Diverticular disease usually forms in the gastro intestinal tract especially in the colon. Small pockets or sacs are formed on the colon walls where the cells are weak and in narrower areas particularly in the sigmoid colon. A low fiber diet causes diverticular disease. An infection or inflammation in the diverticula is called diverticulitis.
Taking a lot of processed food lowers fiber intake and this leads to diverticular disease. This disease is common in developed countries like the United States, Australia and England. Asians and Africans eat a high fiber diet and they are not much affected by this disease.
Fruits, vegetables and whole grains have a lot of fiber that the body cannot digest, these fibers can be converted as soluble fibers with the help of water. The fiber that dissolves in water is called soluble fiber and they help in preventing constipation. They soften the stools and so they pass out easily.
But when you are suffering from diverticulitis it is recommended not to take high fiber food. Diverticulitis diet should contain a lot of fluids like strained juice, soups and water is good. Refined bread, muffins and buns, arrowroot biscuits, water crackers, cereals like cornflakes and rice bubbles, white rice, stone fruits, melons and grapes can be taken. Diverticulitis diet must include vegetables like beetroot, celery, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, eggplant, mushrooms, capsicum, green beans, potatoes without skin, squash, zucchini and alfalfa sprouts. Well cooked meat, fish and eggs can be eaten by a diverticular patient.
Diverticulitis diet should not contain whole grain foods, high fiber vegetables, nuts and seeds. Continuing a liquid diet may lead to weakness as it does not contain enough nutrients. So your doctor will change you to normal diet as soon as you can tolerate it. First start with a low fiber diet and then gradually change to a high fiber diet so that diverticulitis does not recur.