Diverticular disease is a serious digestive disorder that has two phases. Diverticulosis, the chronic phase of the disorder, creates small pouches, called diverticula, along the inner walls of the colon, or large intestine. If the diverticula become inflamed, this more acute phase is known as diverticulitis. Your health care provider will identify specific foods to eat or avoid for each phase of the disorder.
Symptoms
Many people with diverticulosis stay symptom-free, but others experience periodic abdominal cramping, bloating and constipation. Diverticulitis usually begins with sudden severe pain pain in the lower left portion of the abdomen. You may also notice a change in your bowel habits, cramps, vomiting, nausea, fever or chills. Pay attention to your body's cues so you can make appropriate modifications to your daily diet.
Guidelines
Diets for diverticular disease focus on fiber, or the portions of grains, vegetables and fruits that your body isn't able to digest. Most medical experts believe that a low-fiber diet causes diverticulosis, says the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. A high-fiber diet helps your body produce soft stools that pass easily through your intestinal tract, reducing irritation to the diverticula. Once you develop diverticulitis, however, you should limit your diet to clear liquids. After two or three days, you can start adding low-fiber foods to your meals, as long as they don't make your symptoms worse.
Recommended Foods and Drinks
When you're on a clear liquid diet, you can drink most fluids that you can see through and eat foods that melt to produce clear liquids at room temperature. A low-fiber diet consists of foods that leave low amounts of residue for your colon to digest. Eggs, white bread or pasta, canned fruits, milk, yogurt, cheese and well-cooked vegetables without seeds or skins are low-fiber foods.
Forbidden Foods
During the days you're on a clear liquid diet, avoid milk, milk-based chowders and creamy soups that leave reside for your colon to manage. Stay away from alcohol, which can further irritate your bowels. As you add low-fiber foods, avoid whole-grain bread, pasta, crackers and cereals, as well as fruits and vegetables that have seeds or skins. Don't eat beans, lentils, nuts, dried fruit, greens or coconut. Brussels sprouts, broccoli and other gas-producing vegetables are especially high in fiber and irritating to your colon, so stay away from them.
Warnings
Most of the time, your diverticulitis symptoms will go away after a few days of bed rest, clear liquids and antibiotics at home. If your symptoms worsen, you develop a fever or you can't drink enough fluids to stay well-hydrated, contact your doctor. She may admit you to the hospital for intravenous antibiotics or other medical treatment.
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