Gut Health Focus
Diverticulitis - What should the diet be like?
Bruna Barbosa
November 7, 2025
3 min read
24 views
See also: #guthealth, #weightloss-and-satiety, #detox-and-reeducation, #functional-nutrition
Patients with diverticulitis are more commonly constipated, which requires special attention. When...
Diverticular Disease: Understanding Risk Factors and the Importance of Nutrition 🥗
Throughout life, it is common to develop diverticula (diverticulosis), small pouches that form in the intestinal wall, especially in people with inadequate eating habits and low fiber intake. When these diverticula cause symptoms, we progress to diverticular disease, which requires continuous care and lifestyle changes.
1️⃣ Risk Factors for Diverticular Disease 🚭
Some of the main risk factors for developing diverticular-related diseases include:
Smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of inflammation in the digestive tract.
Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of physical activity impairs intestinal transit.
Low fiber intake: Diets low in fiber are directly linked to constipation.
Age: Aging makes the intestinal wall more prone to diverticula formation.
Excess red meat: This type of protein is associated with increased intestinal inflammation.
Obesity: Excess weight is linked to a higher risk of diverticular complications.
2️⃣ How Can Nutrition Help? 🥗
Nutritional treatment plays an essential role in both the prevention and management of diverticulitis. Dietary strategies include:
Reducing consumption of red meat and processed meats, opting for lean proteins such as fish and poultry;
Consuming at least 35 ml of water per kg of body weight daily to prevent constipation;
Including fiber in the diet through whole grains, fruits, and fresh vegetables;
Maintaining a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 30, reducing the risks related to obesity;
Practicing regular physical activity to stimulate intestinal transit;
Not ignoring bowel movement reflexes, creating a routine to avoid stool accumulation.
3️⃣ Plant-Based Diet and Low FODMAP Diet 🌱
A valuable suggestion for patients with diverticulitis is to include plant-based days, removing animal-based proteins a few times a week. This contributes to reducing inflammation and improving the intestinal microbiota. In cases of frequent pain, a low FODMAP diet can be an excellent alternative, as it helps reduce discomfort and hypersensitivity in the intestinal tract.
Practical tip: Avoid long periods without bowel movements to prevent the accumulation of feces in the intestine.
4️⃣ The Importance of Nutritional Monitoring 📊
Given this scenario, monitoring by a nutritionist is essential. A professional can adjust the consumption of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), ensuring a balanced diet that meets the patient's specific needs. B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc are some important nutrients for intestinal health.
Practical tip: Add probiotics to your diet, such as natural yogurts and kefir, to strengthen your gut microbiota.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing symptoms related to diverticulitis, or know someone who needs this guidance, this content may be useful. Caring for your gut health is essential for a balanced and discomfort-free life.
Bruna Barbosa
Nutritionist – CRN-DF 16963
Specializing in Functional Nutrition, Phytotherapy, and Digestive Health, Dr. Bruna helps people understand their symptoms and transform their health starting from the gut, based on scientific evidence, empathy, and clinical practice.
With a strong focus on evidence-based nutritional education, Bruna produces accessible and well-founded content to guide more conscious, safe, and sustainable choices. Maintaining her commitment to professional ethics, clarity, and scientific excellence, she promotes real health in a personalized and responsible way.
Throughout life, it is common to develop diverticula (diverticulosis), small pouches that form in the intestinal wall, especially in people with inadequate eating habits and low fiber intake. When these diverticula cause symptoms, we progress to diverticular disease, which requires continuous care and lifestyle changes.
1️⃣ Risk Factors for Diverticular Disease 🚭
Some of the main risk factors for developing diverticular-related diseases include:
Smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of inflammation in the digestive tract.
Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of physical activity impairs intestinal transit.
Low fiber intake: Diets low in fiber are directly linked to constipation.
Age: Aging makes the intestinal wall more prone to diverticula formation.
Excess red meat: This type of protein is associated with increased intestinal inflammation.
Obesity: Excess weight is linked to a higher risk of diverticular complications.
2️⃣ How Can Nutrition Help? 🥗
Nutritional treatment plays an essential role in both the prevention and management of diverticulitis. Dietary strategies include:
Reducing consumption of red meat and processed meats, opting for lean proteins such as fish and poultry;
Consuming at least 35 ml of water per kg of body weight daily to prevent constipation;
Including fiber in the diet through whole grains, fruits, and fresh vegetables;
Maintaining a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 30, reducing the risks related to obesity;
Practicing regular physical activity to stimulate intestinal transit;
Not ignoring bowel movement reflexes, creating a routine to avoid stool accumulation.
3️⃣ Plant-Based Diet and Low FODMAP Diet 🌱
A valuable suggestion for patients with diverticulitis is to include plant-based days, removing animal-based proteins a few times a week. This contributes to reducing inflammation and improving the intestinal microbiota. In cases of frequent pain, a low FODMAP diet can be an excellent alternative, as it helps reduce discomfort and hypersensitivity in the intestinal tract.
Practical tip: Avoid long periods without bowel movements to prevent the accumulation of feces in the intestine.
4️⃣ The Importance of Nutritional Monitoring 📊
Given this scenario, monitoring by a nutritionist is essential. A professional can adjust the consumption of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), ensuring a balanced diet that meets the patient's specific needs. B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc are some important nutrients for intestinal health.
Practical tip: Add probiotics to your diet, such as natural yogurts and kefir, to strengthen your gut microbiota.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing symptoms related to diverticulitis, or know someone who needs this guidance, this content may be useful. Caring for your gut health is essential for a balanced and discomfort-free life.
Bruna Barbosa
Nutritionist – CRN-DF 16963
Specializing in Functional Nutrition, Phytotherapy, and Digestive Health, Dr. Bruna helps people understand their symptoms and transform their health starting from the gut, based on scientific evidence, empathy, and clinical practice.
With a strong focus on evidence-based nutritional education, Bruna produces accessible and well-founded content to guide more conscious, safe, and sustainable choices. Maintaining her commitment to professional ethics, clarity, and scientific excellence, she promotes real health in a personalized and responsible way.
