What is a Low Fiber Diet for Diverticulitis?

October 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Mayo Clinic, a low fiber diet is a temporary measure often recommended for managing mild diverticulitis symptoms. A low fiber diet for diverticulitis restricts the intake of high-fiber foods to reduce bulk in the colon, allowing the inflamed pouches to rest and heal.

Quick Summary

A low fiber diet is a short-term eating plan used during a diverticulitis flare-up to decrease stool volume and lessen digestive irritation. This diet helps rest the inflamed colon by focusing on easily digestible, refined foods before gradually reintroducing fiber.

Key Points

Purpose: A low fiber diet is a short-term treatment for diverticulitis flare-ups, not a long-term solution.
Rest and Heal: Limiting fiber reduces stool volume, which decreases pressure on the colon and allows the inflamed diverticula to heal.
Gradual Progression: The diet starts with clear liquids, progresses to low-fiber foods, and eventually reintroduces high fiber to prevent recurrence.
Allowed Foods: Focus on refined grains, cooked and peeled fruits and vegetables, tender meats, eggs, and smooth dairy if tolerated.
Avoided Foods: Steer clear of whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and raw or high-fiber fruits and vegetables during the flare-up.
Medical Guidance: Always follow the advice of a healthcare provider or dietitian for the appropriate duration and safe reintroduction of fiber.

Understanding Diverticulitis and Dietary Management

Diverticulitis is a painful condition that occurs when small, bulging pouches in the digestive tract, called diverticula, become inflamed or infected. During a flare-up, the primary goal of dietary management is to give the digestive system a chance to rest and recover. This is where a low fiber diet, also known as a low-residue diet, comes into play. By reducing the amount of fiber and undigested material (residue) that passes through the colon, this diet helps reduce bowel movements and irritation.

The Stages of a Diverticulitis Diet

Dietary management for diverticulitis typically progresses in stages, guided by a healthcare professional. The initial stages are the most restrictive, while the later stages focus on reintroducing fiber gradually.

Stage 1: Clear Liquid Diet

In severe cases or at the very beginning of a flare-up, a doctor may recommend a clear liquid diet for a few days to fully rest the bowel. This stage is crucial for reducing pain and inflammation.

Allowed: Broth, gelatin, ice pops without fruit bits, pulp-free fruit juices (like apple or white grape), water, and tea or coffee without cream.
To Avoid: All solid foods and juices with pulp.

Stage 2: Low Fiber Diet

As symptoms improve, the doctor will advise transitioning to a low fiber diet. The aim is to limit fiber intake to 10-15 grams per day to keep stools small and easy to pass.

Allowed Foods
- Grains: Refined white bread, white rice, pasta, and low-fiber cereals like corn flakes or puffed rice.
- Fruits: Canned or cooked fruits without skin or seeds, applesauce, ripe bananas, and melons.
- Vegetables: Canned or well-cooked vegetables without skin or seeds, such as carrots, green beans, and peeled potatoes.
- Proteins: Tender, lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and smooth peanut butter.
- Dairy: Milk, yogurt, and cheese, if tolerated, without added nuts or seeds.
Foods to Avoid
- Whole Grains: Whole wheat bread, brown rice, wild rice, oatmeal, and popcorn.
- Fruits with Seeds/Skins: Berries, figs, dried fruit, and prune juice.
- Tough Vegetables: Raw vegetables, broccoli, cabbage, corn, and vegetables with skin or seeds.
- Legumes and Nuts: Beans, lentils, nuts, and chunky peanut butter.

Stage 3: High Fiber Reintroduction

Once the flare-up has subsided and symptoms are gone, fiber should be gradually reintroduced. This is critical for preventing future episodes of diverticulitis. The recommended fiber intake for long-term health is typically 25 to 30 grams daily. A food diary can help monitor tolerance as new foods are added back in.

Low Fiber vs. Low Residue Diet

The terms "low fiber" and "low residue" are often used interchangeably but have a slight distinction. A low-residue diet is a low-fiber diet with more stringent restrictions, including limitations on certain foods like dairy, which do not contain fiber but leave behind a residue in the colon. For managing diverticulitis, the low fiber diet is the more common and slightly less restrictive recommendation as symptoms improve.


Feature	Low Fiber Diet	Low Residue Diet
Primary Goal	Reduce fiber intake to minimize stool volume during a flare-up.	Reduce both fiber and non-fiber solids (residue) in the colon.
Fiber Restriction	Limits high-fiber foods to 10-15 grams per day.	Often more restrictive on daily fiber allowance.
Dairy	Generally allowed if well-tolerated, without high-fiber additives.	May be restricted or limited to certain types (e.g., lactose-free).
Fruits/Vegetables	Canned/cooked and peeled, no seeds.	Often only includes juices and very select, peeled fruits.
Use Case	Most common diet during recovery from a mild diverticulitis flare.	May be used in more severe cases or for pre-surgical bowel prep.

Important Considerations and Risks

A low fiber diet is intended to be a short-term intervention. Prolonged adherence can lead to potential health risks, as fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet.

Constipation: Paradoxically, a long-term low fiber diet can lead to constipation and straining, which increases pressure in the colon and may contribute to future diverticula formation.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Limiting fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for an extended period can lead to a lack of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Your doctor may recommend a multivitamin supplement.
Disruption of Gut Microbiome: The gut microbiome relies on fiber for food. A low fiber diet can negatively impact the balance of beneficial gut bacteria.

It is crucial to follow a healthcare provider's instructions for the duration and progression of the diet. The ultimate goal is to return to a high-fiber diet, which is key for preventing future diverticulitis flares.

Returning to a High Fiber Diet

Reintroducing high-fiber foods must be done slowly and carefully. Here are some steps to follow:

Gradual Increase: Add one new high-fiber food at a time in small quantities, over a few weeks.
Monitor Your Body: Pay close attention to how your body reacts. If a food causes discomfort, reduce the amount or remove it temporarily.
Prioritize Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, as you increase fiber intake. Fiber needs water to move through the digestive system effectively.
Include Soluble Fiber: Start with soluble fiber, which is easier to digest. Examples include oats, barley, and some fruits and vegetables.

Conclusion

A low fiber diet for diverticulitis is a temporary, medically supervised eating plan designed to rest an inflamed colon during a flare-up. By restricting high-fiber foods, it helps to minimize pain and irritation, allowing for healing. However, this diet is not a long-term solution. The goal is to progress through a clear liquid phase to a low fiber phase, and finally, to gradually reintroduce high-fiber foods to promote long-term digestive health and prevent future episodes. Always consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before starting or modifying a diet for diverticulitis to ensure a safe and effective plan. For more detailed dietary guidance, visit the Mayo Clinic's diverticulitis diet page.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary goal is to reduce the volume and bulk of stool in the colon during a flare-up, which helps decrease pressure and allows the inflamed diverticula to rest and heal.

The duration is short-term and depends on the severity of the flare-up and your doctor's instructions. A low fiber diet is typically followed for a few days to a week before a gradual reintroduction of fiber begins.

No, nuts and seeds are generally avoided during a diverticulitis flare-up. While recent studies suggest they may not cause diverticulitis, they are restricted on a low fiber diet because they can be difficult to digest and may irritate the bowel during inflammation.

A low fiber diet specifically limits dietary fiber, whereas a low residue diet restricts both fiber and other foods (like some dairy products) that leave behind undigested material, or residue, in the colon. The low fiber diet is slightly less restrictive and more commonly used for mild diverticulitis recovery.

Good examples include white bread, white rice, pasta, low-fiber cereals, canned or cooked and peeled fruits and vegetables, and tender, well-cooked meat, fish, or eggs.

Extended periods on a low fiber diet can lead to health risks like constipation, which increases colonic pressure, and nutrient deficiencies due to the exclusion of many healthy, high-fiber foods.

You can start gradually reintroducing fiber after your symptoms have resolved, and with the guidance of your doctor. This process should be slow and monitored, often taking several weeks to build back up to a normal, high-fiber diet.