crap is healthy for anyone- let alone a person with a stomach issue- IS THIS FOR REAL?????
Why is there no clear facts on what to eat? I have been to several different sites, and every one is different on what to eat. I am afraid to eat anything, I don’t want the pain anymore, I can’t afford the hospital bills.
Not much comment of gut flora. My guess is the big different between the people with DD that never get sick and the people that do is the flora / blood supply in the intestines.
I have had many bouts of diverticulitis and tomatoes (with seeds removed) or red sauce have been involved each time along with some rough food like nuts. I have a garden and compost vegetables. When I add lots of tomatoes to the nicely smelling earthy mix, it sours the next day. The bacteria digesting the vegetables turns so foul I have to find a new place to compost for a while.
I can give myself canker sores in my mouth by drinking 3 glasses of orange juice for three days in a row. The OJ does something to my mouth lining that causes bacteria to invade and cause an infection. I picture diverticulitis to have similar means of flare-up.
I hope someday they find something similar to the H.Pylori/peptic ulcer connection for diveticulitis. We are still in the dark ages for this disease. It is amazing how little is known about a major killer disease. Suffers have to sort the myth from fact at every turn.
Fiber does not stop acute attacks. I eat as much fiber as a human can and still get attacked.
The main thing for me is to avoid dairy. Someone commented to eat pizza. This is the biggest no no and i cant even believe a doctor would say this. The cheeze gets into the pouches and ferments and causes infection and great pain. also very fatty foods are not good like pepperoni and fatty sausage.
I know that the last two bouts (most recently the last 3 weeks) that it was nuts that nailed me with the diverticulitis. A couple years ago, I had cooked with crunchy peanut butter against my better judgement and sure enough, a couple days later, I was in the ER with an attack. Most recently, I’d been good and been staying away from cashews and thought, well, maybe just this once. I had cashew chicken at a buffet and, you guessed it, this has been the sickest I’ve ever been. In and out of the ER for the last 3.5 weeks or more admitted for 4 days acute diverticulitis and dehydration. Now I’m looking to have another colonoscopy in a couple weeks and praying that I don’t need surgery. 3 bouts of diverticulitis since 2001 and 2 of them being in the past couple years. Stay away from nuts..
I was just recently diagnosed with diverticulitis. On my vacation this past 4th of July week I went to the Dr. because I thought I had some kind of an infection. My right side had been hurting and I didn’t want to be ill on the 4th and miss the fireworks at an annual party my husband and I go to. My doctor couldn’t find an infection but said my white blood count was 20,000 and should only be 10,000. He immediately thought it was my appendix, the signs and symptoms were there, and when he pushed on my right side where my appendix is it nearly brought me off the table. He sent me strait to the hospital for a CT SCAN. Once the scan had been read the emergency room Dr. said my appendix was fine and perfectly normal but….I had SEVERE Diverticulitis and my colon was on the verge of rupturing and they admitted me immediately.and told me there was a very good chance they would have to do surgery, and could possibly have to remove 6 inches of my colon. Luckily I have not had to have this done. It has only been a few weeks and I have already been back to the Dr. and am on antibiotics.
The odd thing was every time I would ask my Dr’s what can I eat or not eat the only things they would say was Nuts, & seeds and of course popcorn. Apparently no one is to educated on this. I just hope others are smart enough to look it up on the WEBMD site and read and learn. Good luck to us all who have this because it appears to be up to each individual to control or even eliminate this from our lives.
My GI doctor says to not only avoid all nuts, but also said he wants me to avoid all raw vegetables, including salads. He said if my primary or only why to get fiber is through salads then go ahead since fiber is very important, but otherwise avoid uncooked vegetables. Heck I use to sit down and eat small bags of baby carrots for snacks rather than a bag of chips.
This diet seems sensible and I can tell you from experience drink a ton of water as it makes a huge difference. I recently was on antibiotics on and off for 6 weeks because I developed an abscess that got so bad it created a fistula connection to my bladder. I heard this could happen but was not common. Well guess what, it happened and it is unpleasant. Though I am felling much better, the doctors say I must have a portion of the “diseased colon” removed and have the fistula repaired. The colon is then resected and if everything goes according to plan my down time will be a couple of weeks if done laproscopically. It is however major surgery and I am not looking forward to it. Anyway a ton of water and lots of fiber seem to be the consensus to help avoid flare ups and you had better believe that I will improve my diet so as to not go through this again.
Moderation in all things, a healthy balanced diet, regular exercise, chewing your food properly and drinking plenty of water. All these will help prevent diverticulitis and many other ailments as well.
I have read many sites concerning this issue since ending up in the hospital. This is a good definition of the disease but I dont know if I can eat the amount of food suggested here. I would be obese if I did. This issue about seeds & nuts is confusing.
Why would nuts or seeds that are chewed into a paste or somehow mashed up be bad for you? If the issue is the seeds getting caught in the diverticuli, then would chewed well nuts & seeds be ok? Or are they toxic in themselves. The health benefits of some nuts & sunflower seed is a great loss. Some Diverticulosis sites say the nuts & seed theory is not proven and some sites blame meat because it putrifys and some blame processed foods. Everyone agrees on Fiber but Flax seed is seed,small cracked seed. Some folks say no to dairy & the Drs. just completely drown you with antibiotics which may be necessary but they dont seem concerned w/your lack of good bacteria when thats over. I think everyone needs to get as much info as you can & try to make sense of it. Don’t forget the probiotics & herbs-especially Slippery Elm. I hate this disease & hope all who are bothered by it will not give up.
Straight forward giving you the understanding of what the problem is and how to manage what you eat. Not too much of a menu.