Best Foods to Eat for Diverticulitis Flare-Up Prevention

Understanding the Best Foods to Eat for Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a digestive condition characterized by inflamed pouches in the colon. Attacks can cause painful abdominal cramping, fever, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms. While many treatment options are available, adjusting your diet is one of the most effective ways to manage diverticulitis flare-ups. Learning the best foods to eat can help promote healing and prevent recurrent episodes.

What Foods Should You Avoid with Diverticulitis?

During symptomatic periods, the primary dietary goal is to give your digestive tract a rest. This allows inflamed pouches to heal. It’s best to avoid:

Nuts, seeds, corn, popcorn, chips - small particulates can lodge in pouches
Refined grains like white bread, pasta, rice
Red meat
Processed meats like sausage, bacon, ham
Greasy, fatty, or heavily seasoned dishes
Most raw fruits and vegetables, which are higher in insoluble fiber
Alcohol and caffeine

The Best Foods to Eat During an Active Flare-Up

When you’re experiencing an episode of diverticulitis, stick to a clear liquid diet to give your colon a break. As symptoms start to subside, you can gradually add in soft, low-fiber foods that are easy to digest. Good choices include:

Bland Soups and Broths

Warm vegetable, chicken, and bone broth soups provide essential fluids and nutrients without taxing your digestive system.

Cooked Fruits and Non-Leafy Vegetables

Fruits like applesauce, bananas, melons, and canned peaches are great options. Cooked carrots, squash, and green beans make healthy veggie picks.

Eggs

Scrambled or hard boiled eggs supply protein while being gentle on irritated bowels.

Milk and Yogurt

Low fat dairy products provide protein, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics to support your recovery.

White Rice and Pasta

Refined grains digest more easily than products made with whole grains during symptom flare-ups.

Lean Meats

Skinless poultry, fish, tofu, and tempeh can help replenish nutrients without aggravating conditions.

Best Foods for Preventing Diverticulitis Recurrence

After you get over an episode of diverticulitis, it’s important to follow a high fiber diet to keep pouches clean and healthy. Top foods for prevention include:

Whole Grains

Breads, cereals, rice, pasta, and crackers made with whole grains provide insoluble and soluble fiber to support colon health.

Beans and Lentils

These versatile legumes pack protein, key amino acids, and gut-healthy insoluble fiber.

Nuts and Seeds

While strict avoidance during flare-ups is necessary, adding nuts and seeds back into your diet afterwards may prevent recurrence. Their fiber, vitamins, minerals bolster digestive health.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Aim for 8-10 servings of fiber-rich produce like berries, citrus fruits, broccoli, sweet potatoes, artichokes, and squash daily.

Fermented Foods

Kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut, and other items made via fermentation contain probiotics to optimize digestion and immunity.

Lifestyle Changes to Complement Your Diet

Adjusting when and how you eat can also minimize diverticulitis attacks. Be sure to:

Eat smaller, more frequent meals
Chew your food thoroughly before swallowing
Stay well hydrated with water and clear fluids
Avoid vigorous exercise during symptomatic periods
Manage stress levels with relaxation techniques

Your risk of recurrent diverticulitis drops significantly if you can maintain remission for the first year after an attack. Sticking to dietary prevention strategies helps achieve this crucial milestone.

Supplements That May Help

Research shows certain natural supplements may also keep diverticulitis at bay when taken routinely. Common options include:

Probiotics

These healthy bacteria support immune function and keep your gut microbiome balanced. Top probiotic strains like Bifidobacterium infantis help control intestinal inflammation.

Psyllium Husks

Derived from the Plantago ovata shrub, psyllium provides soluble fiber that absorbs water to keep waste moving smoothly through your colon.

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help calm irritation in the intestinal lining and promote healing of irritated pouches.

Boswellia

Also known as Indian frankincense, boswellia seems to prevent leukotrienes that drive diverticulitis inflammation and related diarrhea or cramping.

Always check with your physician before beginning supplements to ensure safety and suitability given individual health factors.

When to Seek Medical Care

Mild to moderate diverticulitis often responds well to at-home rest and dietary modifications. However, immediate medical care is crucial if you experience:

Severe or persistent pain, cramping, nausea/vomiting
Bleeding from the rectum
Difficulty passing stool or gas
Fever over 101 F lasting more than 1-2 days

These can indicate a complicated case of diverticulitis or additional issues requiring urgent evaluation and hospitalization. IV antibiotics or possibly surgery are generally necessary with severe, recurrent, or complicated diverticulitis infections.

Outlook for Preventing Diverticulitis with Diet

Research clearly shows those who eat a high fiber diet have significantly lower risk of developing diverticulitis. Filling your plate with fiber-rich whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and beans can pay off big.

Target 25-40 grams of total fiber intake daily. Ramp up gradually if increasing from a low fiber diet to allow your body to adjust. Be sure to drink ample fluids as well since fiber works best when hydrated.

Pay close attention to individual food intolerances too. For example, while popcorn and nuts have protective fiber, they also frequently get stuck in pouches. Avoid any specific foods that seem to trigger your flare-ups.

No one enjoys the painful cramps and digestive distress of diverticulitis. Fortunately, modifying your diet can help prevent attacks and minimize complications from this common condition.

When Should I Seek Medical Care?

It's important to monitor diverticulitis flare-ups closely to catch any complications early. Contact your doctor right away if you experience:

Severe pain or intense, persistent discomfort
Nausea/vomiting that prevents fluid intake
Fever over 101° F lasting more than 1-2 days
Signs of internal bleeding like bloody stool
Inability to pass stool or gas

These symptoms could signal complications from diverticulitis that require prompt medical treatment. IV antibiotics or possible surgery may be necessary with severe recurrent cases.

Takeaways on Diverticulitis Diet

Controlling diverticulitis flare-ups starts with identifying and avoiding trigger foods while getting plenty of gut-friendly fiber from wholesome sources. Work closely with your healthcare providers to fine tune an eating plan that

FAQs

Can I still eat salads and raw vegetables with diverticulitis?

It's best to avoid most raw fruits and vegetables during active flare-ups as they can be hard to digest. Cooked vegetables are a better choice. Once symptoms resolve, adding some raw produce back is recommended for fiber's prevention benefits.

Are dairy foods allowed on a diverticulitis diet?

Low fat versions like yogurt, milk, cheese and kefir are usually well tolerated. But some find even low fat dairy exacerbates diverticulitis attacks. Monitor your individual response. Alternatives like lactose-free milk, nut milks or coconut yogurt can help if dairy bothers you.

Can I drink coffee if I have diverticulitis?

Drinking coffee tends to stimulate bowel movements, which you want to avoid during symptom flare-ups. Once solidly in remission, coffee seems fine for most people in moderation. Listen to your body and limit intake if it triggers attacks.

How long should I stick to the diverticulitis prevention diet?

Research shows following a high fiber diet for at least a full year after your last flare significantly cuts future recurrence risk. But lifelong attention to trigger foods, fiber and hydration intake is ideal for keeping diverticulitis at bay.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.