Eating Well With Diverticulitis

What Is Diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is a condition where small, pouch-like structures in the wall of the large intestine become inflamed. These pouches, known as diverticula, are quite common in adults over the age of 50 and are generally harmless until inflammation sets in.

Diverticulitis symptoms can vary from mild to severe and often include:

• Abdominal cramping

• Pain or tenderness in the area

• Swelling

• Bloating

• Fever

• Nausea

• Constipation or diarrhoea

If you feel any of these symptoms, seek medical help promptly. Your health insurance coverage allows you to get the best treatment without the worry of high medical costs.

How Diet Affects Diverticulitis?

A diet high in fibre helps keep your stool soft and easy to pass when things are calm. This lowers the pressure in your colon, which may lower the risk of new diverticula forming or existing ones getting worse.

But when you have an active diverticulitis flare-up, fibre can make your symptoms worse since the inflamed colon may struggle to process fibre. That's why you need to change your diet based on what phase you are in:

• During Flare-Ups: Drink clear liquids and eat foods that are low in fibre. This gives your digestive system a break and keeps it from getting worse.

• Long-Term Gut Health: Once you feel better, slowly add more fibre back into your meals. Eating a lot of fibre can help you have regular bowel movements and may lower your risk of having more flare-ups in the future.

You can use your individual health insurance to consult with a nutritionist of your choice. This allows you to make informed eating decisions with the worry of medical costs.

Diet Tips During a Diverticulitis Flare-Up

When your diverticulitis flares up, taking a break from eating can help. This usually means only drinking clear liquids for a few days. It helps calm your stomach while keeping you hydrated and giving your digestive system time to rest and heal.

Here’s what’s allowed:

• Clear, fat-free broth or stock

• Fruit juice without pulp (like apple or grape juice)

• Soda

• Tea or black coffee (no milk or cream)

• Gelatin (without fruit pieces)

• Ice lollies or ice chips (no fruit bits or pulp)

• Water

As You Recover From a Flare-Up

Once your symptoms start to get better, your doctor will usually tell you to follow a low-fibre or low-residue diet for a few days. This helps your colon heal without putting too much stress on it, and it also slowly gets your gut used to eating normally again. A low-fibre (or soft) diet means eating foods that are easy for your body to break down.

Good options include:

• Starchy foods: White bread, white rice, white pasta, potatoes without skin

• Proteins: Eggs, soft-baked fish, shredded chicken or turkey, tofu

• Dairy: Milk, yoghurt, Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, cheese

• Fruits: Applesauce, canned fruits (like peaches or pears), ripe bananas, soft ripe melon

• Vegetables: Well-cooked or canned vegetables (no skin or seeds)

7 foods to avoid with diverticulitis:

• Whole grains (brown rice, whole wheat bread)

• Beans, legumes and lentils

• Raw fruits and vegetables

• Spicy foods

• High-FODMAP foods. Limit fruits like plums and pears, certain vegetables like onions and garlic, and some dairy products.

• Fatty foods like red meat, processed meats, and fried foods.

• Alcohol and caffeinated drinks

Diet to Prevent Diverticulitis

After a diverticulitis flare-up, you should focus on your gut health. Eat high-fibre foods, which help keep your bowel movements regular and lower the risk of diverticulitis coming back.

• Whole grains: Whole wheat bread, quinoa, oats, bran cereal

• Beans and legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans

• Vegetables: Spinach, broccoli, carrots, pumpkin, lady fingers

• Fruits: Berries, apples and pears (with skin), oranges

In addition to getting more fibre, remember to drink a lot of water to help fibre move through your body easily. Moderate exercise like brisk walking or yoga keeps you active and helps your digestion.