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

diverticulitis-diet 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

443 Comments

I was diagnosed with this disease 2 days ago stayed in hospital one day..would like for anyone to give me info on how to eat and what exactly to eat..In a lot of pain and this is very new to me..so any suggestions would help.

by chreyse on 4/1/10

What started me off with diverticulitis was my life style. See, I was in a hurry to get my chores done at home before starting off with my 25 mile drive to work for the evening shift … I missed my regular lunches two days in a row and stopped off both days at the same small store and bought a Pop and some Cracker-Jacks (peanuts crumbs and popcorn).
At the end of the second evening shift of this routine I was doubled-up at home in pain and drove myself to the hospitol. I was in so much pain I could have operated on myself while seating in the waiting room if I had a knife (HA! kidding!). “That damn popcorn!”, i kept saying afterwards. Yeah, it had a surprise in it for me (HA!HA!HA!HA!) But, you’d think I had learned something about ME. A couple months later after feeling well again it was some type of Hors D’ourves I was asked to try (only two I ate) … it was a cracker with a piece of cheese and meat AND A BIT OF SHRMP COCKTAIL SAUCE. That night I doubled-up with pain again (WOW!). I called the doctor, and I told her I told some medication I had left over from the last event and was headed out to the hospotal. She said “NO” to take another pill in 10 hours and come to her office in the morning. I sat in her office feeling pretty good, some pain on the left side, but good. So now, I have medicine ON HAND for an emergency, you know, in case I screw up again for a quick recovery. Now, I flag stuff to never-ever expose myself to ever-ever again in my entire life. And hey, my arthritis medicine was another cause of having an affect on my digestive track. My wonderful lady doctor has me on different medication for that now too. You should look into how your other medications afect you.
This evening I ate some smoked sausage, turkey sausage, and a hot dog straight off the grill dipped ever so slightly in Ketshup, and a small side dish of Ritz WHEAT crackers and provalone cheese … and hey I’m that diabetic who lost 46 pounds in five months (my diet is real critical). I still question my wife, “Can I eat that, are you sure, … Is there any seeds in that sausage???” You think the Airports screening was bad, come to my house (No don’t, I’m kidding).
So, get a notebook and write the do’s and don’t about yourself … everyone’s system is different, learn about you! Well, it’s tea time, good luck to us all.

by Bill on 4/1/10

Hey, I got the good word two days in a row; Friday I hit the daily lottery number, I played it to help buy new tires for my daughter’s car, and Saturday my Doctor got the word to me that my AIC range has dropped significantly and with my weight loss – I can get off my my Diabetes Medicine. Her office asked about my diverticulitis, I replied over the phone, “I’m good!”
I managed to turn my health around with “Gained knowledge” and the support of others like my wife, and my Doctor … and a little plus from the PA. Lottery doesn’t hurt now and then (HA!). I think I’ll move my exercise bike up in the bedroom.
Tea time, good luck!

by Bill on 4/3/10

I suffer from Diverticulotis for 10 years, immediately after a double by-pass cardiac surgery during which Diabetes was detected.

The diets which helps a great deal is largely Indian/Chinese vegetable rich curries, rice, noodles etc. A banana in the morning and cereals with yoghurt starts the day.

Two tablets of BrioPharm Phyto-Zyme Organic Dietary Supplement of Veggie capsules in the morning has stabilized my bowel movements and general comfort.

by StephenL on 4/4/10

This isn’t a Diverticulitis diet, it is a Diverticulosis diet! The difference is that Diverticulitis is when you are having an infectious flair-up and you want a LOW RES/LOW FIBER diet! This is a HIGH FIBER diet for someone to prevent getting this disease or mainenance after the fact (Diverticulosis)! I would suggest a different website, this one didn’t do complete research!

by Tim on 4/5/10

i was diagnose with this disease 3 months ago. i have had two attacks.. i was in a lot of pain havin chills nausea and no appetite.. i want to learn how to eat right and stay pain free

by monique wilson on 4/9/10

ate popcorn two days in a row, what do I do, pain when going to the bathroom, fine, when not doing that, minor pain only….help

by scialina on 4/18/10

This is incredibly inaccurate. If you are having a diverticulitis flare up- and follow this diet (above)- you will probably die- either from the diverticulitis- or the pain involved.
During a flare- you should follow a “low residue diet” (which is low to NO fiber)until symptoms subside.
Whoever posted this diet without complete knowledge of the disease was unbelievably irresponsible.

by Coby on 4/27/10

I agree with Cody. The whole lots of whole grains and fiber is just going to make this worse. And if the one with diverticulosis is gluten sensitive (most people) it’s a double whammy. Fiber irritates the lining of the colon, which makes it produce mucus to protect and heal itself. Is that what we want, to irritate the colon? I don’t think so. Just stop eating junk (processed foods) and start a paleo diet. That’s what I do. The whole “gotta have 1-3 bowel movements a day” thing is , excuse the pun, crap.

by Dave b on 5/3/10

If you are having a flare up first follow a liquid diet to allow healing then bland/low residue LOW FIBER diet. Once healed then follow the diet above to avoid future flare ups.

by Elzabeth on 5/4/10

I was diagnosed 5 years ago and 3 months later had to have surgery to remove 8 inches of my intestines. I was a 34 year old male. My situation went out side of the norm. I tried IV antibiotics but that did not work. As far as the diet low fiber during flare ups and high when not??? This I’m not sure as a low fiber diet in the US and other regions I hear causes this. If you elect for the surgery be prepared for atleast 4-14 days living on an IV. Make sure you get up and walk around that will help open up your intstines from the surgery. No flare ups since and I’m hoping to never go through that again…….

by RV on 5/16/10

Hi my name is kenney,and i came with in 2 hours of dieing because i to had Diverticulitis, my colon blow up inside my body cavity and that is what all most killed me,so after not one but to major operations , and no guarantee from my doctors,infect they said i that the probability of me coming back to have the rest of my colon removed was 85%, To myself i said i don’t think so,that was 17 years ago and i have not had one problem with my colon,and here is why,i have taken complete control of my life now, i listen to no one but mother nature, because i never,never,never, want to experience the pain that i deed when i was suffering from Diverticulitis, i found the cure for me and it was so simple but it deed involve a life style change, and it is the best change a person could ask for, it has given back all of my health, helped me completely rebuild my body I’m 63 years young and can do the things that i was doing when i was 30, no more aches or pains. how did i do it, i stopped feeding my stomach and started feeding the 10 trillion cell that make my body, God tells us we are a live body so feed it live food and miracles well happen,and for me they have, you never need to suffer again know Mather what illness you are living with, you can cure it, that’s what the body does if you just give it a change,it is like when you cut your finger who heals that, You Do,your cells come to the rescue,the more nourishment in your cells the faster you heal, and goes for internally, it works the same way, now go learn to feed your cells and heal before you end up were i deed. God Bless

by kenneth on 5/20/10

I am 63. After suffering regular attacks every three months for many years and finally a hospital admission, my consultant told me attacks are caused by build-up of bacteria such as salmonella and shigella. I decided to cut out food likely to contain such bacteria i.e. dairy, cheese, yoghurt, eggs, chicken. That was four years ago. No attacks since. I am now a red-meat-and-fish-eating vegan.

by jane monahan on 5/24/10

i was diagnosed with this disease this past week i stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks the doctors had to be putting Morphin on me every 2 hours because the pain was so so so ssttrroonngg !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by billi romero on 6/1/10

I was diagnosed in March 2010 and was in the hospital for 4 days. Then I had my first flare up this weekend. My pain is in the lower right side of my pelvic area and I got really bloated. I went to urgent care and I was put on the antibiotics. Is this what they usually do for a flare up. I am so afraid to be put in the hospital again.

by cindy on 6/1/10

THIS COMMENT IS FOR CINDY, AM A HOMEOPATHIC DOCTOR AND I HAVE CURED A CASE OF DIVERTICULAR DISEASE SO YOU CAN TRY HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES IF YOU WANT I CAN SUGGEST SOME MEDICINES, for further contact mail to zearsait@yahoo.com

by DR ZEAR on 6/6/10

I had diverticulitis for the first time on 3/1/10, It was an acute attack in the left colon, my doctor of course put me on Flagyl and Cipro to heal the infection,but the cure was worse than the problem. I was so sick on the meds, they are nasty. I have been trying ever since to get to another doctor who specializes in the colon, but they wont let me get a referral until I get a cat scan, now cat scans put alot of radiation in your body so I want to get an MRI which does not do this. But at this point I have not been able to get in and have this done. This past weekend I suffered another flare-up but did not want to go to the doctor and go through the same old thing, so I took about a third cup of psyllium fiber in a large glass of water swettened with honey and some sour cherry concentrate, later in the day I ate two blueberry yogurts with ground flax seed mixed in (delicious), and for dinner I ate homemade guacamole with lots of fresh finely chopped garlic, delicious.
Before I went to bed I hade a large formed BM and today I feel 90% better, so I think the comments of a low fiber diet are not right at least for me, I wanted to get the whatever that was in there, out of my body pronto. I do admit that lately I have been eating alot of wrong foods, not rich in fiber, and the last flare-up I really tried to double up on fiber. I was eating alot of celery which has alot of strings which is fibrous and vegetables and lots of apples, also try eating only organic apples and please eat the seeds also, just chew them up really well, seeds are recommended by the Lord in Genesis.

by Gyda on 6/7/10

Can anyone put me onto a good healthy diet to help with DVT. My father has it and his Doctors diet seems ridiculous to me. please help

by Brendan on 6/14/10

In 1994, at the age of 26, I was diagnosed with this. I have been dealing with it since. It does not go away. Diet is the best control but it seems I have a severe case as with my current flare up, Flagyl and Cipro are not helping and yes, they are nasty but taken with food are tolerable. I am going in for a colonoscopy next week and am hoping to avoid surgery. Anyone have any recommendations? I’ve already tried, and am currently on, liquid diet, laxatives, etc.
Regards, CL

by CindyL on 6/14/10

I was diagnosed a year in a half ago with diverticulitis and have had multiple flare ups. I stay away from red meat, greasy food, spicy stuff, or any thing you would think to be irritating. I had a flare up four days ago and the antibiotics Flagyl and Cipro don’t really seem to be helping. I was given ten mg. of percocet to take for three days straight every six hours and I am getting very little relief. I am wondering if I should go back to dr and how helpful is it to get a colonoscopy? I constantly have diarrhea even when I am not having a flare up. Does any one have any idea what this could mean? It has me very worried.

by Rachael on 6/24/10

@Rachael- It sounds like all the antibiotics have destroyed the healthy flora in your intestines which is essential for proper bowel function. Have you tried taking probiotics and eating prebiotic foods?

by ted on 6/24/10

@-TED, My friend told me yesterday that she thought the same thing about my good bacteria getting destroyed. I have started a probiotic today and that Activia yogurt. What else is there for food to eat that would help?? Believe it or not today I have only had the softies a few times today, (surprise surprise) and I think it’s from eating rice and chicken plain basically. I feel I should go back to the dr though for the pain. My left side is killing me and I have ran out of pain meds. I don’t understand me taking low fiber right now instead of high fiber but I blew one hundred bucks at the store to get some better food. I would really like to know what will help my system though, thanks. How long does it take for probiotics to work?

by Rachael on 6/24/10

Go on line and bring up Sherry Brascea site – “Great Taste No Pain”. It may help you.

by Faye on 6/24/10

Hey Rachael, well good seems like it working some. a few weeks should have your good flora built back up. Here’s a prebiotic foods list that help feed the good bacteria, just be careful that some of these foods could aggravate the Diverticulitis. http://www.candidafood.com/2009/11/candida-and-prebiotic-foods-list/

by ted on 6/27/10

Thanks guys, I seem to be doing better everyday I have looked at both sites. I am so scared to have another flare up I feel like I am dying when it happens. But, not today, yay.

by Rachael on 6/29/10

I dont know how to help anyone on here but i do know that i cant really tell the difference between my low residue diet and high fiber one i still get pain and and severe bloating. I had my first flair up and acctually had a penetration of the colon wall and was hospitalize for 23 day so everyone on here that is worried i know the feelng. I do know that everyone here has the pain and issues that i do and one thing that truly worked for me was weight loss after the flair up and lots of excercise. It must be a mental thing cause when i started working out and walking it puts a healthy eating on the mind. Im only 28 and am trying everything cause i have a long life ahead of me and dont want to deal with the pain for the rest of it. If any one has any other suggestions please let me know Thank You

by Chris on 7/2/10

Ok so my dad had surgery for diverticulitis about 3years ago, he had 11 inches of his colon removed and had the colostomy bag for about 5months, hes had 2surgerys for hernias after surgery, and now 2years later he still has pain. why could this be? the pain is not by the scars from the surgery and he stays away from nuts, popcorn, seeds, everything hes suppose to. he refuses to go to the doctor because he does not want to have surgery again, can anyone help me understand why he is still having pain?

by LOrNRiN on 7/8/10

I have diverticular disease and also GERD..So what is good for one thing is bad for the other…So far after months of dieting I still have pain in my lower stomach…I know I need the high fiber but then I have to watch out for all the spicy foods and keep list of things I think that give me really bad flare-ups..anyone have both of these problems???

by Mary on 7/11/10

Tortilla chips are a big culprit for me. Avoid these. You can eat a couple, but who eats just a couple tortilla chips? Every time I’ve gone overboard on chips and salsa I get a flare up. Flare ups for me last weeks. I don’t feel I can really eat anything. Chicken is good, eggs are good, Bread esp whole grains, cherrios are great. Banana is good. But I really feel you have starve to a certain extent to heal right. I could be completely wrong. But you make dinner and you nibble at it and really don’t feel right about eating it if you are not going to process it properly. When I was in the hospital (only once so far) they starved me for 30 hours. Don’t know how right that was. But regardless I healed. I think sometimes we have to do this. My body does it naturally. Right now, I am sitting here wondering what to cook for dinner. Can I eat that? Will it cause problems? I’ve come to realize regardless of what’s right or wrong. A lot is wrong. So I cut down on finishing that dinner tonight. Maybe for physical and psychological reasons. But I will say some of the posts on here help me realize I am not alone. A lot of you sound like you are suffering more than me. I can’t imagine that. I have for the most part eaten what I want. Don’t over do fast food. Treat yourself once in a while..Most of our lives though should be spent taking in the regular daily food groups and get our fiber. Really have to be smart at the grocery store. Have a plan and always have little things you can eat that you feel good about. At one time Nilla wafers did that for me. Try it might work for you. I am more on the starving kick these days. I want to eat small portions and go to bed hungry. Not the best but it does rest the colon. I do sleep well too. Good Luck to all of you I hope we can help each other out. Derek

by Derek on 7/14/10

I’m very happy to have found this site. I was recently diagnosised with diverticulitis and while I feel pretty good, I am still experiencing some gas and pain. I’m always fearful that I will have another fullblown attack which we all know is most painful. I too have experienced the confusion of low versus high fiber, but totally agree with one the comments above…when you have a flare up, liquid diet for a day or two to let your colon rest, then very low fiber for a couple of weeks. We must gradually add the fiber. I can surmmize also that different things work for different folks and it makes sense, while our bodies have the same make up, we each respond differently. I’ve found there is no one diet that makes the most sense. My husband made a great recommendation for me and that was to write down what I eat, so I’m not guessing what has made me hurt again. It’s a pain writing it all down, but it’s better than pain from a flare up. The thing I’ve come to realize is that I might have to live with this the rest of my life….Good Luck to you all.

by Ann on 7/15/10

I was diagnosed with this disease 2 days ago stayed in hospital one day..would like for anyone to give me info on how to eat and what exactly to eat..In a lot of pain and this is very new to me..so any suggestions would help.

by chreyse on 4/1/10
What started me off with diverticulitis was my life style. See, I was in a hurry to get my chores done at home before starting off with my 25 mile drive to work for the evening shift … I missed my regular lunches two days in a row and stopped off both days at the same small store and bought a Pop and some Cracker-Jacks (peanuts crumbs and popcorn).
At the end of the second evening shift of this routine I was doubled-up at home in pain and drove myself to the hospitol. I was in so much pain I could have operated on myself while seating in the waiting room if I had a knife (HA! kidding!). “That damn popcorn!”, i kept saying afterwards. Yeah, it had a surprise in it for me (HA!HA!HA!HA!) But, you’d think I had learned something about ME. A couple months later after feeling well again it was some type of Hors D’ourves I was asked to try (only two I ate) … it was a cracker with a piece of cheese and meat AND A BIT OF SHRMP COCKTAIL SAUCE. That night I doubled-up with pain again (WOW!). I called the doctor, and I told her I told some medication I had left over from the last event and was headed out to the hospotal. She said “NO” to take another pill in 10 hours and come to her office in the morning. I sat in her office feeling pretty good, some pain on the left side, but good. So now, I have medicine ON HAND for an emergency, you know, in case I screw up again for a quick recovery. Now, I flag stuff to never-ever expose myself to ever-ever again in my entire life. And hey, my arthritis medicine was another cause of having an affect on my digestive track. My wonderful lady doctor has me on different medication for that now too. You should look into how your other medications afect you.
This evening I ate some smoked sausage, turkey sausage, and a hot dog straight off the grill dipped ever so slightly in Ketshup, and a small side dish of Ritz WHEAT crackers and provalone cheese … and hey I’m that diabetic who lost 46 pounds in five months (my diet is real critical). I still question my wife, “Can I eat that, are you sure, … Is there any seeds in that sausage???” You think the Airports screening was bad, come to my house (No don’t, I’m kidding).
So, get a notebook and write the do’s and don’t about yourself … everyone’s system is different, learn about you! Well, it’s tea time, good luck to us all.

by Bill on 4/1/10
Hey, I got the good word two days in a row; Friday I hit the daily lottery number, I played it to help buy new tires for my daughter’s car, and Saturday my Doctor got the word to me that my AIC range has dropped significantly and with my weight loss – I can get off my my Diabetes Medicine. Her office asked about my diverticulitis, I replied over the phone, “I’m good!”
I managed to turn my health around with “Gained knowledge” and the support of others like my wife, and my Doctor … and a little plus from the PA. Lottery doesn’t hurt now and then (HA!). I think I’ll move my exercise bike up in the bedroom.
Tea time, good luck!

by Bill on 4/3/10
I suffer from Diverticulotis for 10 years, immediately after a double by-pass cardiac surgery during which Diabetes was detected.

The diets which helps a great deal is largely Indian/Chinese vegetable rich curries, rice, noodles etc. A banana in the morning and cereals with yoghurt starts the day.

Two tablets of BrioPharm Phyto-Zyme Organic Dietary Supplement of Veggie capsules in the morning has stabilized my bowel movements and general comfort.

by StephenL on 4/4/10
This isn’t a Diverticulitis diet, it is a Diverticulosis diet! The difference is that Diverticulitis is when you are having an infectious flair-up and you want a LOW RES/LOW FIBER diet! This is a HIGH FIBER diet for someone to prevent getting this disease or mainenance after the fact (Diverticulosis)! I would suggest a different website, this one didn’t do complete research!

by Tim on 4/5/10
i was diagnose with this disease 3 months ago. i have had two attacks.. i was in a lot of pain havin chills nausea and no appetite.. i want to learn how to eat right and stay pain free

by monique wilson on 4/9/10
ate popcorn two days in a row, what do I do, pain when going to the bathroom, fine, when not doing that, minor pain only….help

by scialina on 4/18/10
This is incredibly inaccurate. If you are having a diverticulitis flare up- and follow this diet (above)- you will probably die- either from the diverticulitis- or the pain involved.
During a flare- you should follow a “low residue diet” (which is low to NO fiber)until symptoms subside.
Whoever posted this diet without complete knowledge of the disease was unbelievably irresponsible.

by Coby on 4/27/10
I agree with Cody. The whole lots of whole grains and fiber is just going to make this worse. And if the one with diverticulosis is gluten sensitive (most people) it’s a double whammy. Fiber irritates the lining of the colon, which makes it produce mucus to protect and heal itself. Is that what we want, to irritate the colon? I don’t think so. Just stop eating junk (processed foods) and start a paleo diet. That’s what I do. The whole “gotta have 1-3 bowel movements a day” thing is , excuse the pun, crap.

by Dave b on 5/3/10
If you are having a flare up first follow a liquid diet to allow healing then bland/low residue LOW FIBER diet. Once healed then follow the diet above to avoid future flare ups.

by Elzabeth on 5/4/10
I was diagnosed 5 years ago and 3 months later had to have surgery to remove 8 inches of my intestines. I was a 34 year old male. My situation went out side of the norm. I tried IV antibiotics but that did not work. As far as the diet low fiber during flare ups and high when not??? This I’m not sure as a low fiber diet in the US and other regions I hear causes this. If you elect for the surgery be prepared for atleast 4-14 days living on an IV. Make sure you get up and walk around that will help open up your intstines from the surgery. No flare ups since and I’m hoping to never go through that again…….

by RV on 5/16/10
Hi my name is kenney,and i came with in 2 hours of dieing because i to had Diverticulitis, my colon blow up inside my body cavity and that is what all most killed me,so after not one but to major operations , and no guarantee from my doctors,infect they said i that the probability of me coming back to have the rest of my colon removed was 85%, To myself i said i don’t think so,that was 17 years ago and i have not had one problem with my colon,and here is why,i have taken complete control of my life now, i listen to no one but mother nature, because i never,never,never, want to experience the pain that i deed when i was suffering from Diverticulitis, i found the cure for me and it was so simple but it deed involve a life style change, and it is the best change a person could ask for, it has given back all of my health, helped me completely rebuild my body I’m 63 years young and can do the things that i was doing when i was 30, no more aches or pains. how did i do it, i stopped feeding my stomach and started feeding the 10 trillion cell that make my body, God tells us we are a live body so feed it live food and miracles well happen,and for me they have, you never need to suffer again know Mather what illness you are living with, you can cure it, that’s what the body does if you just give it a change,it is like when you cut your finger who heals that, You Do,your cells come to the rescue,the more nourishment in your cells the faster you heal, and goes for internally, it works the same way, now go learn to feed your cells and heal before you end up were i deed. God Bless

by kenneth on 5/20/10
I am 63. After suffering regular attacks every three months for many years and finally a hospital admission, my consultant told me attacks are caused by build-up of bacteria such as salmonella and shigella. I decided to cut out food likely to contain such bacteria i.e. dairy, cheese, yoghurt, eggs, chicken. That was four years ago. No attacks since. I am now a red-meat-and-fish-eating vegan.

by jane monahan on 5/24/10
i was diagnosed with this disease this past week i stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks the doctors had to be putting Morphin on me every 2 hours because the pain was so so so ssttrroonngg !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by billi romero on 6/1/10
I was diagnosed in March 2010 and was in the hospital for 4 days. Then I had my first flare up this weekend. My pain is in the lower right side of my pelvic area and I got really bloated. I went to urgent care and I was put on the antibiotics. Is this what they usually do for a flare up. I am so afraid to be put in the hospital again.

by cindy on 6/1/10
THIS COMMENT IS FOR CINDY, AM A HOMEOPATHIC DOCTOR AND I HAVE CURED A CASE OF DIVERTICULAR DISEASE SO YOU CAN TRY HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES IF YOU WANT I CAN SUGGEST SOME MEDICINES, for further contact mail to zearsait@yahoo.com

by DR ZEAR on 6/6/10
I had diverticulitis for the first time on 3/1/10, It was an acute attack in the left colon, my doctor of course put me on Flagyl and Cipro to heal the infection,but the cure was worse than the problem. I was so sick on the meds, they are nasty. I have been trying ever since to get to another doctor who specializes in the colon, but they wont let me get a referral until I get a cat scan, now cat scans put alot of radiation in your body so I want to get an MRI which does not do this. But at this point I have not been able to get in and have this done. This past weekend I suffered another flare-up but did not want to go to the doctor and go through the same old thing, so I took about a third cup of psyllium fiber in a large glass of water swettened with honey and some sour cherry concentrate, later in the day I ate two blueberry yogurts with ground flax seed mixed in (delicious), and for dinner I ate homemade guacamole with lots of fresh finely chopped garlic, delicious.
Before I went to bed I hade a large formed BM and today I feel 90% better, so I think the comments of a low fiber diet are not right at least for me, I wanted to get the whatever that was in there, out of my body pronto. I do admit that lately I have been eating alot of wrong foods, not rich in fiber, and the last flare-up I really tried to double up on fiber. I was eating alot of celery which has alot of strings which is fibrous and vegetables and lots of apples, also try eating only organic apples and please eat the seeds also, just chew them up really well, seeds are recommended by the Lord in Genesis.

by Gyda on 6/7/10
Can anyone put me onto a good healthy diet to help with DVT. My father has it and his Doctors diet seems ridiculous to me. please help

by Brendan on 6/14/10
In 1994, at the age of 26, I was diagnosed with this. I have been dealing with it since. It does not go away. Diet is the best control but it seems I have a severe case as with my current flare up, Flagyl and Cipro are not helping and yes, they are nasty but taken with food are tolerable. I am going in for a colonoscopy next week and am hoping to avoid surgery. Anyone have any recommendations? I’ve already tried, and am currently on, liquid diet, laxatives, etc.
Regards, CL

by CindyL on 6/14/10
I was diagnosed a year in a half ago with diverticulitis and have had multiple flare ups. I stay away from red meat, greasy food, spicy stuff, or any thing you would think to be irritating. I had a flare up four days ago and the antibiotics Flagyl and Cipro don’t really seem to be helping. I was given ten mg. of percocet to take for three days straight every six hours and I am getting very little relief. I am wondering if I should go back to dr and how helpful is it to get a colonoscopy? I constantly have diarrhea even when I am not having a flare up. Does any one have any idea what this could mean? It has me very worried.

by Rachael on 6/24/10
@Rachael- It sounds like all the antibiotics have destroyed the healthy flora in your intestines which is essential for proper bowel function. Have you tried taking probiotics and eating prebiotic foods?

by ted on 6/24/10
@-TED, My friend told me yesterday that she thought the same thing about my good bacteria getting destroyed. I have started a probiotic today and that Activia yogurt. What else is there for food to eat that would help?? Believe it or not today I have only had the softies a few times today, (surprise surprise) and I think it’s from eating rice and chicken plain basically. I feel I should go back to the dr though for the pain. My left side is killing me and I have ran out of pain meds. I don’t understand me taking low fiber right now instead of high fiber but I blew one hundred bucks at the store to get some better food. I would really like to know what will help my system though, thanks. How long does it take for probiotics to work?

by Rachael on 6/24/10
Go on line and bring up Sherry Brascea site – “Great Taste No Pain”. It may help you.

by Faye on 6/24/10
Hey Rachael, well good seems like it working some. a few weeks should have your good flora built back up. Here’s a prebiotic foods list that help feed the good bacteria, just be careful that some of these foods could aggravate the Diverticulitis. http://www.candidafood.com/2009/11/candida-and-prebiotic-foods-list/

by ted on 6/27/10
Thanks guys, I seem to be doing better everyday I have looked at both sites. I am so scared to have another flare up I feel like I am dying when it happens. But, not today, yay.

by Rachael on 6/29/10
I dont know how to help anyone on here but i do know that i cant really tell the difference between my low residue diet and high fiber one i still get pain and and severe bloating. I had my first flair up and acctually had a penetration of the colon wall and was hospitalize for 23 day so everyone on here that is worried i know the feelng. I do know that everyone here has the pain and issues that i do and one thing that truly worked for me was weight loss after the flair up and lots of excercise. It must be a mental thing cause when i started working out and walking it puts a healthy eating on the mind. Im only 28 and am trying everything cause i have a long life ahead of me and dont want to deal with the pain for the rest of it. If any one has any other suggestions please let me know Thank You

by Chris on 7/2/10
Ok so my dad had surgery for diverticulitis about 3years ago, he had 11 inches of his colon removed and had the colostomy bag for about 5months, hes had 2surgerys for hernias after surgery, and now 2years later he still has pain. why could this be? the pain is not by the scars from the surgery and he stays away from nuts, popcorn, seeds, everything hes suppose to. he refuses to go to the doctor because he does not want to have surgery again, can anyone help me understand why he is still having pain?

by LOrNRiN on 7/8/10
I have diverticular disease and also GERD..So what is good for one thing is bad for the other…So far after months of dieting I still have pain in my lower stomach…I know I need the high fiber but then I have to watch out for all the spicy foods and keep list of things I think that give me really bad flare-ups..anyone have both of these problems???

by Mary on 7/11/10
Tortilla chips are a big culprit for me. Avoid these. You can eat a couple, but who eats just a couple tortilla chips? Every time I’ve gone overboard on chips and salsa I get a flare up. Flare ups for me last weeks. I don’t feel I can really eat anything. Chicken is good, eggs are good, Bread esp whole grains, cherrios are great. Banana is good. But I really feel you have starve to a certain extent to heal right. I could be completely wrong. But you make dinner and you nibble at it and really don’t feel right about eating it if you are not going to process it properly. When I was in the hospital (only once so far) they starved me for 30 hours. Don’t know how right that was. But regardless I healed. I think sometimes we have to do this. My body does it naturally. Right now, I am sitting here wondering what to cook for dinner. Can I eat that? Will it cause problems? I’ve come to realize regardless of what’s right or wrong. A lot is wrong. So I cut down on finishing that dinner tonight. Maybe for physical and psychological reasons. But I will say some of the posts on here help me realize I am not alone. A lot of you sound like you are suffering more than me. I can’t imagine that. I have for the most part eaten what I want. Don’t over do fast food. Treat yourself once in a while..Most of our lives though should be spent taking in the regular daily food groups and get our fiber. Really have to be smart at the grocery store. Have a plan and always have little things you can eat that you feel good about. At one time Nilla wafers did that for me. Try it might work for you. I am more on the starving kick these days. I want to eat small portions and go to bed hungry. Not the best but it does rest the colon. I do sleep well too. Good Luck to all of you I hope we can help each other out. Derek

by Derek on 7/14/10
I’m very happy to have found this site. I was recently diagnosised with diverticulitis and while I feel pretty good, I am still experiencing some gas and pain. I’m always fearful that I will have another fullblown attack which we all know is most painful. I too have experienced the confusion of low versus high fiber, but totally agree with one the comments above…when you have a flare up, liquid diet for a day or two to let your colon rest, then very low fiber for a couple of weeks. We must gradually add the fiber. I can surmmize also that different things work for different folks and it makes sense, while our bodies have the same make up, we each respond differently. I’ve found there is no one diet that makes the most sense. My husband made a great recommendation for me and that was to write down what I eat, so I’m not guessing what has made me hurt again. It’s a pain writing it all down, but it’s better than pain from a flare up. The thing I’ve come to realize is that I might have to live with this the rest of my life….Good Luck to you all.

by Ann on 7/15/10

Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis Symptoms, Causes and Management

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Diverticulitis Symptoms, Causes and Management

Treatment

High Fiber Diet Recommendations

High Fiber Diet for Diverticular Disease

Increase Fluid and Fiber

Should Seeds Be Eaten?

Diverticulitis Diet Guidelines

Foods to Eat

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Diverticulitis Symptoms, Causes and Management

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Should Seeds Be Eaten?

Diverticulitis Diet Guidelines

Foods to Eat

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