Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection of the diverticula, which are small pouches in the large bowel.

Stool or bacteria sometimes become trapped in these pouches, causing a sudden attack of severe abdominal pain.

What can I eat?

While you have symptoms, you may need to follow a low-fibre diet. This will help your infection clear up and allow your large bowel to rest. Avoid high-fibre foods.

Low-fibre food examples

• white bread and toast, including crumpets, bread rolls and other foods made with white flour
• plain biscuits such as rich tea or shortbread
• white pasta, noodles, rice and couscous
• cereals such as Rice Krispies and Corn Flakes
• plain crispbreads and crackers
• limit fruit to two portions a day (a portion of fruit or vegetables is 80g or a handful)
• limit vegetables to two portions a day and avoid beans.

Once your symptoms have improved, you may benefit from a high-fibre diet. Adding fibre to your diet helps reduce the chances of developing symptoms again in the future.

High-fibre food examples

• beans and pulses
• oats, oat bran, barley and ground linseed (flaxseed)
• fruit and vegetables (leave the skins on where possible) – fresh, frozen, canned or dried
• bread, including wholegrain, wholemeal, granary and high-fibre white bread
• cereals, including high-fibre cereals made with wholewheat or bran, porridge and muesli
• jacket potatoes with the skins on
• brown rice and brown pasta
• chapati or naan bread made with wholegrain flour.

Remember to increase your fluid intake as you increase your fibre intake.

If you experience constipation, it is important to increase your fibre intake slowly to avoid bloating and flatulence.

Enjoy a variety of fruit and vegetables. Nuts, seeds, popcorn and small seeds in foods such as strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes and cucumbers have not been proven to cause diverticulitis. They can be enjoyed in moderation.