Diverticular disease is a gastrointestinal disorder that has two phases. The chronic phase known as diverticulosis causes small pockets to bulge outward at weak spots along the inner lining of your large intestine, or colon. If these pockets become inflamed, this more acute illness is called diverticulitis. Although a high-fiber diet helps you manage diverticulosis over the long term, your doctor will prescribe different diets during diverticulitis attacks.
Clear Liquids
When you first notice the abdominal pain and other symptoms of a diverticulitis attack, your physician will recommend two to three days of clear liquids. This diet includes most liquids you can see through, as well as foods that melt to form clear liquids at room temperature. You can drink plain or carbonated water; clear fruits juices such as apple, grape or cranberry, and clear soft drinks such as lemon-lime or club soda. Broth, consommé and bouillon that contain no solid bits of food are fine on a clear liquid diet, as are pulp-free fruit ices and flavored gelatin.
Processed Grains
After a few days on clear liquids, you can slowly add processed grains back into your diet. You can eat small amounts of cooked white rice or pasta, white bread, saltine crackers and cooked or flake cereals that contain less than 1 g of fiber in a serving. Pancakes and waffles are acceptable as long as they don't contain whole-wheat flour or bran, and mashed potatoes without the peels are also low in fiber.
Fruits and Vegetables
A low-fiber diet incorporates most well-cooked or canned fruits and vegetables, as long as they don't contain skins, membranes or seeds. Applesauce, fruit cocktail and bananas are good choices. You can sip on tomato juice, fruit juices or vegetable juices that have little or no pulp, but stay away from raw vegetables and fruits.
Protein Sources
When you're ready to add protein to your diverticulitis diet, stick with tender, well-cooked meat, fish or poultry and avoid breaded or fried products. Try tofu, smooth peanut butter or eggs to boost your protein intake. You can drink milk and incorporate ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, low-fat cheese or yogurt into your meals or snacks. Since dairy products leave a significant amount of residue in your colon, limit yourself to small servings and stop dairy intake if your symptoms get worse, advises Drugs.com.
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