Diverticulosis is a chronic gastrointestinal condition that creates small bulging pockets, or diverticula, at weak spots along the inside lining of your large intestine, or colon. The disorder was first identified in the U.S. in the late 1900s, coinciding with the introduction of processed foods lower in fiber. Although it hasn't been definitely proven, most knowledgeable clinicians believe a low-fiber diet causes diverticulosis, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. If you have diverticular disease, your doctor will recommend a high-fiber diet to prevent acute flare-ups known as diverticulitis.
High-Fiber Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables offer plenty of dietary fiber along with vital minerals and vitamins. The seeds, skins, peels and membranes of these plant foods are particularly high in fiber. Choose an array of fruits such as apples, pears, strawberries, blackberries, oranges, grapefruit, raspberries, melons, blueberries, nectarines, plums and bananas for a vitamin-rich, fiber-filled snack. Legumes, such as lentils and beans, gas-producing vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, sweet corn and carrots are good sources of fiber. You can also eat greens, such as kale, collard greens, spinach and Swiss chard. While some doctors tell patients to avoid seed-containing foods, such as berries and tomatoes, the NIDDK says people with diverticulosis don't need to avoid these foods. Instead, keep a food diary to identify any foods that make your symptoms worse and discuss the results with your physician.
Whole-Grain Pasta and Cereals
When grains are refined, or milled, this process strips away the bran and germ parts of the grain, which contain most of the fiber. One cup of cooked whole-wheat spaghetti provides 6.3g of fiber, for example, but the same amount of cooked spaghetti made with refined flour offers a paltry 2.5g of fiber. While refined grain foods still contain fiber, choose unprocessed whole-grain products that contain at least 51 percent of whole grain by weight to keep your diverticulosis symptoms under control. The American Heart Association provides a voluntary food labeling program that certifies whole-grain cereal, pasta, crackers and other foods that are low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber.
Whole-Grain Breads
If you have diverticulosis, read Nutrition Facts labels to identify whole-grain breads that are high in fiber and nutrients. You can't identify the fiber content of bread by looking at its color. Bread made with refined flour and molasses may be brown in color, for example, while some high-fiber breads are white. The American Heart Association suggests buying breads that say "whole" or "whole-grain" before the name of the grain. Purchase high-fiber breads that list whole-wheat, whole-oats, whole-grain barley, whole-wheat bulgur or whole rye as their first ingredient. You can also look for loaves that carry the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's qualified health claim saying, "Soluble fiber from foods such as [name of soluble fiber source and/or food product] as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease."
Considerations
While a high-fiber diet is the best nutritional guideline for diverticulosis, your doctor may change your diet if you develop diverticulitis. She may advise you to stay with a clear liquid diet for two to three days while your colon rests, and then gradually reintroduce low-fiber foods into your diet. Once the diverticulitis is completely resolved, you can return to your high-fiber diet.
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