Diverticulitis is a type of intestinal inflammation connected with an underlying disorder. Although no diet can treat diverticulitis, you may feel better consuming a diverticulitis diet while you use medication to heal the inflammation and any related infection, according to MayoClinic.com. Limiting your diet to clear liquids for a few days and then gradually adding soft foods can help.
The Problem
Diverticulitis is a complication of the condition diverticulosis, in which the inner lining of the large intestine, also called the colon, bulges out in small weakened places through the outer muscular layer, explains the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The bulges are called diverticula, and they can become inflamed and infected when waste and bacteria become trapped in any of these pouches. Diverticulitis can cause fever, along with pain and tenderness at the left side of the lower abdomen.
Treatment
Diverticulitis treatment usually involves antibiotics, according to MayoClinic.com. A diet with clear liquids and low-fiber, low-residue foods allows your digestive system a chance to rest while you recover. Patients usually can recover at home, unless the case is severe. Your doctor or a licensed dietitian can guide you through the dietary process.
Specifics
A clear liquid diet includes broth, clear soda, clear tea and fruit juices you can see through. You also may have clear foods that liquefy at room temperature, such as ice pops and plain gelatin that do not have any added fruit or other solid food. When you start feeling better, you may gradually begin eating low-fiber foods, explains MayoClinic.com. These could include canned fruit, fruit juice without pulp, low-fiber cereal, eggs, tender meat, smooth peanut butter, rice, pasta, pudding, milk, and ice cream and yogurt with no fruit, nuts or other solid ingredients.
Post-Recovery
After you fully recover, your doctor may recommend a high-fiber diet, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. This could prevent further instances of diverticulitis and decrease diverticulosis symptoms, such as abdominal bloating, discomfort or pain. High-fiber foods include whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruit. Your doctor may also recommend taking a fiber supplement such as methylcellulose or psyllium.
Considerations
Historically, doctors typically advised diverticulosis patients to avoid eating any seeds or nuts, including seeds in berries and vegetables, because it was theorized these seeds could become stuck in the diverticula and cause diverticulitis. No evidence indicates this is the case, however, so MayoClinic.com says you can eat these foods unless nuts or seeds seem to cause you problems.
