The Diet Factor

Once diverticula have formed, a person is more at risk for developing an infection, so diet changes can help prevent the condition from developing and prevent future outbreaks. Roughly 75 percent of people who develop diverticulitis can manage their symptoms with rest, dietary changes and antibiotics, and these changes can help prevent future flare-ups of the disease. There are many dietary items that should be introduced to ease diverticulitis symptoms.

Specifically, a person who has these pouches will want to build up to regular levels of fiber in his or her daily dietary intake -- roughly 25 to 30 grams. Because the rapid introduction of fiber can lead to gas and bloating, it’s important that this lifestyle change happens gradually.

Probiotics are also important for diverticulitis sufferers, as they increase the levels of healthy bacteria in the gut, which have been found to be significantly lower in patients with this condition. L. acidophilus is one of the most common probiotics and can be found in many food products or as supplements in health food stores.

There are also several foods that doctors advise their patients to avoid because they can aggravate their diverticulitis. Among these foods:

Sugars (Even Natural Sugars)

Sugary foods and sodas should be avoided altogether by patients suffering from diverticulitis. These foods can cause gas and bloating, which can further aggravate symptoms. They can, along with yeast, encourage the growth of unhealthy digestive bacteria, which can lead to a bowel infection or encourage infection in the tears that form in the diverticula.

Dairy Products

If you have diverticulitis, you should avoid whole milk, non-dairy creamers and whipped cream because it contains coconut or palm oils. Diverticulitis patients can consume skim milk and low-fat yogurt, but should limit their use of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, butter, cottage cheese and margarine. While most dairy products are easily digested and can be tolerated well, even in people with this condition, it’s important to discuss your dietary limitations with your doctor and come up with a personalized plan that outlines how much dairy you can or should consume.