Diverticulosis is most common in adults over 40 years of age. This disease involves the formation of small, bulging pouches, or diverticula, most often on the left side of the large intestine. A common complication of diverticulosis is diverticulitis, an inflammation or infection of one or more of these diverticula. Common symptoms of diverticulitis include nausea, vomiting, constipation, fever, abdominal tenderness and severe, localized abdominal pain. The dietary intervention differs depending on whether you have chronic diverticulosis or an acute attack of diverticulitis.
Low-Fiber Diet
If you have an attack of diverticulitis, you might need to follow a special diet until symptoms resolve. Your doctor might limit you to clear liquids such as broth and plain gelatin for two to three days to allow the digestive tract to rest and heal. Once symptoms begin to resolve, you can begin reintroducing low-fiber foods such as eggs, plain yogurt, white rice, smooth peanut butter and milk. Although a low-fiber diet does not treat diverticulitis, it can help manage symptoms in conjunction with medical treatment. After the diverticulitis attack has resolved, continuing to follow a low-fiber diet may lead to constipation or hard stools, potentially increasing pressure on the walls of the large intestine. This increased pressure might promote formation of the intestinal pouches associated with diverticular disease.
High-Fiber Diet
After an attack has resolved, you should gradually reincorporate high-fiber foods into your diet; increasing fiber too quickly can promote gastrointestinal discomfort. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, following a high-fiber diet might alleviate constipation, lower risk for development of diverticulosis and decrease likelihood for complications of diverticular disease. Furthermore, although diverticulosis is incurable, following a high-fiber diet might help prevent the formation of additional diverticula. Men should aim to consume at least 38 grams of fiber daily, and women should strive to get at least 25 grams each day. High-fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, legumes and brown rice. When introducing fiber, always be sure to consume adequate fluids.
Other Dietary Recommendations
Past recommendations included avoiding foods such as nuts, seeds and popcorn, as these foods were thought to be more likely to get stuck in the diverticula, increasing risk for developing diverticulitis. However, recent research has demonstrated no evidence that avoiding these foods will decrease risk for developing diverticulosis or related complications. In fact, nuts and seeds are an important part of a high-fiber diet. However, if you have experienced pain or complications directly related to the consumption of these foods, talk to your doctor about omitting these foods from your diet.
References
- FamilyDoctor: Diverticular Disease
- The Mayo Clinic: Diverticulitis
- The American College of Gastroenterology: Diverticular Disease of the Colon
- The Mayo Clinic: Diverticulitis Diet
- "The Washington Post"; Nuts, Seeds, Popcorn Don't Boost Diverticulosis Risk; Kathleen Doheny; August 26, 2008
- The Mayo Clinic: Should I Avoid Nuts and Seeds?
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