Diverticulitis Diet Foods to eat and avoid

Diverticulitis Diet – Food to eat and avoid with Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis Diet Plan & Shopping List

Mostly doctor recommends diverticulitis diet as a short term treatment for people suffering from diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is a condition that affects your digestive system. It results in inflamed pouches in your intestine that are known as diverticula. 

It is believed that about 10% of Americans over the age of 40 are suffering from diverticulitis. The rate is continuously increasing with aging. Fortunately, many people find relief from this by limiting the flare-up foods and moving towards the easily digested food, and following a diverticulitis diet. 

It is vital to make some changes in your diet to help your digestive tract. Because if it is left untreated, then the perforation and infection can lead to your digestive tract scarring. Check out the diverticulitis diet food list to find out which foods to include and which to avoid. 

Diverticulitis Diet Food List

Foods to eat in the Diverticulitis diet

    To improve your condition and avoid worsening side effects with time, your doctor will recommend some dietary changes in your diet.

Suppose you are having an acute attack of diverticulitis. In that case, your doctor can suggest a clear liquid diet or maybe a low-carb diet that will benefit in relieving the diverticulitis symptoms. 

Once there is an improvement in your condition, your doctor can advise you to stick with the low-carb diet until you get rid of all the diverticulitis symptoms.

  • Some fruit juices like apple juice without pulp
  • Cooked or canned or vegetables such as green beans, carrots, and potatoes after peeling their skin offIce chips
  • Broth
  • Low-fiber cereals
  • Water

Whether you are following a clear liquid diet or not, it is beneficial to have at least 8 cups of fluid daily. In this way, you can support your gastrointestinal health by keeping yourself hydrated.

  • Ice pops without bits of fruit or fruit pulp
  • Eggs, fish, and poultry
  • white bread
  • Gelatin
  • Fruit and vegetable juice with no pulp
  • Tea or coffee but without cream
  • Milk, cheese, or yogurt
  • Canned or cooked fruits without seeds or any skin
  • White rice noodles and pasta

Foods to avoid in diverticulitis

If you had diverticulitis in the past or you are currently suffering from it, there are some foods you should try to avoid because some foods can result in increasing or reducing the flares’ risk from occurring. Here are some foods you should try to avoid during diverticulitis.

People avoid food that is high in FODMAPS. Here is a list of the foods that you will prevent during the following diverticulitis. 

  • Cabbage
  • Beans
  • Garlic and onions
  • Dairy products like ice cream, milk, and yogurt
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Certain fruits like pears, plums, and apples
  • Fermented foods like Kimchi and sauerkraut
  • Vegetables and fruits with seeds and skin
  • Popcorn
  • Whole grains
  • Seeds and nuts
  • Red and processed meat

Having a diet rich in processed and red meats can increase your risk of diverticulitis. On the other hand, a diet for diverticulitis rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits is associated with fewer risks. 

Foods high in sugar and fat

A general western diet high in sugar and fat and low in fiber is directly linked with more diverticulitis incidences. Generally, avoiding specific food can help in reducing diverticulitis symptoms. These foods include

  • Red meat
  • Fried foods
  • Refined meat
  • Full fat dairy
  • Drinks

It is essential to avoid such foods and drinks that can make your health condition worse. Besides, you should also avoid alcohol if you are suffering from diverticulitis. 

Diets for Diverticulitis

Low fiber diet

A low fiber diet is beneficial if you are suffering from diverticulitis symptoms, and the food list of this diet includes:

  • White bread, white pasta, or white rice, but in case you are intolerant, avoid foods having gluten
  • Processed fruits like canned peaches and applesauce
  • Dry and low fiber cereals
  • Some beneficial oils like olive oil
  • Potatoes without skin
  • Vegetable and fruit juices
  • Carrots, beets, cooked spinach, asparagus
  • Zanchi, yellow squash, or pumpkin: seeds removed, peeled, and adequately cooked

Clear Liquid diet

A clear liquid diet is a more restrictive diet approach to get rid of your diverticulitis symptoms. Besides, this diet for diverticulitis is only recommended for a short period.

Generally, a clear liquid diet consists of:

  • Water
  • Coffee or tea but without any sweeteners, creams, or flavors
  • Clear electrolyte drinks
  • Gelatin like Jell-O
  • Ice pops with pieces of finely chopped fruit
  • Ice chips

Low FODMAP diet

Some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) get benefits while following a low FODMAP diet. Besides, it also helps some people with diverticulitis.

FODMAPS stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols and is a type of carbohydrate. 

Some other dietary Considerations

Whether you are following a clear liquid diet or not, it is beneficial to have at least 8 cups of fluid daily. In this way, you can support your gastrointestinal health by keeping yourself hydrated.

Always consult your doctor before making sudden dietary changes. For example, your doctor will recommend adding some low-fiber foods to your diet if you are on a clear liquid diet.

Shop for Fibroid Fighting Products

Food

Foods brands to try: 365 Everyday Value’s Refried Black Beans, Bush’s Reduced Sodium Pinto Beans, Simply Balanced Organic Cannellini Beans, Amy’s Light in Sodium Minestrone, GOYA Low Sodium Black Beans.

Drinks 

Fresh fruits and vegetable juices brands: Bowl, Florida’s natural, Ganterra, Golji, Juicy juice, Minute maid, Jumex.

 Essential oils

Here are some essential oils from medicinal plants that have better efficacy in treating diverticulitis when you compare them with conventional medicines. 

Peppermint essential oil

It is very beneficial in getting rid of digestive problems.

Chamomile Essential oil

This oil has many properties that help in dealing with diverticulitis pain and attack. 

Rosemary essential oil

This oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, carminative, stimulant, and digestive properties. By using this essential oil, you can experience many positive results in your condition. 

Antiseptic effects of rosemary essential oil will help against diarrhea and intestinal infections as well. It also helps in relieving the trouble and pain due to diverticulitis. 

Clove essential oil

This oil is extracted from Eugenia caryophllata. This essential oil has great importance due to its unlimited benefits for the digestive system. 

 Herbs and Spices

Turmeric

Turmeric is a magical herb with unlimited properties. It induces some enzyme secretion and protects the digestive tract, and relieves the pain. 

Slippery Elm

This natural herb aims the improve your bowel movement and reduces stomach pain. In addition, it is beneficial in the treatment of diverticulitis as it helps in soothing your digestive system. 

Licorice Root

This herb plays its role in boosting your immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore it aids in soothing your gastrointestinal problems. 

Flaxseed

It has Omega-3 fatty acids that help in reducing the intestinal tract. 

Marshmallow root

Marshmallow roots have various properties of fiber, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidants. In addition, you can improve your digestive tract by having these herbs. 

Nutrients and supplements 

Low fiber diet

Use food brands that have low fiber.

Get more Vitamin D

People with lower Vitamin D levels are at more risk of diverticulitis as compared to others. The recommended allowance of Vitamin D for an adult is 15 micrograms. You can get vitamin D from food and in the form of dietary supplements as well. Vitamin D supplements are available in two forms, D-2 (Ergocalciferol) and D-3 (Cholecalciferol).

 Other Health Care Products

Probiotics

Probiotics play their role in improving your gut bacteria and also prevent the recurrence of diverticulitis. These gut-friendly probiotics help in managing your diverticulitis symptoms more effectively. 

Benefits Probiotics for Diverticulitis

Probiotics are living organisms that come from gut microbiota. It helps in the treatment of conditions like constipation and bloating. Besides, it also helps eliminate conditions like IBS or Irritable bowel syndrome, Diverticulitis, and colitis. Probiotics offer incredible benefits and help in getting rid of these conditions. 

The main reason for diverticulitis is micro-flora of the inner gut, and probiotics restore your normal gut flora and help get rid of this condition. 

Some foods to include in your meal

Here is a small list of foods that are beneficial for improving your diverticulitis symptoms. 

  • Beans: Black beans and kidney beans
  • Pasta, cereal, and whole-grain bread
  • Vegetables, potatoes, peas, squash, spinach
  • Fresh fruits like pears, prunes, apples

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