{"id":25983,"date":"2021-03-31T09:30:43","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T13:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=25983"},"modified":"2026-09-03T14:03:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T18:03:04","slug":"diverticulitis-diet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/diverticulitis-diet\/","title":{"rendered":"The best diverticulitis diet: 7 foods to eat and 8 to avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pockets are all the rage in fashion these days, but pockets in your colon <\/i>can cause some serious problems\u2014namely, diverticulitis, a painful medical condition that occurs when these small pockets, called diverticula, become inflamed or infected.<\/p>\n

To be clear, many Americans (especially those older than 50) develop these small pouches in their colon wall; this is called diverticulosis or diverticular disease, and it usually isn\u2019t a serious condition. You can have diverticula and never experience inflammation or infection. In fact, most people with diverticulosis will not experience problems. The two complications that can occur with diverticulosis are diverticular bleeding and diverticulitis\u2014and these acute attacks, or flare-ups, are not only painful but can be dangerous if left untreated.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Figuring out what causes diverticulitis for you, personally, is the most important thing you can do to manage your condition and avoid flare-ups…but you might not be aware yet of what your triggers are. Here are the foods generally considered safe and unsafe to eat\u2014as well as how else you can manage your diverticulitis.\u00a0<\/p>\n

How to manage diverticulitis with diet<\/h2>\n

While newly diagnosed people often feel overwhelmed by the limitations of a diverticulitis diet, the good news is that you don\u2019t need to be overly restrictive with what you eat or follow a special diet long-term. There are a few \u201cgolden rules\u201d when it comes to choosing safe foods for diverticulitis that can make it easy to keep your digestive system happy.<\/p>\n

Know your triggers\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Each person with diverticulitis needs to base their diet around their own particular circumstances, according to Kathryn A. Boling, MD<\/a>, a primary care provider with Mercy Personal Physicians at Lutherville in Maryland. What bothers you might not bother someone else with diverticulitis; on the flip side, you might be able to eat foods that many other people can\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cAcross populations, studies say you don\u2019t have to worry about what you eat [normally], but patients often say to me, \u2018I know we can eat whatever we want, but I\u2019ve noticed things like nuts or popcorn cause problems for me,\u2019\u201d Dr. Boling says.<\/p>\n

FYI, Dr. Boling suffers from diverticulitis herself…and her biggest trigger is blackberries. If something triggers your symptoms, avoid eating it even if it doesn\u2019t go against \u201cthe rules.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Take it slow\u00a0<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve recently had a diverticulitis attack and are getting back to eating normally again, it\u2019s important to ease into your usual diet. This is especially important if you don\u2019t know what caused your flare-up; otherwise, you run the risk of eating the exact thing that triggered your symptoms in the first place. You may then have to start all over again. It is also recommended to initially eat a low-fiber diet during and immediately after a bout of diverticulitis. Examples of low-fiber foods include white bread, white rice, and white potatoes. Long-term, a diet full of fiber-rich foods is recommended.<\/p>\n

Try a Low-FODMAP or BRAT diet<\/h3>\n

The low-FODMAP diet,<\/a> which focuses on reducing fermentable carbohydrates that can cause gas, can be particularly helpful during diverticulitis flare-ups that cause bloating and abdominal pain. By eliminating foods high in FODMAPs\u2014such as certain fruits, vegetables, legumes, and dairy products\u2014you may experience relief from uncomfortable digestive symptoms. Once the flare ends and inflammation decreases, try slowly reintroducing these foods to identify your personal triggers.<\/p>\n

The BRAT diet<\/a>, which consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, can give your digestive system a rest during a flare-up. These easily digestible foods help stabilize bowel movements and reduce intestinal irritation. The BRAT diet should only be followed for a short period until symptoms improve, because it doesn\u2019t provide the nutrients you need over the long-term.<\/p>\n

Understand how to manage attacks<\/h3>\n

\u201cWhat you eat when you have an acute attack is different than what you eat when you\u2019re better,\u201d explains Dr. Boling, who adds that during an attack, you should stay away from any hard-to-digest foods and foods that pass through your GI system quickly (such as raw veggies and roughage).<\/p>\n

On the other hand, if you\u2019re not having an attack, it\u2019s okay to eat any foods you know are not a trigger for you.<\/p>\n

7 foods to eat to prevent a flare-up<\/h2>\n

The American Gastroenterology Association<\/a> recommends that patients who have experienced a prior diverticulitis attack consume a high-fiber diet to avoid future flare-ups. Keep in mind that this list is subjective, and something here may be a trigger for you. But in general, these foods tend to be easy on the intestines of people with diverticulitis.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Whole-grain carbohydrates:<\/b> If low-fiber cereals and rice are difficult for you to digest, try instant oatmeal, whole wheat pasta or noodles, and whole-grain bread, muffins, or wraps.\u00a0<\/li>\n
  2. Lean protein:<\/b> Eggs and tender cuts of meat (think shredded chicken, baked fish, and ground beef) are usually easy to digest.<\/li>\n
  3. Cooked fruits and vegetables:<\/b> If you believe the skin of fruits has caused irritation in the past, you may need to remove it.<\/li>\n
  4. Starchy foods<\/b>, like potatoes: A diet high in starch is friendly to your colon (however, you may consider peeling the potatoes first).<\/li>\n
  5. Juice, tea, and water:<\/b> Choose pulp-free juices (apple, grape, or cranberry instead of orange) that won’t irritate your colon.<\/li>\n
  6. Beans and legumes:<\/b> Beans and legumes, such as lentils, chickpeas, and kidney beans, are high in fiber, which reduces constipation and improves digestive function.<\/li>\n
  7. Probiotic-rich foods<\/b>: Probiotic-rich foods, like kimchi, kefir, yogurt, kombucha, and sauerkraut, can reduce<\/a> the risk of diverticulitis flare-ups by enhancing<\/a> digestive health.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What to eat during a diverticulitis flare-up<\/h2>\n

    When you\u2019re in the middle of a flare, changing up your diet to \u201cbaby\u201d your gut allows it to rest and heal. Once the flare is under control, you can return to normal eating habits.<\/p>\n

    Symptoms of a diverticulitis flare-up include:<\/p>\n