Diverticulitis is a painful condition that occurs when diverticula -- small pouches -- form in your intestinal wall and become infected. While the cause of diverticulitis is unknown, a low-fiber diet may be a contributing factor because it causes constipation and straining, which can damage the intestine. Proper dietary treatment is very important for people with diverticulitis to allow the intestines to heal and to help prevent further recurrence. The Mayo Clinic Diet does not specifically address diverticulitis, but it does promote fiber as a crtical component in the diet.
The Mayo Clinic Diet
The Mayo Clinic Diet has two phases -- the Lose It! and the Live It! phases. The first phase lasts two weeks, and focuses on changing habits to achieve safe weight loss. The second phase builds on the first phase, and helps you lose one to two pounds a week until your goal weight is reached; then, it will help you maintain your goal weight. The diet plan centers around the Mayo Clinic's Healthy Weight Pyramid. The Mayo Clinic Diet also encourages daily physical activity.
Mayo Clinic's Healthy Weight Pyramid
At the base of the Mayo Clinic's Healthy Weight Pyramid, in the largest section of the pyramid, are fruits and vegetables. This means that they should be included in your diet in large amounts. Physical activity is also found at the base of the pyramid, as it should be included in your diet plan daily. The next food group up the pyramid is carbohydrates; they are the second largest food group after fruits and vegetables. Carbohydrates are followed by the protein and dairy group, with the fats and sweets group making up the top portion of the pyramid, indicating that you should only include minimal amounts in your diet.
The Mayo Clinic Diet and Diverticulitis
Eating a high fiber diet may prevent the development of diverticulitis. The Mayo Clinic Diet promotes high fiber intake by placing fruits and vegetables at the base, or the largest part, of the pyramid. Additionally, carbohydrates make up the next largest food group. Carbohydrates also contains some fiber, especially if you make whole grain choices. This high-fiber diet may prove to be protective against diverticulitis.
Considerations
While the high-fiber Mayo Clinic Diet may be beneficial in preventing diverticulitis, this diet should not be followed if you have recently been diagnosed with diverticulitis. Typically, after diagnosis, your doctor will keep you on a clear liquids diet for two to three days; clear liquids are easy for your body to digest and therefore give your gastrointestinal tract time to recover. Your doctor then allows you to reintroduce fiber into your diet slowly; speak to your doctor about when you can resume your high-fiber diet plan.
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