In this blog post, I am going to provide a list of diverticulitis dinner ideas that are both easy to prepare and hopefully help to soothe your symptoms.
My Diverticulitis Journey
Diverticulitis can be a challenging and painful condition, but it doesn’t have to mean sacrificing delicious and satisfying meals. As someone who has lived with diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for years, I understand the importance of finding a balance between managing symptoms and enjoying food. That’s why I’ve taken it upon myself to create a collection of tasty and nutritious dinner ideas that cater to those with diverticulitis.
At the heart of these recipes is a focus on ingredients that are easy on the digestive system and recommended by health experts like the Mayo Clinic.
From fiber-rich vegetables to lean protein sources and healthy fats, these dishes provide the nourishment your body needs to fight diverticulitis and maintain overall gut health. So, whether you’re looking to add variety to your dinner routine or simply need inspiration for your next diverticulitis-friendly dinner, grab a fork and knife and let’s dive in.
As a write this, I am currently experiencing some severe abdominal pain as part of a flare up. My doctor prescsribed Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole. He also prescribed an Oxycodone, which I probably won’t take. I have not had normal bowel movements over the past few days so I will heed the advice of my doctor and stick to a clear liquid diet over the next few days.
Before we get into my diverticulitis dinner ideas, let’s review a few basics.
What is Diverticulitis Anyways?
Diverticulitis is a condition in which small bulging sacs or small pockets (diverticula) in the wall of the colon become inflamed or infected. The diverticula develop in these small pouches as a result of weak spots in the colon wall, which bulge out and form sac-like structures. The cause of these weak spots is not fully understood but it may be due to a low-fiber diet, which can lead to increased pressure within the colon.
When the diverticula become inflamed, it can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and a change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation. In severe cases, the inflammation can lead to infection, perforation of the colon, or bleeding. If left untreated, diverticulitis can result in complications such as abscess formation, bowel obstruction, and fistulas (abnormal connections) between the colon and other organs.
The diagnosis of diverticulitis is usually made through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests such as CT scans or colonoscopy. Treatment for diverticulitis may include antibiotics to clear up any infection, changes in diet to promote healing, and in severe cases, surgery to remove the affected portion of the colon. A high-fiber diet and regular physical activity can help to prevent the development of diverticulitis and manage symptoms in those who have already been diagnosed. However, a high fiber diet is NOT recommended if you are dealing with diverticulitis flare up. Consider of the low-fiber diverticulitis dinner ideas below instead.
🍽️ Related: 17 Healthy Diverticulitis Breakfast Ideas
Types of Foods to Eat
There is a lot of mixed data out there as to whether clear liquid, low fiber, or high fiber diet is best for a diverticulitis flare up. The best diet for you will depend on your own situation, risk factors for complications, and any health conditions you may have. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional before you start on any diet modifiications based on what is here.
Clear Liquids to Enjoy with Diverticulitis
If you are experiencing extreme symptoms (e.g., pain) from diverticilitis, your doctor or heath care practitioner will likely recommend a clear liquid /low fiber diet for at least a few days. Certainly, a clear liquid diet is not rife with options for diverticulitis dinner ideas but still to it and you can enjoy some better food in a few days.
These types of foods include:
- Broth
- Fruit juices without pulp (e.g. apple juice)
- Ice chips
- Ice pops without bits of fruit or fruit pulp
- Gelatin
- Water
- Tea or coffee without cream
Low Fiber Foods to Eat with Diverticulitis
In the aftermath of a diverticulitis flare up the following low-fiber foods are recommended:
Note: It is important to note that these foods do not prevent diverticulitis per se, rather they can help to soothe your belly in the aftermath of a flare up or during a more mild flare up that does not require a clear-liquid-only diet. You can use any combination of these to come up with your own diverticulitis dinner ideas or continue on for some meal plans.
Here is a list of low-fiber foods to eat with diverticulitis (as recommended by Mayo Clinic):
- Canned fruits without skin or seeds (e.g. peaches, pears)
- Canned vegetables without skin (e.g. green beans, carrots, potatoes)
- Eggs
- Fish (e.g. salmon, cod)
- Poultry (e.g. chicken, turkey)
- Refined white bread
- Fruit and vegetable juice without pulp (e.g. apple juice, tomato juice)
- Low-fiber cereals (e.g. Rice Krispies)
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- White rice
- Pasta
- Noodles.
🍽️ Related: Low-Fiber Diet: 25 Foods To Eat & 31 to Avoid
Foods to Avoid with Diverticulitis
Whether exploring diverticulitis dinner ideas or just trying to figure out what to eat with a flare up, avoid these foods:
- High-fiber foods (e.g. whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes)
- Fried and processed foods
- High-fat meats
- Spicy foods
- Alcohol
- Carbonated drinks
- Caffeine
- Popcorn
- Nuts and seeds with tough shells
- Dairy products (for those with lactose intolerance)
As noted here at WebMD, there is some conflicting information out there.
“In the past, doctors had recommended that people with diverticular disease (diverticulosis or diverticulitis) avoid hard-to-digest foods such as nuts, corn, popcorn, and seeds, for fear that these foods would get stuck in the diverticula and lead to inflammation. However, recent research has noted that there is no real scientific evidence to back up this recommendation.”
However, depending on where you are at in the progression of diverticulitis symptoms, your healthcare provider might actually recommend a high fiber diet, including fiber supplements to help ward off the diverticulitis attack.
The list of meal plans below is the best I could come up with based on extensive research across both schools of thought.
General Principals
When considering diveticulitis dinner ideas, here are some general things to think about:
- If fiber is recommended, limit your grams of fiber to the amount specified by your health care professional.
- Graduate from clear liquids to solid foods, once your doctor gives you approval to more to the next phase of the diverticulitis diet.
- Make sure you drink enough water especially if you have acute diverticulitis
- Limit the amount of red meat you consume.
- Limit the amount of rice and insoluble fiber.
- Avoid any specific foods that have increased your risk of diverticulitis in the past.
Diverticulitis Dinner Ideas
The following diverticulitis dinner ideas are based on the low fiber diet foods dietary guidelines recommended by Mayo Clinic.
#1 – Grilled chicken with white rice and steamed carrots
#2 – Baked cod with mashed potatoes and green beans
#3 – Scrambled eggs with toast and fruit juice
#4 – Tomato soup with crackers and a grilled cheese sandwich
#5 – Turkey and cheese sandwich on white bread with fruit jelly
#6 – Fried rice with scrambled eggs and cooked carrots
#7 – Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and cooked carrots
#8 – Broiled salmon with white rice and cooked green beans
#9 – Chicken noodle soup with crackers and a turkey sandwich
#10 – Creamy pasta with cooked chicken and canned pears for dessert
#11 – Baked potatoes with cheese, eggs, and a fruit juice
#12 – Chicken stir-fry with white rice and cooked carrots
#13 – Baked chicken with mashed potatoes and cooked corn
#14 – Broiled fish with white rice and cooked carrots, served with fruit-flavored gelatin for dessert.
#15 – Grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup and ice chips for dessert
#16 – Tuna salad sandwich on white bread with fruit juice
#17 – Baked chicken with white rice and cooked carrots, served with fruit-flavored gelatin for dessert
#18 – Fried chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans
#19 – Creamed spinach and scrambled eggs with toast
#20 – Baked ham with white rice and cooked carrots
#21 – Beef stew with white bread and fruit jelly for dessert
#22 – Grilled steak with mashed potatoes and cooked green beans
#23 – Tomato basil soup with a turkey and cheese sandwich on white bread
#24 – Baked salmon with white rice and steamed carrots, served with fruit-flavored gelatin for dessert
#25 – Broiled pork chops with mashed potatoes and cooked carrots
#26 – Chicken alfredo pasta with canned peaches for dessert
#27 – Chicken fajitas with white rice and cooked green beans
#28 – Beef stir-fry with white rice and cooked carrots, served with fruit-flavored gelatin for dessert
#29 – Scrambled eggs with white toast and fruit juice, served with fruit-flavored gelatin for dessert.
#30 – Grilled chicken salad with white toast and fruit juice
#31 – Baked tilapia with white rice and cooked carrots
#32 – Chicken noodle soup with crackers and a turkey sandwich on white bread
#33 – Creamy chicken and mushroom pasta with canned fruit for dessert
#34 – Fried chicken with mashed potatoes and steamed green beans
#35 – Beef and vegetable soup with white bread and fruit jelly for dessert
#36 – Grilled beef with white rice and cooked carrots
#37 – Baked pork chops with mashed potatoes and green beans
#38 – Scrambled eggs with white toast and canned fruit for dessert
#39 – Baked salmon with white rice and cooked carrots, served with fruit-flavored gelatin for dessert.
Diverticulitis Dinner Ideas: Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s important to remember that everyone’s dietary needs are different, especially when it comes to managing a condition like diverticulitis.
It’s best to consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian for personalized recommendations and which of these diverticulitis dinner ideas are right for you. The list of low-fiber foods and diverticulitis dinner ideas provided here are based on recommendations from Mayo Clinic and are meant to serve as a general guide. It’s important to note that initially, medical professionals may recommend a clear liquid diet for 2-3 days before gradually introducing low-fiber foods.
With careful planning and consideration, it is possible to enjoy satisfying and delicious meals while managing the symptoms of diverticulitis. Drink plenty of water! I wish the best of luck with your digestive tract.
