Diverticulitis is a condition characterized by small inflamed pouches in the walls of the intestine. These pouches, known as diverticula, form by an abnormally high amount of pressure in the colon from chronic constipation. When small particles of food become lodged in the diverticula, inflammation and subsequent infection cause lower left-sided abdominal pain and fever. When you have a flare-up high fiber foods can worsen your symptoms. Speak with your doctor before making significant changes to your diet.
Step 1
Don't consume whole grains, fruits (raw and dehydrated), berries, cruciferous vegetables (vegetables in the cabbage family), beans, legumes, nuts and seeds. Ask your physician if you should consume dairy foods, because they can cause problems for some people in the midst of a diverticulitis flare-up.
Step 2
Avoid solid foods and consume clear liquids, gelatin, strained fruit juice and ice pops made from juice for two to three days. This diet allows your system to recover, inflammation to subside and pain to dissipate.
Step 3
Maintain a fiber intake of 10 g or less a day until symptoms subside. According to HealthCastle, the main goal when symptomatic is to reduce the volume of solid wastes, allowing inflammation and infection to subside. Emphasize foods that contain little or no fiber, including white flour products, plain cereals, white rice, cookies and crackers. Be sure to check nutrition labels to identify sources of fiber that may cause more discomfort.
Step 4
Eat high-fiber foods once the diverticulitis flare-up has passed to prevent constipation. Add high-fiber foods gradually to prevent digestive upset. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, a diet of processed, low-fiber foods is generally the cause of diverticulosis -- the chronic condition that can lead to acute attacks of diverticulitis. Most physicians will prescribe a high fiber diet along with medications to manage symptoms of diverticulosis, and help prevent painful episodes.
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