Low Residue/Fiber Diet for Diverticulitis
Low Residue/Low-Fiber Diets
Immediately after your liquid diet therapy, you are advised to follow a low residue or low-fiber diet. A low residue diet limits the amount of dietary fiber and residue-providing food in your diet. Following a low residue diet is generally limited to one or two weeks. We recommend that you discuss your specific timeline for low residue diet with your physician.
Beverages
Allowed
Coffee, tea (Calming Blends Diverticulitis Tea), decaf coffee and tea, cocoa, carbonated beverages, fruit flavored drinks without pulp.
Limit Consumption
Any beverages containing foods not allowed; alcoholic beverages
Breads and Cereals
Allowed
Refined white, light wheat or rye bread and rolls; saltines, or soda crackers. All refined, cooked and ready-to-eat cereals (oats, wheat and rice) such as Wheat hearts, Malt-O-Meal, Special K®, Cheerios®, Post Toasties.
Limit Consumption
Rolls with nuts, seeds, coconut or fruit not allowed; bread containing cracked wheat particles or whole seeds; coarse, dry cereals; any with bran or raisins. Graham crackers, corn bread.
Soups
Allowed
Creamed soups with puréed or whole allowed vegetables; strained vegetable soups or chowders, meat or fish broths. See a sample recipe – Beef & Vegetable Soup.
Limit Consumption
Highly seasoned soups or those containing ingredients other than on the allowed list.
Desserts
Allowed
All plain puddings, custards, tapioca, gelatin desserts, fruit whips, smooth ice cream, fruit ice, plain sherbet, yogurt, cake and cookies.
Limit Consumption
Rich pastry or cakes. Those with nuts, seeds, raisins, coconut, dates or fruits not allowed.
Eggs
Allowed
Eggs
Limit Consumption
Egg dishes prepared with ingredients not allowed.
Fruits and Fruit Juices
Allowed
Fruit juice without pulp. Canned: applesauce, cherries, fruit cocktail, peaches Fresh: bananas, cherries, grapefruit, melon, nectarine, peaches, plum
Limit Consumption
Fresh: pineapple, pears, apples, apricot, avocado, berries, mango, pear, dried dates, figs, prunes, raisins
Meat or Meat substitute
Allowed
Tender, broiled, stewed or creamed, roast beef, veal, lamb, pork, ham, poultry, fish, chopped clams, oysters, liver, kidneys; Cream cheese, cottage, American, cheddar, Swiss or jack cheese, smooth peanut butter.
Limit Consumption
Fried meats, fish or poultry; meats highly seasoned or containing whole spices; sausage, frankfurters. Strong cheeses or those containing seeds. Dried beans or peas, chunky peanut butter.
Vegetables and Vegetable Juice
Allowed
Cooked or canned artichoke hearts, asparagus, beets, carrots, chard, green and wax beans, bean sprouts, mushrooms, pimento, pumpkin. Fresh and cooked tomato (no seeds or skins), stewed, pastes, purees. Tomato juice. Limit vegetables to 2 servings/ per day.
Limit Consumption
All other raw, strongly flavored vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, summer squash, okra, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, rutabagas, turnips, onions, corn, baked beans). All others not listed as allowed.
Sample Daily Low Residue Meal Plan*
Breakfast
- ½ cup fruit juice
- 1 egg
- ½ cup cereal or 2 slices enriched white toast
- 1 tsp. butter, avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 cup low-fat milk
Lunch
- 2 slices enriched white bread
- 2 oz. meat
- ½ cup vegetable
- 1 tsp. butter, avocado oil, olive oil or mayo
- 1 serving fruit or fruit dessert
Dinner
- 3 oz. soft (boiled) meat, trimmed of fat and tough ends
- ½ cup potato or substitute
- ½ cup vegetable
- 1 serving enriched white bread
- 1 tsp. butter, avocado oil, olive oil or mayo
- 1 serving dessert
- 1 cup low-fat milk
*Information adapted from Manual of Clinical Dietetics, American Dietetic Association, 6th Edition, © 2000
Sandra shaw ()
Helps
Jacqueline Y Green ()
Very complete list of what not to eat.
Staci ()
Thank you, it is nice to have this all in one place.
Robyn Colbert ()
This was so helpful and my guide when I was first diagnosed with my attack of DV and this made a huge difference. Thank you for having this posted. I was not sure what to do next.
Rena McAllister-Harris ()
Thank you for this much needed information. This is new to me and I am searching for information that will teach me how to address this diverticulitis. Again thank you.
Angela Turley ()
Thank you for the info and ideas
Calming Blends ()
Hi Angela,
We hope you find the information helpful.
Thank you
Thelma ()
A very useful guide for a caregiver. Thank you so much.
Fannie L Smith ()
Thanks,just diagnosed so helpful.
Rashmi gautam ()
Found this information extremely useful…
T T ()
This is amazing, all in one place. Thank you so much. Day one of trying the tea. Enjoyed reading all the positive reviews.
Had a bad flare up from diverc… still not 100% . Found out last year via my colonoscopy I had pockets… just last month had a bad flare up. Went to ER, took antibiotics. I am afraid to eat anything. Feel symptoms coming back. I will keep this tea with me, one at home one at work by my side. Do not wish this pain on anyone.
Thank you!
Calming Blends ()
Happy to hear you find the information useful. Hope you feel better soon.
Maryanne Felici ()
Very thorough! Thanks for all the info. Thank you very much.
Calming Blends ()
You are welcome Maryanne. Hope our information was helpful!
Kathy Gassen ()
Thank you for great lists. I just had to have DVD surgery two weeks ago and am using lists for transition until I can go back to semi high fiber diet.
Calming Blends ()
Thank you for your comment Kathy. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Gary Bourne ()
Good list. I have had DV for 25 years . Four hospital trips. Constant vigalence is best defense, even then it will happen for no reason.
Jean Renkin ()
Have been reading the reviews i found all the information on your advice really grt will try the tea as well and watch what my diet appreciate the help 😊
Joe ()
This has been amazingly helpful. I appreciate you sharing this menu.
Judi landry ()
I ordered the Calming Blend booklet 11 years ago when I was first diagnosed with diverticulitis. It’s a great booklet and now I came across this info on line that continues to help with what to do to heal the problem as Iam dealing with another attack after going 2 plus years not having one. Being this disease is on going , staying aware of what to eat is so vital but it can return with the snap of the fingers. Thank you Calming Blends for all the information you share! It’s most helpful.
Ellie ()
Thank you! Just had my very first flare up and was discharged from hospital with no information about Diverticulitis whatsoever other than to eat a high fibre diet, but no one said I needed to eat low residue for a period of time or what I should/shouldn’t eat when, so this has been really helpful.
Rich ()
Thanks for the information, I’m new to this and the terrible pain it brings, some of the food I was eating was not good and brought more pain thanks for being so helpful God bless you
Kristine Campbell ()
Great information. Just had my first flare up which sent me to ER. Terrible! Now along with my Dr I have found guidance. Thanks again.
PATTI DELGADO ()
Thankyou so much. Still recovering from flareup. Spent an afternoon in urgent care. No info whatsoever what to eat and not. Thanks again!!!
Lynn Trevaskiss ()
I have had this for about 10 years. Having a mild flare up after 2 years no fun stay on liquid diet for a few days to give your bowel a rest and take meds eat lightly after that for a couple of weeks and just watch your diet after no seeds,nuts,corn
Sarah D ()
I noticed potatoes aren’t on here anywhere. Are they to be avoided or included in this?
Sherrie R Hice ()
So glad these types of foods are listed The Dos an don’t. Are I would only be drinking water an broth
Calming Blends ()
Hi Sherrie,
So glad that the information is helpful to you.
Lynn Smith ()
I was confused at times, but it was still very helpful.
Charles Burrell ()
Thank you for a baseline.
Norma ()
Thank you for this information, it really helps when you have no idea what you can eat after a flare up.
Stephen w ()
Thank you just released from spending a few days in the hospital. Didn’t get much info just said becareful and good luck so this a little bit better
Calming Blends ()
We’re glad to hear you are out of the hospital and hope our website provides the information you need to start your full recovery.
sue walker ()
I live in England and about to order your Calming blends to try out.
PetaJane ()
I had a bad flare up ended in hospital with threatened op for a week ! Treated with antibiotics through a candular and pain killers the same way ! No one tells you what or not to eat so this is so helpful .. Thankyou
Katie M ()
This was so helpful. I did not even know about the DV tea! Ordering now. I don’t think anyone but the people who have DV know the pain and healing process… it stinks!