Low Fiber Diet for Diverticulitis

Low Fiber Diet for Diverticulitis

Posted on: 3rd August 2020

What is a Low Fiber Diet for Diverticulitis?

Diverticula is often the result of not enough fiber in the diet. As a result, the stool become hard and it gets difficult to pass it through the colon. This pressure on the wall of the colon results in the formation of diverticula. While a high fiber diet may help prevent diverticulosis and thus diverticulitis, a low fiber diet is often recommended during flare-ups. In severe cases of diverticulitis flare-up, a clear liquid diet is preferred.

Examples of Low Fiber Diets for Diverticulitis:

Usually a low fiber diet, (approximately 10-15 grams of daily fiber) is recommended until the flares recede. Click here to see our dietary guidelines and sample meal plans for Low Residue Diverticulitis diets.

You also may want to avoid these foods, especially if you are having problems with diarrhea, or have gas , bloating or cramping:

Foods that are greasy, fried and high sugar content
Foods with high amounts of lactose
Sweetened and caffeinated beverages, including smoothies, fruit juices or sodas with high sugar content
Foods that contain artificial sweeteners.

Table of Low Residue Foods to Eat for Diverticulitis (If you are post-surgery for diverticulitis or your doctor has advised a liquid diet, please click here to see the “Liquid Diet Guidelines for Diverticulitis”

Low Residue Diet for Diverticulitis

	Foods To Eat	Foods to Limit
Meats, Fish, Poultry, Eggs	Baked, broiled, grilled or steamed meats/poultry/fish, deli slices, eggs	Fried meats/poultry/fish/eggs
Dairy	Lactose free dairy (any) low lactose dairy: cream cheese, half and half, hard cheeses (cheddar, Colby, Parmesan, Swiss, etc), soft cheeses (feta, mozzarella, etc), yogurt (Greek)	high lactose dairy (large amounts): buttermilk, chocolate, creamy/cheesy sauces, custard, ice cream, milk (cow's, goat's, sheep's, condensed, evaporated), soft cheeses (cottage, ricotta, etc), sour cream
Meat, Dairy Alternatives	milk alternatives (almond, coconut, rice, soy), creamy nut butters, tofu	beans, black eyed peas, lentils, nuts, crunchy nut butters, fried tofu, soybeans, split peas, soy/bean patties
Grains	made with refined wheat, made with foods allowed: bagels, biscuits, breads (french, italian, pita, white, sourdough), cereals (cream of wheat, cream of rice, oatmeal, cornflakes, Cheerios, Chex, Rice Krispies, etc), chips, crackers (graham, saltine, soda, etc), English muffins, flour tortillas, noodles, pancakes, pastas, pretzels, tapioca, waffles, white rice	made with whole wheat or made with foods to limit, barley, bran, breads (multi grain), bulgur, corn tortilla, croissants, high fiber cereals (Kashi, Fiber One, etc), granola, popcorn, quinoa, rice (brown, wild), rye, sugary cereals (Fruit Loops, etc), sweet rolls
Fruits	applesauce, avocado, banana, canned fruits (drain the syrup), lemon, lime, melons, peeled: apple, apricot, peach, pear, peach, plum, etc, fruit puree/sauces (any, no pulp, no skins)	dried fruits, fruit seeds/skins, fried fruits, berries, cherries, dates, figs, grapes, grapefruit, guava, kiwi, mango, papaya, persimmon, pineapple, pomegranate, prunes, orange
Vegetables	cooked (no pulp, no skins): beets, carrots, green beans, potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, squash, wax beans, yams, zucchini, etc, vegetable/tomato puree/sauces (any, no pulp, no skins)	raw vegetables, fried vegetables, vegetable seeds/skins, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, green peas, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, tomatoes
Beverages	Decaf coffee, fruit and vegetable juices/smoothies (any, small amounts, no pulp or skins), sport drinks, herbal tea	Caffeinated coffee, lattes, sodas, prune juice
Desserts	Angel food cake, chocolate (small amounts), marshmallows, sugar free desserts (puddings, popsicles, etc)	Fried desserts, brownies, cakes, caramel, candy, cookies, donuts, pastries, pies, sherbet, sorbet
Seasonings/Condiments	Broth, butter, cooking oils, all spices and herbs, gravy, honey, jam/jelly, ketchup, margarine, mayonnaise, mustard, pepper, salad dressings, sauces (BBQ, soy, etc), salt, vinegar	Coconut, maple syrup, olives, pickles, sugar (large amounts), jam/jelly with seeds, all seeds (flax, sunflower, etc), artificial sweeteners (isomalt, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol)

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While a high fiber diet may help prevent diverticulosis and thus diverticulitis, a low fiber (or low residue) diet is often recommended during flare-ups.

Source: Stanford Healthcare

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Low Fiber Diet for Diverticulitis