Diet for Diverticulitis Patients

Diverticulitis is a condition that stems from having diverticula along the digestive tract. Diverticula are pouches that form along the digestive tract, most commonly in the large intestine. This is a more common problem for people after the age of 40, and most people do not even know they have diverticula unless the pouches become inflamed creating the diverticulitis. For many diverticulitis patients, a special diet may be warranted. It is a diet that decreases the chances of diverticula becoming inflamed.

Diet for Diverticulitis

A special diet for diverticulitis aids the digestive tract in healing and allows it to rest. Your doctor will tell you that you need to eat foods that are calming and soothing for your digestive tract. These are commonly nonspicy and nonirritating foods. Bland foods such as Jell-O, broth, clear sodas, ice pops, cream of wheat and water are recommended.

Your doctor will also have you eat low-fiber foods that will not stimulate your bowels too much, such as canned fruits, eggs, low-fiber cereals, oatmeal, white rice, poultry and fish, milk, yogurt and cheese. These are typically easier to digest and will not cause too much peristalisis, which is the contraction of the muscles of the intestinal tract. When your bowels are stimulated, this can cause pain with the diverticulitis. The calmer the diverticula are, the faster they will heal.

Some of the foods you should avoid are those that contain small seeds or have small pieces of nuts. These small pieces can get trapped in the pouches and cause pain, nausea and vomiting. They can also further irritate the diverticula and make your condition worse. You should also avoid raisins and any kind of berries, along with broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage. These can be gas producers and cause gas to get trapped in the pouches.

Plain noodles and white rice are good foods for diverticulitis. They digest easily and will not irritate the pouches. Well-cooked vegetables that do not have seeds in them and have had the skins removed are also good for this condition.

Diet is extremely important with this condition. The more informed you are about what you can eat, and what you shouldn't eat, the better this condition will respond and the faster it will heal.