Dietary Management of Diverticular Disease

After a flare-up of diverticulitis, it is important to follow a low-residue diet also know as a low fibre diet. This is to allow the bowel to rest and repair.

​Low fibre options include white bread, pasta and rice as well as small amounts of fruit and vegetables with the skin peeled.

Avoiding high fibre foods - whole grains, legumes, brown rice, wholemeal pasta, nuts and seeds, as well as fibrous fruit and vegetables.

After a flare up, the management is quite different in fact it is basically a healthy eating plan ensuring an adequate fibre including those foods avoided in a flare up,  and adequate fluid intake. 

Plenty of fibre is to ensure healthy bowel function by assisting the movement of food and waste through the digestive system, reducing the pressure within the large intestine that can be the trigger for the development of diverticula.

It was once believed that those with diverticular disease needed to avoid high residue foods such as nuts, seeds, corn and popcorn. It was thought that these foods might become wedged in one of the abnormal bowel pouches, causing the area to become infected. 
However, recent research indicates that avoiding these foods has no impact on preventing a bout of diverticulitis. In fact nuts and seeds should be included as part of a healthy balanced diet. They are high in protein, good fats, vitamins and minerals and are a good source of fibre.