Foods to Avoid in Diverticulosis
You should NOT avoid any specific foods if you have diverticulosis—the outdated advice to restrict nuts, corn, popcorn, and seeds is not supported by evidence and should be abandoned. 1, 2
What the Evidence Actually Shows
Foods You Do NOT Need to Avoid
The most important message is correcting widespread misconceptions:
- Nuts, corn, and popcorn consumption is NOT associated with increased risk of diverticulitis and may actually be protective 1, 2, 3
- Small-seeded fruits like strawberries and blueberries are safe and do not increase diverticulitis risk 1, 2
- Seeds do not cause diverticulitis despite decades of this being taught to patients 1, 4
This myth has been thoroughly debunked by modern data, yet continues to be perpetuated 5. Restricting these foods unnecessarily may actually reduce your beneficial fiber intake 2.
Foods You SHOULD Limit or Avoid
The evidence points to a different set of dietary concerns:
- Red meat and sweets should be minimized, as a dietary pattern high in these foods increases diverticulitis risk 1, 2
- Processed meats should be reduced, particularly unprocessed red meat consumed as main dishes 6
- Sugar-sweetened beverages have been linked to increased risk and more severe disease course in inflammatory bowel conditions 7
What You SHOULD Eat
Focus on a high-quality, high-fiber diet to reduce your risk of progressing from diverticulosis to diverticulitis:
- Consume >22.1 g/day of fiber from whole food sources including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes 1, 2
- A vegetarian-style or Mediterranean dietary pattern naturally provides this fiber while being low in red meat 2, 7
- Fiber supplements like psyllium can complement but never replace a high-quality whole food diet 1, 2
Start fiber supplementation gradually to minimize abdominal bloating, which is common and may reduce adherence 2.
Critical Lifestyle Modifications Beyond Diet
- Engage in regular vigorous physical activity, which decreases diverticulitis risk 1, 2
- Achieve or maintain normal body mass index, as obesity (particularly central obesity) increases risk 1, 2
- Avoid smoking, which is a significant risk factor for diverticulitis 1, 2
- Avoid regular use of non-aspirin NSAIDs when possible, as they increase diverticulitis risk more than aspirin 1
- Avoid opiate analgesics, which are associated with diverticulitis and perforation 1, 2
Important Context About Risk
Approximately 50% of diverticulitis risk is genetic and cannot be modified through diet alone 1, 2. This means that even with perfect dietary adherence, you cannot eliminate your risk entirely—only reduce it. The protective dietary effects are based on observational studies of incident (first-time) diverticulitis rather than preventing progression from diverticulosis 1, 2.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not adopt overly restrictive elimination diets, as these can lead to malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies without evidence of benefit 7
- Do not use fiber supplements as a replacement for eating actual fruits, vegetables, and whole grains 1, 2
- Do not follow carnivore or other extreme restrictive diets, as they contradict evidence-based guidelines 7