Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis Diet

When it comes to diet, it is important to understand the difference between diverticulosis and diverticulitis. The conditions differ, and different diet therapies are recommended for each. 

Diverticulosis is a condition in which small segments of the colon push out forming pouches called diverticula. This condition is common and typically there are no symptoms. You may be told you have diverticulosis after it is seen on a colonoscopy. 

Diverticulitis is when these pouches (diverticula) become inflamed and/or infected. Symptoms of diverticulitis include tenderness in the abdomen (usually the lower left), bloating, abdominal pain and/or cramping, nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, fever, and chills. 

DIET THERAPY FOR DIVERTICULOSIS 

Include more fiber. Consuming a high fiber diet with diverticulosis may help to prevent diverticulitis from occurring. It is recommended to gradually increase fiber intake to around 35 grams per day. Gradually increasing intake can help to reduce symptoms of gas or bloating. Note: there is no evidence to support restriction of nuts, seeds, or popcorn with diverticulosis, though it is okay to avoid these foods if they bother you. 

Stay active. Include forms of exercise that you enjoy. If time is limited, include shorter chunks of movement throughout the day. 

Hydrate. Include fluid mostly from unsweetened beverages. Everyone has different fluid needs; a good starting point is around 64 fluid ounces per day. Drink additional fluids with increased exercise, hot weather, or illness. 

Below are some fiber foods to include more of: 

• Whole grains – Oats, brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, and products made from whole grains such as bran flakes, oat-based cereals, whole wheat bread, whole wheat crackers, and whole wheat pasta. 

• Legumes – Lentils, chickpeas, black beans, split peas, pinto beans, navy beans, cannellini beans, and kidney beans. 

• Nuts and seeds – Almonds, cashews, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, chia seeds, ground flax seed, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. 

• Fruits and vegetables – All types. 

1-Day Sample High Fiber Meal Plan
Breakfast	Oatmeal prepared with ground flax seed, blueberries, and walnuts  Estimated fiber: 9 grams
Morning snack	Apple with peanut butter  Estimated fiber: 5 grams
Lunch	Turkey sandwich on whole grain bread paired with a side salad (dark leafy greens, sliced tomato, shredded carrots, green onion, sunflower seeds) and a handful of strawberries  Estimated fiber: 8 grams
Afternoon snack	Hummus with bell pepper slices  Estimated fiber: 3 grams
Dinner	Grilled salmon with roasted vegetables served over brown rice  Estimated fiber: 7.5 grams
Evening snack	A few pitted dates paired with a small scoop of almond butter  Estimated fiber: 2.5 grams

DIET THERAPY FOR DIVERTICULITIS 

Depending on your condition, your provider may recommend a clear liquid diet temporarily, followed by a transition to a low fiber diet, or they may recommend you start with a low fiber diet. Both help rest your gut and ease your symptoms. 

For a low fiber diet, include low fiber foods (see below). It is also recommended to minimize foods with excess fat as they may exacerbate your symptoms. High fat foods include fried foods, high fat meat, processed meats (bacon, sausage, deli meat), and high fat dairy. 

To help ease digestion, chew foods thoroughly and eat meals slowly. Many people tolerate smaller volumes of food better. This may look like eating 4-6 small meals per day. 

	Recommended Foods	Foods to Limit/Avoid
Protein Foods	Eggs  Dairy (choose lactose-free if needed)  Meat, poultry, or fish that is baked, broiled, or grilled  Lean deli meat (roasted chicken breast, roasted turkey breast)  Tofu  Smooth nut/seed butters  Protein shakes	Fried protein foods  High fiber protein foods such as legumes (beans, peas, lentils) and nuts/seeds
Grains	Any made with refined wheat such as white bread, tortillas, sourdough, white pasta, waffles, pancakes, crackers, pretzels  Peeled, cooked starchy vegetables (all types of potatoes, pumpkin, butternut squash, acorn squash, delicata squash)  Hot cereal (cream of wheat, cream of rice, instant oatmeal)  Cold cereals such as Cheerios, Chex, Rice Krispies  White rice	Any made with whole wheat flour or intact grains (whole wheat and multigrain breads, high fiber cereals, etc.)  Granola  Corn (corn kernels, corn on the cob, popcorn)  Quinoa  Brown rice  Wild rice
Fruits	Applesauce and fruit purees  Banana  Melon (cantaloupe, honeydew, seedless watermelon)  Shelf-stable fruits such as canned peaches or pears  Peeled fruits such as apple, pear, peach, plum	Dried fruits  Any fruits with peel/seeds  Berries
Vegetables	Any peeled, well-cooked vegetables	Raw vegetables  Fried vegetables  To help with abdominal discomfort, it may also help to limit gas-producing vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower

1-Day Sample Low Fiber Meal Plan
Breakfast	Scrambled eggs with white or sourdough toast and ½ cup applesauce
Morning snack	Low fat cottage cheese with a peach cup
Lunch	Tuna sandwich on white or sourdough bread with a small bowl of vegetable soup
Afternoon snack	Smooth peanut butter with crackers
Dinner	Slow-cooked chicken breast with mashed potatoes (prepared with low-fat milk) and ½ cup well-cooked green beans
Evening snack	Vanilla Greek yogurt with ½ cup sliced banana and cubed melon (cantaloupe/honeydew)

Once symptoms are improving and you are given the OK by your care team, you can gradually increase fiber in your diet and increase your activity level. The timing of this will look different for each person. For fiber, gradually increase towards a high fiber pattern. Add in 1-2 fiber foods every few days until you are at your fiber goal. Increasing fiber intake too quickly may trigger bloating, excess gas, or abdominal discomfort. See the high fiber food list above for ideas.