After you reach the age of 40, you have a 1 in 10 chance of developing diverticulosis, a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that creates small bulging pockets that push outward at weak spots along the walls of your large intestines, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. When these pouches become irritated or inflamed, this more acute condition is called diverticulitis. Although doctors advise people with diverticulosis to maintain a high-fiber diet to control diverticulosis symptoms, dietary recommendations change once you notice the abdominal pain, cramping, fever, chills and diarrhea that signal a diverticulitis flare-up.
Clear Liquid Diet
At the beginning of a diverticulitis attack, switch to a clear liquid diet that allows your intestines to rest. This diet includes most fluids that you can see through, including plain or carbonated water, broth, consommé, clear soda or sports drinks and pulp-free fruit juices. You can also safely enjoy foods that melt to form clear liquids at room temperature such as plain gelatin and ice pops.
Forbidden Liquids
Stay away from any beverages you can't see through, including milk, hot chocolate, buttermilk and cream. Fruit smoothies, nectars, prune juice are forbidden on a clear liquid diet. You should also avoid any juices that contain pulp, including orange juice, tomato juice and vegetable juices. Don't consume cream soups, chowders, frozen fruit ice with pulp or gelatin with fruit bits.
High-Fiber Foods
As your diarrhea and other diverticulitis symptoms begin to improve, you can slowly introduce low-fiber foods into your meals and snacks. Stick with canned fruits, eggs, plain white pasta or rice, enriched white bread, eggs, milk, yogurt and tender meat, fish, poultry or vegetables. Stay away from fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as canned or frozen varieties that contain seeds, membranes or peels. Avoid whole-grain products, including whole-wheat bread, pastas and cereals. Eliminate breaded, tough or fried meat and poultry from your diverticulitis diet.
Warnings
Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics and bed rest along with your diverticulitis diet. MayoClinic.com notes that your diarrhea and other diverticulitis symptoms should start to improve within 2 or 3 days after you've started these treatments. If your symptoms get worse, you start running a fever or you don't feel better in a few days, call your physician. You should also let your doctor know if you can't keep clear liquids down. You may need to be admitted to the hospital for intravenous fluids and antibiotics to clear up your diverticulitis.
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