You may have no symptoms.
However, diverticula can become inflamed or infected.
Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are together known as diverticular disease.
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How Much Fiber Should You Eat With Diverticulosis?
Everyones body is different when it comes to daily fiber intake.
When citing health authorities or research, the terms for sex or gender from the sources are used.
It is often recommended to rest your bowels to allow them to heal.
As symptoms improve, you may gradually add more solid foods to your diet and increase fiber intake.
Do this over several days to a week or two to avoid gastrointestinal (GI) upset.
There are no official recommendations on how much water to drink per day.
Drinking water with meals and snacks and whenever you’re thirsty should help keep you hydrated.
Some health experts recommend eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
However, others recommend more than that.
Water is the best choice of beverage for everyday hydration.
These foods include soups, smoothies, and most fruits and vegetables.
High Fiber Diet Ideas for Diverticulosis
Fiber is found in many plant foods.
Insoluble vs. Soluble Fiber
Soluble fiber and insoluble fiberare two types of fiber.
Both are important for health, but each acts differently within your body.
Many plant foods contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, with some containing more of one than another.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance as it moves throughout your digestive tract.
This helps slow down digestion.
Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water.
It remains mostly whole as it passes through your digestive tract.
This adds bulk to your stool, helping you keep your digestive tract healthy and bowel movements regular.
After your symptoms improve, you may slowly increase the amount of solid food and fiber in your diet.
It was thought these foods might get trapped inside diverticula and cause inflammation, leading to diverticulitis.
However, this has been found to not be the case and is no longer recommended.
There are no specific foods known to trigger diverticulitis flare-ups.
Additionally, no particular diet has been proven to prevent flare-ups.
In addition to whole foods, over-the-counter fiber supplements are available.
However, during a flare-up of diverticulitis, its recommended to follow a low-fiber diet.
After symptoms have improved you may slowly add more fibrous foods to your diet.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition diet diverticular disease.
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Diverticular disease.
Department of Agriculture.Dietary guidelines for Americans 2020-2025.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.
Chan School of Public Health.Water.
Lambeau KV, McRorie JW.Fiber supplements and clinically proven health benefits.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract.
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