I'm confused

Hi bethia,

I can't offer much advice as I'm new to this too. I bought an ebook on amazon for 2.99! And it helped me understand the diet a bit more.

It's called "The Diverticulitis Diet: It's Time to Start Feeling Better!" by Kris Hammond

Another inexpensive book is: "The Diverticulitis Diet Guide" by Monika Shah

Check them out on amazon. They are pretty good reads

They never seem to fill us in on the do s and don't I have just guessed certain things have made me worse.i was told basically during a flare up don't have laxitves or any of the good stuff you normally eat fruit etc but to stick to clear soup jelly ice lollies and when not in a flare up eat fruit veg etc but avoid red meat etc nuts etc chew until broken up

The firtst thing you need to do is rest the bowel. Go on a clear liquid diet for 2/3days and rest -stay in bed if possible. The introduce solids slowly with easily digested liw fibre food ( you can find low fibre diets online) . Avoid NSAID pain killers like Ibuprofen as they make the condition worse. Chew food very thoroughly and drink lots of water. When you recover you need to keep a food diary to see what foods trigger twinges. Insoluble fibre found i wholegrain products can make things worse if eaten in large quantities as they produce larger stools that distend the colon. The soluble fibre in fruit and veg is better. I find that probiotics , turmeric and aloe vera juice helps.

If you are diabetic you know no sugar. I am not and still went sugar free in everything and personally felt better when I also did not have natural sugars either as those antibiotics (two courses also) affect yeast growth and sugar feeds them.  If you are off antibiotics hopefully the doctor suggested probiotics specific to the gut and large bowel.  It may take a week or two to progress. I ate one food at a time and then wait so you can see how you react even though it seemed I eat every two hours.  FOr a few weeks eggs, chicken, avacado, cooked seedless zucchini, celery and a little rice and g free pasta work well for me along with 4 bottles of water a day.  My splurge?  Sugar free pudding.  But six weeks out I am now trying more vegies.  Go slow, keep a food diary and see how you react to each food as you eat one at a time.  Healthy sugar free eating is possible those first few weeks!

I not sure how to use forum and useless on computers but I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who me by explaining so much to me, I will do more research on this and many others things you have told me I appreciate it very much indeed and I hope I have managed to get this on forum too. Thank you all kindly

Sounds like my doctor!! He was never really forthcoming on how I should manage this but stay away from popcorn, corn, fruits with seeds, veggies w seeds and nuts!! So, I started a food diary. Everything I put in my mouth I documented and if it didn't agree with me, I stopped eating it. I got on a good probiotic, I bought a Nutra Bullet and started juicing. I stay away from red meat, make sure my veggies are cooked and chew everything slowly! If I feel my left side start getting achy I do all liquids for a day or two, then start bland for a couple days. Having this is manageable! Keep your spirits up!!!

Hi Bethia

I've had Diverticular Disease for 15 years and also have to follow a low sugar/carb diet, as I control my blood sugar with diet.  I've read all your replies and the one thing that helped me has not been mentioned here.  My diet nurse suggested I cut out gluten from my diet, as far as possible.  I switched to gluten free bread, pasta and other sugar/gluten free products, plus reduced my portion sizes.  I am mostly pain and bloat free, but when I do occasionally have gluten, I pay for it within a few hours.  I also take a daily liquid natural fibre supplement, Fybogel.  Otherwise I mostly stick to the advice offered here - lots of fluids, daily probiotics, grilled or baked chicken or fish (not fried), steamed rice.  I make a lot of vegetable soup, which I blend, plus eat puree vegetables as a mash, like carrot, swede, parsnips and potatoes, so I get my good fibre that way.  I have learned to recognise what causes a flare up by trial and error.

As for feeling better, the antibiotics do knock the stuffing out of you even after stopping them.  It does take time but you should slowly start feeling better and regain your energy.  The pain can linger on for a time, slowly reducing as your insides heal.  I learned what actions triggered the pain - in my case it was bending over in certain directions for things like housework and gardening, so I now take extra care.  I also try and do gentle exercise like walking in my local woods every day.

I find I can live a normal life now I have worked out the changes to my lifestyle and diet and I hope you can too.