Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsClear Liquid Diet ExamplesDuration of a Liquid DietPossible RisksIntroducing “Real” Food
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Clear Liquid Diet Examples
Duration of a Liquid Diet
Possible Risks
Introducing “Real” Food
Diverticulitiscan be very uncomfortable. During a diverticulitis flare-up, your healthcare provider may recommend a liquid diet to ease symptoms.
A liquid diet is a temporary strategy to rest the digestive system and lower inflammation in the intestine.A clear liquid diet includes water, broth, fruit juice, gelatin, ice chips, tea, and coffee.
This article discusses a liquid diet for diverticulitis, including when to use it and for how long.
What to Eat If You Have Diverticulitis
SymptomsCommon symptoms of diverticulitis (when bulging pouches in your digestive tract become inflamed) include bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and blood with stool. Treatment of flare-ups usually includes pain medications, antibiotics, and changes in diet.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of diverticulitis (when bulging pouches in your digestive tract become inflamed) include bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and blood with stool. Treatment of flare-ups usually includes pain medications, antibiotics, and changes in diet.
Clear Liquid Diet Examples for Diverticulitis
Clear liquids include:
Avoid any liquids that are not completely clear, for example, dairy milk, nut milk, vegetable juice, and fruit juice with pulp. It’s also important to avoid liquids that can irritate the intestines, such as alcohol and soda.
Clear Liquid Diet
How Long to Do a Liquid Diet for Diverticulitis
Work with your healthcare provider to determine how long to follow a clear liquid diet. Most people experiencing a diverticulitis flare stick to a clear liquid diet for about one to three days.
The exact cause of diverticulitis is unknown, but there are lifestyle factors that raise your risk.Risk factors ofdiverticulosis(when small pouches develop in your digestive tract) and diverticulitis (when those pouches become inflamed) include:A diet rich in red meatA high-fat dietSmokingObesityLack of physical activityEating high-fiber, vegetarian foods may lower the risk of diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
The exact cause of diverticulitis is unknown, but there are lifestyle factors that raise your risk.
Risk factors ofdiverticulosis(when small pouches develop in your digestive tract) and diverticulitis (when those pouches become inflamed) include:
Eating high-fiber, vegetarian foods may lower the risk of diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
A clear liquid diet should not be followed for more than a few days because there are risks. A clear liquid diet does not contain the nutrients and calories you need to function. Consuming only clear liquids can lead to weakness.Talk with your healthcare provider about how long to limit your intake of clear fluids and follow the instructions closely.
If you are following a clear diet for diverticulitis and not noticing an improvement in your symptoms, talk with your healthcare provider if you experience:
Introducing “Real” Food After a Liquid Diet for Diverticulitis
Once you finish your clear liquid diet, the next step is to move on to a low-fiber diet. This will allow your intestines to continue to heal and rest.
Foods included in a low-fiber diet include:
Low to High Fiber
Once your diverticulitis has resolved, talk with your healthcare provider about moving to a high-fiber diet. Research shows that following a high-fiber diet can reduce the risk of experiencing future diverticulitis flares.Moving to a high-fiber diet should be done slowly to avoid abdominal discomfort or increased symptoms.
High-fiber foods to include in your diet include:
The goal of a high-fiber diet is to consume about 25 to 30 grams daily.When you increase your fiber intake, it’s important also to increase your water intake. Otherwise, you may experience uncomfortable cramping and bloating. Increasing physical activity can also help to preventconstipation.
Summary
A clear liquid diet may be used to rest the digestive system and decrease inflammation during a diverticulitis flare. Liquids in a clear liquid diet include water, broth, fruit juice (without pulp), popsicles, gelatin, and tea. Work with your healthcare provider to determine how long to follow a clear liquid diet; do not follow one for more than a few days.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Hospital & Clinics.Low fiber diet for diverticulitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.MedlinePlus.Diverticulitis.UC San Diego Health.Managing diverticulitis through good nutrition.NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for diverticular disease.Strate LL, Keeley BR, Cao Y, Wu K, Giovannucci EL, Chan AT.Western dietary pattern increases, and prudent dietary pattern decreases, risk of incident diverticulitis in a prospective cohort study.Gastroenterology. 2017;152(5):1023-1030.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.12.038National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.UCSF Health.Diverticular disease and diet.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Hospital & Clinics.Low fiber diet for diverticulitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.MedlinePlus.Diverticulitis.UC San Diego Health.Managing diverticulitis through good nutrition.NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for diverticular disease.Strate LL, Keeley BR, Cao Y, Wu K, Giovannucci EL, Chan AT.Western dietary pattern increases, and prudent dietary pattern decreases, risk of incident diverticulitis in a prospective cohort study.Gastroenterology. 2017;152(5):1023-1030.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.12.038National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.UCSF Health.Diverticular disease and diet.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Stanford Hospital & Clinics.Low fiber diet for diverticulitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.MedlinePlus.Diverticulitis.UC San Diego Health.Managing diverticulitis through good nutrition.NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for diverticular disease.Strate LL, Keeley BR, Cao Y, Wu K, Giovannucci EL, Chan AT.Western dietary pattern increases, and prudent dietary pattern decreases, risk of incident diverticulitis in a prospective cohort study.Gastroenterology. 2017;152(5):1023-1030.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.12.038National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.UCSF Health.Diverticular disease and diet.
Stanford Hospital & Clinics.Low fiber diet for diverticulitis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.
MedlinePlus.Diverticulitis.
UC San Diego Health.Managing diverticulitis through good nutrition.
NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for diverticular disease.
Strate LL, Keeley BR, Cao Y, Wu K, Giovannucci EL, Chan AT.Western dietary pattern increases, and prudent dietary pattern decreases, risk of incident diverticulitis in a prospective cohort study.Gastroenterology. 2017;152(5):1023-1030.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.12.038
UCSF Health.Diverticular disease and diet.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
