What is the best diet and treatment for diverticulitis?

Diet for Diverticulitis: Simple Guide

Eat a high-fiber diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans—and you can eat nuts, seeds, and popcorn without worry. 1, 2

What to Eat

Foods That Help Prevent Flare-Ups

• Fruits and vegetables – These are your best sources of fiber and provide the strongest protection against diverticulitis 2, 3
• Whole grains – Choose whole wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, and whole grain cereals 1, 2
• Beans and legumes – Include lentils, chickpeas, black beans, and other legumes regularly 1, 2
• Aim for more than 22 grams of fiber daily – This is the amount shown to significantly reduce your risk of diverticulitis 3

Foods You DON'T Need to Avoid

• Nuts, seeds, corn, and popcorn are SAFE to eat – The old advice to avoid these foods was wrong, and they may actually help protect you 1, 2, 3
• These foods don't increase your risk of diverticulitis and avoiding them may reduce your overall fiber intake 1, 3

Foods to Limit

• Red meat – Keep this low in your diet 1, 2, 3
• Sweets and processed foods – Minimize these 1, 2, 3

During a Flare-Up (Acute Diverticulitis)

• Start with clear liquids – Broth, juice, water, and gelatin during the first few days when symptoms are worst 3
• Gradually advance your diet as symptoms improve and you can tolerate more food 3
• Return to your high-fiber diet once the flare-up resolves 1, 3

Other Important Lifestyle Changes

Stay Active

• Exercise regularly – Vigorous physical activity significantly reduces your risk of diverticulitis 1, 2, 4

Maintain Healthy Weight

• Keep your BMI between 18-25 – Obesity, especially belly fat, increases diverticulitis risk 2, 4

Avoid Certain Medications When Possible

• Limit non-aspirin pain relievers (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen – These increase diverticulitis risk 1, 2, 3, 4
• Aspirin is okay to continue if prescribed by your doctor 1, 3

Don't Smoke

• Quit smoking – This is an established risk factor for diverticulitis 2, 4

Limit Alcohol

• Heavy drinking increases risk – Moderate alcohol consumption appears safe, but alcoholism increases diverticulitis risk 2

What About Fiber Supplements?

• Whole foods are better than supplements – The protective effect comes from eating actual fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, not just taking fiber pills 2, 3
• Fiber supplements can help if you have trouble getting enough fiber from food, but they shouldn't replace a high-quality diet 1, 3

Important Facts About Your Risk

• About 50% of your risk is genetic – You can't change this, but you can control the other 50% through diet and lifestyle 2, 3, 4
• A vegetarian diet lowers risk – Plant-based eating patterns are associated with decreased diverticulitis 2

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Don't unnecessarily restrict nuts, seeds, or popcorn – This outdated advice has no scientific basis and may actually harm you by reducing fiber intake 1, 2, 3
• Don't rely on fiber supplements alone – The benefit comes from whole food sources of fiber 2, 3
• Don't assume you need antibiotics for every flare-up – Many people with uncomplicated diverticulitis don't need antibiotics at all 1, 3