Diverticular disease is when you have small pouches or sacs in your colon (large intestine) and they cause you to have symptoms. One of these symptoms is when the pouches become inflamed. This is called diverticulitis. 

Some people have pouches in their colon without any symptoms. This is called diverticulosis. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of diverticular disease can include: 

• Moderate to severe bleeding from the rectum
• Diverticulitis

Signs of diverticulitis include:

• Pain or tenderness in the abdomen, usually on the lower left side
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever

Depending on your symptoms, your health care provider may recommend that you:

• Eat a regular diet
• Follow a special diet for a short period of time, such as a low-fibre or liquid diet. Once your symptoms improve, you can gradually return to a regular diet

Have a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and other fibre-rich foods every day. You do not need to avoid nuts, seeds or foods with seeds, such as berries or tomatoes.

Eating red meat and consuming alcohol may increase your risk of diverticular disease.

Fibre

Fibre may help lower the risk of: 

• Developing pouches in the walls of the colon
• Having pouches that become inflamed

Adding too much fibre all at once can cause gas and bloating. To avoid this, increase your fibre intake slowly while drinking plenty of fluids. 

Fibre supplements

It’s unclear if fibre supplements can help prevent diverticulitis. Common fibre supplements include psyllium, inulin and methylcellulose. If you find it hard to eat enough fibre, discuss the use of supplements with your health care provider or a dietitian.

Red meat

If you eat red meat, have it in smaller amounts or less often. Eating red meat may increase the risk of diverticular disease. 

Instead of red meat, have plant-based proteins or other animal proteins such as:

• Poultry, fish, shellfish
• Beans, peas, lentils
• Tofu and other soy foods like dried bean curd sticks, soybeans, edamame, tempeh
• Eggs
• Lower fat milk, yogurt, cheese
• Nuts, seeds, nut and seed butters 

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of diverticulosis. According to Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health, no amount or kind of alcohol is good for your health. 

If you drink alcohol, consider limiting to one to 2 standard drinks per week as a lower risk option. Discuss with your health care provider to learn more.