Diverticulitis Diet

The Diverticulitis Diet

The diverticulitis diet is designed to reduce the risk of developing inflammation within the diverticuli pockets. The first part of this page covers the specialized diet. The second part covers the medical weight loss plan, for those with diverticular disease trying to lose weight.

The Correct Diet For Diverticulitis

The key to the Diverticulitis Diet is fiber. Fiber will help to keep your stool soft and the pressure inside your bowel low. This allows for the easy movement of stool through the colon.

By passing more easily and having a soft consistency, the bouts of diverticulitis will decrease. Fewer bouts of diverticular inflammation can lower the risk for serious problems like bowel obstruction and infection.

The American Dietetic Association recommends 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day. Of this, about 6-8 grams should be soluble fiber. All Americans should eat more fiber, but this is critical if you have diverticular disease or diverticulosis.

Listed below is a good Diverticulitis Diet. Try your best to follow it. If you're not used to eating fiber, stomach cramping may occur at first, but this will fade with time.

The Diverticulitis Diet...

Eat 5-6 meals per day
Increase the amount of fiber in your diet slowly
Your goal is to eat 35 grams of fiber (10 grams soluable fiber) per day

Some higher fiber diet foods perfect for the Diverticulitis diet include...

Fruits for the diet for diverticulitis
apple 1 medium = 4g fiber
peach 1 medium = 2g
pear 1 medium = 4g
tangerine 1 medium = 2g
Vegetables for the diet for diverticulitis
acorn squash, fresh, cooked 3/4 cup = 7g fiber
asparagus, fresh, cooked 1/2 cup = 1.5g
broccoli, fresh, cooked 1/2 cup = 2g
brussels sprouts, fresh, cooked 1/2 cup = 2g
cabbage, fresh, cooked 1/2 cup = 2g
carrot, fresh, cooked 1 = 1.5g
cauliflower, fresh, cooked 1/2 cup = 2g
romaine lettuce 1 cup = 1g
spinach, fresh, cooked 1/2 cup = 2g
tomato, raw 1 = 1 gram
zucchini, fresh, cooked 1 cup = 2.5g
Starchy Vegetables for the diet for diverticulitis
black-eyed peas, fresh, cooked 1/2 cup = 4g
lima beans, fresh, cooked 1/2 cup = 4.5g
kidney beans, fresh, cooked 1/2 cup = 6g
potato, fresh, cooked 1 = 3g
Grains for the diet for diverticulitis
bread, whole-wheat 1 slice = 2g
brown rice, cooked 1 cup = 3.5g
cereal, bran flake 3/4 cup = 5g
oatmeal, plain, cooked 3/4 cup = 3g
white rice, cooked 1 cup = 1g

Source: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA Nutrient Database for standard reference.

Medical Weight Loss for Diverticular Disease

The best way to lose weight on the Diverticulitis Diet is to follow a medical weight loss plan that slowly and only moderately restricts calories (250-550 reduced calories per day) and involves exercise.

Do not change your daily fiber intake while trying to lose weight. Consider your daily fiber intake as permenant no matter what your weight loss goals are and how you decide to lose weight.

Additional Resources:

More than the diverticulitis diet on our medical weight loss page

Healthy weight loss home page

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