For Diverticulitis flare ups, your physician may recommend a low-fiber diet.
Low-fiber dieting will include foods like fruits veggies, grains, beans, lean protein and milk for patients with diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis and diverticulosis are two different stages of the same colon condition and you should partner with your physician on how to manage it with dieting and lifestyle changes.
Quick Checklist
Phase 1: Flare-Up (Active Pain or Fever)
Goal: Complete bowel rest to reduce inflammation.
Duration: 1 to 2 days (follow your doctor’s instructions)
However, research suggests that a low-fiber diet may contribute to harder, drier stools. This can increase pressure in the colon and may lead to the formation of small bulging pouches.
Diverticulosis (No Inflammation)
If you have diverticulosis without diverticulitis, a high-fiber diet is usually recommended.
Fiber helps by:
Softening stool
Adding bulk to stool
Making bowel movements easier
Reducing constipation
Lowering pressure in the colon
These benefits may help reduce the risk of complications like diverticulitis.
When Diverticulitis Develops
If diverticulitis occurs, your physician may recommend a temporary low-fiber diet along with other treatments.
Common symptoms include:
Nausea or vomiting
Fever
Abdominal pain or tenderness
Constipation
Sometimes diarrhea
Mild cases are often treated with:
Antibiotics
Rest
A low-fiber diet (initially clear liquids, then gradual food reintroduction as symptoms improve)
Always follow guidance from a medical professional for personalized care.
Foods to Eat & Drink During a Diverticulitis Flare Up
During active diverticulitis, follow a low-fiber diet to reduce colon strain.
Start with clear liquids for 1–2 days:
Water (plain or carbonated)
Clear fat-free broth
Pulp-free fruit juice
Coffee or tea without milk
Gelatin and ice pops without fruit
Sports drinks
Add low-fiber foods gradually:
White rice, crackers, pasta, bread
Skinless potatoes and low-fiber cereals
Meat, eggs, tofu, seafood
Canned or soft fruits like applesauce, peaches, pears, ripe bananas, or melon
View top of page for a full list of foods to eat during flareup.
What to Drink
Your diet starts with only clear liquids for a few days. Examples of clear liquid diet include:
Broth (clear, fat-free)
Coffee (without milk or cream)
Fruit juice without pulp
Gelatin
Ice chips
Ice pops without fruit or pulp
Sports drinks
Tea (without milk or cream)
Water (plain or carbonated)
Other Treatment Options
If you have been diagnosed with diverticulitis, leaving the condition untreated can cause serious health complications.
Mild Cases:
Clear liquid diet
Stool softeners
Antibiotics
Severe Cases:
IV antibiotics
Drainage of abscesses
Surgery (bowel resection or colostomy)
Early treatment is crucial to prevent serious complications.
What Is Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of small pouches (called diverticula) that form in the digestive tract, most commonly in the lower colon.
Diverticulosis (the presence of these pouches) is common in adults over 40 and often causes no symptoms. Problems occur when these pouches become inflamed or infected.
Over 30% of U.S. adults ages 50–59 have diverticulosis
Over 70% of adults over age 80 have it
Fewer than 5% of cases develop into diverticulitis
Signs and Symptoms of Diverticulitis
You may experience:
Persistent lower left abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Abdominal tenderness
Constipation
Diarrhea (less common)
Tips for Prevent Diverticulitis
Dietary changes can offer much-needed relief, but there have been many rumors over the years about which foods to avoid. For instance, eating popcorn and seeds was once thought to trigger a flare up, but there is no medical evidence to back up this claim.
Because constipation often contributes to the development of diverticula, diverticulitis is often more severe in patients experiencing chronic constipation. That said, a low-fiber diet may cause a flare up. Adding fiber and foods like these can help soften the stool and allow its easy passage through the GI tract:
Fruits and vegetables
Legumes (beans, lentils, nuts, etc.)
Whole grains
Contrary to old myths, popcorn and seeds do not cause diverticulitis.
When to Seek Medical Care
Contact a GI specialist if you experience ongoing abdominal pain with fever, nausea, or changes in bowel habits.
Charleston GI is here to help patients in Charleston, SC with evaluation and treatment options tailored to your condition.
It’s Never Too Early For Prevention at Charleston GI
If you are experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, or fever, you may be having a diverticulitis flare up. Here at Charleston GI, our board-certified gastroenterologists are experienced in treating a wide variety of conditions – including diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
We have four convenient Charleston area locations to choose from, in West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and Carnes Crossroads. Charleston GI doctors are ready 5 days a week to offer you medical relief.
Mayo Clinic: Diverticulitis Diet. A comprehensive clinical guide breakdown explaining why clear liquids are essential during active micro-perforations and when it is medically appropriate to ease back into a low-residue eating plan.
Johns Hopkins Medicine: Diverticular Disease. Insights into the anatomical differences between asymptomatic pouches (diverticulosis) and an active colon infection (diverticulitis), highlighting modern data regarding popcorn, nuts, and seeds.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Diverticular Disease. A peer-reviewed resource outlining standard adult fiber targets (25g−35g daily) and mapping out systemic colon hydration requirements.
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS): Diverticular Disease Clinical Practice Guidelines. Evidence-based surgical and medical parameters detailing the treatment pathways for mild vs. complicated attacks, abscess management, and clinical bowel rest.
Learn More
If you are working to resolve chronic constipation or want to build a better strategy for long-term digestive wellness, explore these patient resources:
Harvard Health Publishing: Fiber Fuel: Choosing the Right Carbs for Colon Health. An online medical index breaking down how soluble vs. insoluble fibers interact with the gut microbiome to lower structural tracking tension in the large intestine.
Consult a Local Board-Certified Gastroenterologist: Attempting to self-diagnose an active flare-up using dietary adjustments alone can increase the risk of intestinal complications. If you are experiencing left-sided abdominal pain or fever, connect with Charleston GI to book an appointment. Our board-certified gastroenterologists across the Lowcountry are available 5 days a week to help build your path to lasting relief. No referral needed.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice or create a physician-patient relationship. Dietary and treatment recommendations for diverticulitis vary by individual. Always follow your healthcare provider’s guidance. Outcomes are not guaranteed.
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