Getting older is the main risk factor for diverticulosis, which can lead to diverticulitis. Other risk factors for getting diverticulitis include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Being a male<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Being overweight<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eating a low-fiber diet<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eating a diet high in fat and red meat<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Not exercising<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Taking over-the-counter and prescription pain-killing drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen<\/a>, steroids, or opioids<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Smoking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foods to avoid with diverticulitis <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While individual diverticulitis flare up symptoms can vary, there are several types of foods that individuals with diverticulitis are often advised to avoid or consume in moderation. Lets take a closer look at foods to avoid if you have diverticulitis and what foods that trigger diverticulitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
High-fiber foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Eating a high-fiber diet is recommended when you don\u2019t have an active case of diverticulitis <\/strong>due to its numerous health benefits. During a diverticulitis attack, you should avoid high-fiber foods because they can irritate the already inflamed pouches in your intestines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
High-fiber foods to avoid during a diverticulitis attack include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Beans and lentils<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Whole grains like whole-wheat bread, pasta, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Oatmeal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fruits and vegetables with skin and seeds, like raspberries, blackberries, apples, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Nuts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Seeds<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Popcorn<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wheat bran<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- High-fiber cold cereals<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Crunchy peanut butter<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alcohol and diverticulitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A common question is can you drink alcohol with diverticulitis. Indulging in alcohol can potentially irritate your stomach lining and act as a trigger for diverticulitis symptoms. Moreover, regular alcohol consumption might elevate the likelihood of experiencing recurrent flare-ups. Other diverticulitis drinks to avoid include, sugary beverages, such as soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened coffee and tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fatty foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Included in the list of foods to avoid with diverticulitis is fatty foods, so you might want to reduce your fat intake during a diverticulitis flare-up. Fat can worsen stomach upset like nausea and vomiting. In some people, it can cause diarrhea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of fried and breaded foods, try to choose baked, boiled, or steamed foods. You can also opt for lean protein like skinless chicken instead of a steak dinner and choose lower-fat alternatives until your symptoms improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foods to eat if you have diverticulitis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you have an active case of inflammation in your gut, it\u2019s best to eat a low-fiber diet to help give you bowel rest. You should only follow a low-fiber diet temporarily since it\u2019s not a healthy diet long-term. In this section, we take a look at the best diet for diverticulitis flare up and what to eat with diverticulitis flare up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Low-fiber foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A low-fiber <\/strong>diet (also called a low residue diet) for an active case of diverticulitis might include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Refined or enriched white bread and plain crackers, such as saltines\/soda crackers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cooked cereals like farina, cream of wheat, and grits<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cold cereals, like puffed rice and corn flakes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- White rice, noodles, and refined pasta
<\/li>\n\n\n\n - Well-cooked fresh vegetables or canned vegetables without seeds, e.g., asparagus tips, beets, green beans, carrots, mushrooms, spinach, seedless squash, and pumpkin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cooked potatoes without skin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tomato sauce
<\/li>\n\n\n\n - Ripe bananas<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Soft cantaloupe<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Honeydew<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Canned or cooked fruits without seeds or skin, like applesauce or canned pears<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Avocado<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dairy products (if you\u2019re not intolerant to milk\/lactose)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Meat<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eggs
<\/li>\n\n\n\n - Margarine, butter, and oils<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mayonnaise and ketchup<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sour cream<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Smooth sauces and salad dressing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Soy sauce<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Seedless jelly, honey, and syrup
<\/li>\n\n\n\n - Decaffeinated coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages (if caffeine upsets your stomach)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Milk<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Juices made without seeds or pulp, like apple, pulp-free orange, cranberry, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Strained vegetable juices<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Fermented foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fermented foods contain probiotics<\/a> that feed the healthy bacteria in your gut. Your beneficial gut bacteria are negatively impacted if you need antibiotics for a diverticulitis flare-up. Eating probiotic-rich fermented foods can help promote the replenishing of healthy gut bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some examples of fermented foods include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Cultured milk (kefir) and yogurt<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tempeh<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Miso<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Kimchi<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sauerkraut<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How does diet affect a diverticulitis flare up?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A low-fiber diet has been thought to increase your risk of diverticulosis and diverticulitis. However, research has been conflicting on this theory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some studies<\/a> say that eating a high-fiber diet doesn\u2019t reduce your risk of diverticulosis or diverticulitis, while other studies<\/a> note a correlation between fiber intake and diverticulitis risk (1, 2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of the research, eating a high-fiber diet is still beneficial due to its numerous benefits for your digestive system. Eating a high-fiber diet can help prevent constipation<\/a>, improve the flora of healthy bacteria, and might reduce your risk of colorectal cancer (3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many people are under the false impression that they should avoid nuts, seeds, popcorn, and other high-fiber foods if they have a history of diverticulitis. That isn\u2019t the case – you only need to avoid those foods during an active diverticulitis attack, but not when you\u2019re symptom-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Other factors to consider<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Medication use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As mentioned earlier, taking certain medications like NSAIDs<\/a> (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) might increase your risk of diverticulitis. Taking NSAIDs can also increase your risk of bleeding from diverticulitis (4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smoking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Smoking increases your risk of diverticulitis and is associated with numerous other health problems like cancer, diabetes, and other preventable chronic diseases. If you currently smoke, here are some helpful resources<\/a> to help you quit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"smoking-and-diabetes\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/large-Smoking-and-Diabetes-Is-it-Time-to-Quit.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Drinking enough fluids is important for your digestive health and can help prevent constipation and other gastrointestinal issues. Constipation can lead to straining, which might increase the pressure in your intestines and lead to more diverticula forming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drinking enough water is essential when eating a high-fiber diet since inadequate fluid intake on a high-fiber diet can lead to constipation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lifestyle changes to help manage diverticulitis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gradually increase your fiber intake<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
After being on a low-fiber diet during the peak of your diverticulitis symptoms, you should work to gradually increase your fiber intake as tolerated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Diverticulitis is a painful condition, and you don\u2019t want it to lead to an infection. If diverticulitis becomes complicated, it can lead to abscesses and serious infections requiring hospitalization and even surgery. Take it easy and give your body a chance to heal during and after a diverticulitis flare-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be in contact with your healthcare provider<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Keep your healthcare provider informed on your symptoms and progress. If things aren\u2019t getting better, early intervention can help reduce the chance of more serious complications.
If you\u2019re admitted to the hospital for more complicated diverticulitis, you\u2019ll likely receive IV fluids and antibiotics and will be monitored until you\u2019re safe to return home.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStay active<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Being active is good for your digestive health. Regular physical activity can help reduce the pressure in your intestines (high intestinal pressure can lead to diverticula forming). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a study<\/a>, physical activity (specifically running) was inversely correlated with the risk of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding.
You should rest during an active diverticulitis attack but plan to resume regular physical activity as soon as you are medically cleared to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Diverticulosis is the presence of pouches in the walls of your small and large intestines and is very common among older people. Most people with diverticulosis don\u2019t get diverticulitis, which is inflammation and\/or infection of the diverticula (pouches).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without diverticulitis symptoms, it isa important to consider what not to eat with diverticulitis and it\u2019s ideal to eat a fiber-rich diet, exercise regularly, not smoke, and stay hydrated. During an active diverticulitis flare-up, you should eat a low-fiber diet to encourage bowel rest and resume a high-fiber diet as soon as you are able.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Explore More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"foods](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/foods-to-avoid-when-constipated-1024x217.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
- Smoking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n