Diverticulosis is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that creates small pouches, or diverticula, at weak spots along the wall of your large intestine, or colon. When those pouches become inflamed, you develop an acute disorder called diverticulitis. Your physician will recommend specific diets for various phases of your diverticular disease.
Cause
Bowel movements, or stools, are formed when dietary fiber combines with fluid in your intestines and grows into gel beads that give your stools shape and moisture. If you have enough fiber and fluid in your diet, you should have one or two soft formed stools a day that pass easily through your intestines. Most people who develop diverticulosis or diverticulitis have a long history of chronic constipation. The most common cause of chronic constipation is a lack of dietary fiber.
Symptoms
Most people with diverticulosis have no symptoms, but some experience intermittent abdominal cramping, constipation, gas or bloating. If you develop diverticulitis, however, you might have severe tenderness or pain in your lower left abdomen, nausea, vomiting, a change in your bowel habits, fever and chills.
Prevention
You can lower your risk of diverticulosis by eating a high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of fluids. If you've already developed diverticulosis, a diet high in fiber might prevent further damage to your colon. When you notice symptoms of diverticulitis, however, you should change from a high-fiber diet to a clear liquid menu for two to three days to give your large intestine a rest.
Features
A clear liquid diet includes most fluids you can see through, as well as foods that melt to form clear liquids at room temperature. You can drink plain, carbonated or mineral water, as well as pulp-free juices such as apple, grape and cranberry. Bouillon, consomme and broth are considered clear liquids. You can safely enjoy clear sports drink and soft drinks such as club or lemon-lime soda. Other good options for a clear liquid diet include ice pops without any solid chunks of foods, hard candy and flavored gelatin.
Considerations
Clear liquids pass easily through your gastrointestinal tract and leave no residue in your colon. Full liquids such as milk, however, leave a residue that can irritate your colon and cause diarrhea and cramping. When you're on a clear liquid diet, stay away from all forms of milk, as well as cream-based soups and chowders, to give your intestines a rest.
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