Correct Diet for Diverticulitis

Diverticula are small, bulging sacs that can form in the stomach, esophagus or intestines, causing a condition known as diverticulitis. The diverticula can be affected by certain foods, so following a diet free from foods that can cause aggravation can help control symptoms such as pain, fever, nausea and changes in bowel habits.

Immediately After Diagnosis

Diverticulitis typically is first diagnosed when the patient experiences symptoms associated with diverticulitis. The symptoms occur usually mean the diverticula have become infected, and a physician will prescribe antibiotics, as well as recommend a special diet to reduce inflammation and allow the diverticula to heal.
This diet will initially include clear liquids such as chicken, beef or vegetable broths, clear soda and fruit juices (no pulp), plain gelatin, tea, coffee,water and popsicles. If you have trouble consuming these or keeping them down, contact your physician.

Symptom Improvement

When symptoms such as nausea and abdominal pain improve, you may begin to eat low-fiber foods. Digestive fiber creates bulk in the abdominal tract and can irritate the diverticula, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Slowly incorporate these low-fiber foods into your diet in order to gauge if your digestive tract has healed enough to support consumption: eggs, enriched white bread, low-fiber cereals, yogurt or cheese, smooth peanut butter, white rice or plain pasta, cooked vegetables (no seeds or skin) and canned fruits.

Post-Attack

Once you have completed medical treatment and your symptoms have subsided, you may wish to incorporate further high-fiber foods. This should slowly be incorporated into the diet at a rate of 25 grams of fiber for women and 38 grams of fiber for men, according to the Mayo Clinic. The best ways to measure fiber content include reading nutritional labels or using the Internet to search for fiber counts of common foods and serving sizes. Some of the best foods to consume include brown rice, fruits, dried beans, whole-grain breads, whole-grain cereals, wild rice and vegetables.
While fiber can cause difficulties for diverticulitis sufferers after they have experienced an attack, high-fiber foods can allow stools to pass more quickly and easily. In addition to eating the above-mentioned foods, it is important to drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water, which aids in digestion, according to the University of California, San Francisco.