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What are the Most Important Parts of a Diverticulosis Diet?

Thomma Grindstaff
Thomma Grindstaff

The most important component of a diverticulosis diet is fiber. Diverticular disease results when weak spots in the colon's lining cause bulging pouches, also known as musocal herniations. When these pouches swell and grow inflamed, the condition is referred to as diverticulitis. Fiber can help keep diverticulosis from developing into diverticulitis. Patients with diverticulosis should increase their consumption of high-fiber foods while eating fewer low-fiber foods.

To prevent flare-ups of diverticulitis, medical professionals recommend eating a high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of fluids. Good diverticulosis foods include whole grain rice, pasta and bread, and fruit whose skin and seeds may be consumed. Legumes such as beans, lentils and peas are good high-fiber replacements for meat, which is a low-fiber food. Vegetables are a healthy addition to any meal. When eating a high-fiber, diverticulosis diet, plenty of fluids must be consumed.

Green peas are high in fiber, which is good for people with diverticulosis.
Green peas are high in fiber, which is good for people with diverticulosis.

When diverticulitis occurs, the colon pouches undergo swelling and inflammation and may cause a patient to experience symptoms such as vomiting, nausea and fever. The immediate treatment for diverticulitis is usually a round of antibiotics. A doctor may also instruct a patient with diverticulitis to rest his or her colon by consuming a liquid diet for a while. Following the liquid diet, the patient will need to transition to getting more fiber in his or her regular diet, since a diverticulosis diet will soften stools and reduce the likelihood of future inflammation. Fiber should not be added too rapidly to the diet; rather, it should be increased on a gradual basis.

A diagram showing diverticulosis and other colon conditions.
A diagram showing diverticulosis and other colon conditions.

Doctors sometimes recommend that patients who have diverticulosis regularly take stool-softening agents like psyllium or methylcellulose. These fiber-filled substances can be obtained over the counter and can be mixed with food or sprinkled in drinks to increase overall dietary fiber and enhance the benefits of a diverticulosis diet. Patients who take fiber supplements must drink a minimum of 8 ounces (237 ml) of water with each dose.

Drinking fluids helps alleviate hard stools, which can exacerbate diverticulitis.
Drinking fluids helps alleviate hard stools, which can exacerbate diverticulitis.

Diverticulosis is one of the most common intestinal disorders, especially in people who are over 60 years old. Each bulging pouch in the colon is called a diverticulum, and the pouches are collectively referred to as diverticula. Diverticulosis most frequently appears in the sigmoid colon, the lower region of the large intestine in which stools form before excretion.

Many doctors advise that patients follow a high-fiber diet in order to reduce diverticulitis attacks.
Many doctors advise that patients follow a high-fiber diet in order to reduce diverticulitis attacks.

The condition is thought to be caused by getting too little fiber in the diet. That is why a diverticulosis diet, whether to mitigate the problem or to help prevent colon disease in the first place, must be high in fiber and fluids. When people eat too little fiber and don't drink enough water, their stools become difficult to pass, and this leads to constipation and straining during bowel movements. The straining contributes to weak spots in the colon from which the diverticula manifest.

Discussion Comments

Talentryto

@heavanet- Oatmeal is a great breakfast food that contains lots of fiber. There are also many ways to make it more interesting and nutritious, like adding pieces of fruit or milk and honey to it.

Ocelot60

@heavanet- Not only do eggs and meat lack fiber, but most breakfast meats have high fat contents. This is also not good for people with diverticulosis.

I think that your friend's breakfast menus should consist of fruits and cereals that are high in fiber. These foods are good for individuals with diverticulosis, and are also filling.

Your friend doesn't have to give up eggs and meat for breakfast, but she should cook with as little fat as possible. Boiled and poached eggs are good options, and low-fat ham is better than sausage and bacon for anyone who is trying to eat a diverticulosis diet.

Heavanet

I have a relative who was just diagnosed with diverticulosis, and I am helping her put together a high fiber diet plan. She usually eats eggs and meat for breakfast, so I am looking for some ideas of alternative foods for her morning meal.

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    • Green peas are high in fiber, which is good for people with diverticulosis.
      By: sevenk
      Green peas are high in fiber, which is good for people with diverticulosis.
    • A diagram showing diverticulosis and other colon conditions.
      By: Alila
      A diagram showing diverticulosis and other colon conditions.
    • Drinking fluids helps alleviate hard stools, which can exacerbate diverticulitis.
      By: anyaivanova
      Drinking fluids helps alleviate hard stools, which can exacerbate diverticulitis.
    • Many doctors advise that patients follow a high-fiber diet in order to reduce diverticulitis attacks.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      Many doctors advise that patients follow a high-fiber diet in order to reduce diverticulitis attacks.