The diverticulitis diet should start with clear, easily digestible liquids such as chicken broth, strained and blended fruit juices, coconut water, and gelatin. At the beginning, this type of feeding should be carried out because it is necessary to calm the intestine, keep it at rest and avoid or reduce the formation of feces.Diverticulitis Patients Diet For Diverticulitis Patients

Diverticulitis attacks happen when diverticula in the colon, which are abnormal pouches that form in the wall of the intestine, become inflamed or infected. This causes symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and inability to go to the bathroom.For this reason, the food to be consumed must be easy to digest and low in fiber. 

Once the diverticulitis crisis improves, the diet also adapts, going from a liquid diet to a pureed diet, until consuming solid foods again. From there, it is important to increase the consumption of foods rich in fiber, probiotics and water, thus preventing another crisis from arising.  Diet For Diverticulitis Patients

What to eat during a diverticulitis attack

At the beginning of a diverticulitis crisis, the diet should be low in fiber and with easily digestible foods. To observe tolerance to the oral route, a diet of clear liquids should be started, which should include blended and strained fruit juices, being able to consume apple, pear and peach; defatted chicken broth and chamomile or linden teas. Usually this feeding is maintained for 24 hours. 

Once the crisis subsides, it is changed to a blended diet, which includes blended and strained fruit juice; blended and strained soups with cooked vegetables (pumpkin, celery, yam, ocumo, zucchini, chayota or eggplant), and chicken or turkey; gruel such as cornstarch or cream of rice without milk; plain yogurt; liquid unsweetened jelly and chamomile or linden teas. Usually this feeding is maintained for 24 hours. 

What to avoid during a diverticulitis attack

During the crisis, you shouldn’t eat foods that can make the diverticula more inflamed. This means you shouldn’t eat the following:

• Sugar and sweet foods , such as candy bars, puddings, ice cream, and cakes;

• Fibers, such as raw vegetables, fruit peels, seeds, and whole grains;

• Red and processed meats , such as beef and pork, hamburgers and sausages;

• Foods that cause gas, such as legumes, milk, eggs, nuts, onion, potato, asparagus, cheese, broccoli and cabbage;

• Beverages, such as soft drinks, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. 

• Industrialized and fried foods, such as instant or frozen meals, concentrated soup broths, pizzas, snacks, French fries and sauces.

  In addition to that, it is important to rest, drink fluids and follow the doctor’s guidelines, which may indicate the use of painkillers and antibiotics. Learn more about diverticulitis, symptoms, and how to treat it.

What should food be like after the crisis?

Once the diverticulitis crisis is over, it is essential to progressively reintroduce foods rich in fiber in the diet, this in order not to cause gas or abdominal pain, starting with a portion of fruit and raw vegetables per day , and then you could increase the portions and gradually incorporate flours and whole grains. In addition to this, water consumption should be increased, having to drink at least 2 L a day. 

People with diverticulosis need to eat enough fiber and drink enough water because it keeps them from getting constipated, helps the intestines move better, keeps the intestinal walls from getting weak, and makes the stool softer.When the feces become compacted in the intestine and take a long time to come out, they can cause the diverticula to become inflamed or infected and another crisis arises. See a diet rich in fiber . 

In addition to that

it is important to consume probiotic foods, which are beneficial microorganisms for intestinal health, being important in people who have diverticulosis, since it increases the immune system, prevents intestinal inflammation and infection caused by pathogenic bacteria, preventing recurrence. of diverticulitis crises.

Example menu during a diverticulitis crisis

The table below shows a sample 4-day menu with foods that calm the gut during a diverticulitis crisis.

The amounts included in the menu vary according to age

gender, Diverticulitis Patients physical activity and whether or not you have any other associated disease, so the ideal is to go to a nutritionist to carry out a complete evaluation and develop a nutritional plan appropriate to your needs. 

It’s also important to remember that a diverticulitis crisis may require hospitalization and a nutritionist’s diet.
In serious cases, the nutritionist may recommend parenteral nourishment (intravenous) to rest the intestine and speed healing.

Sample menu to prevent diverticulitis crisis

After gradually incorporating food, without the appearance of symptoms again, a normal, balanced and healthy diet can be started to help prevent a new diverticulitis crisis.Diet For Diverticulitis Patients

This diet should be rich in fiber, probiotic foods and abundant in fluids. Also, the frequency of consumption of red meat should be reduced, especially the fatty parts, in addition to avoiding foods rich in sugar, industrialized foods and fast foods, such as frozen, canned and sausage products. Diet For Diverticulitis Patients

Here is a 3-day diet to prevent a new attack of diverticulitis:

A nutritionist can assess your needs and create a customized diet based on age, gender, physical activity, and other factors. Diet For Diverticulitis Patients