How is a diverticulosis diet different from a regular diet?
A diverticulosis diet is basically a high-fiber diet. A regular diet should also be high in fiber. However, a typical American diet contains far less fiber than is considered healthy. The goal of a diverticulosis diet is to increase the amount of fiber in your diet. The average American diet includes only about 12 to 15 grams (g) of fiber a day. Doctors recommend a total of 20 to 35 grams of dietary fiber per day. You should increase the fiber in your diet gradually. Increasing it too quickly can cause abdominal gas and diarrhea. The increase of fiber should help the passage of digested food through your intestine. It will allow more normal bowel movements and reduce abdominal pain. In addition to increasing fiber in your diet, you should avoid eating foods that may get stuck in the diverticula, such as popcorn, raisins, whole-kernel corn, and peanuts.
