What is a soft diet for diverticulitis? A guide to managing flare-ups

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

Over half of Americans over 60 have diverticulosis, a condition where small pouches called diverticula form in the large intestine. When these pouches become inflamed or infected, a diverticulitis flare-up occurs, and following a soft diet for diverticulitis is a key step in managing symptoms and allowing the bowel to heal.

Quick Summary

A soft, low-fiber diet is a temporary measure used to rest the intestines during a diverticulitis flare-up. Patients typically progress from a clear liquid diet to easy-to-digest foods before slowly returning to a high-fiber diet to help prevent future episodes.

Key Points

Purpose: A soft diet for diverticulitis is a temporary, low-fiber eating plan to help rest and heal the bowel during a flare-up.
Phased Approach: It often begins with a clear liquid diet, followed by a gradual reintroduction of soft, low-fiber foods.
Eat These: Focus on easy-to-digest items like white rice, refined pasta, cooked vegetables without skins, and lean proteins like eggs and baked fish.
Avoid These: During a flare-up, avoid high-fiber foods such as whole grains, nuts, and seeds, as well as greasy, spicy, and processed items.
Long-term Goal: After a flare-up resolves, a high-fiber diet is recommended to prevent future episodes, but it should be reintroduced gradually.
Consult a Professional: Always work with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action and progression for your condition.

What is a Soft Diet for Diverticulitis?

A soft diet for diverticulitis is a short-term, low-fiber eating plan designed to reduce strain on the intestines during an acute flare-up of the condition. Diverticulitis is the inflammation or infection of diverticula, the small pouches that can form in the wall of the large intestine. The purpose of a soft diet is to minimize the amount of undigested material passing through the colon, which can lessen symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and cramping. By consuming foods that are easy to digest, you give the inflamed colon a chance to rest and recover. This diet is a crucial part of the overall treatment plan, which may also include antibiotics and, in some severe cases, hospitalization.

The Transition from Clear Liquids to Soft Foods

Managing a diverticulitis flare-up often involves a phased dietary approach that starts with clear liquids before advancing to soft foods. This progression helps to soothe the digestive tract and gradually reintroduce solid foods without causing further irritation.

Phase 1: Clear Liquid Diet

For the first couple of days of a flare-up, or during severe symptoms, a doctor may recommend a clear liquid diet. This helps to give the bowel maximum rest. During this phase, you can consume:

Water and ice chips
Clear broths (chicken, beef, or vegetable)
Fruit juices without pulp, like apple, cranberry, or grape juice
Plain gelatin and popsicles without fruit pieces
Tea or coffee without milk or cream

Phase 2: Low-Fiber, Soft Food Diet

As symptoms improve, typically after 2–3 days, you can slowly begin reintroducing soft, low-fiber foods. This is the soft diet phase. The goal is to choose foods that are easy to chew, bland, and gentle on your digestive system. It is important to add these foods one at a time and in small portions to see how your body tolerates them.

Foods to Eat on a Soft Diet

When transitioning to a soft diet, focus on incorporating a variety of low-fiber foods that are easy to digest. Here are some examples:

Grains and Starches:

White bread, white rice, and plain pasta
Refined crackers, such as saltines
Mashed potatoes or peeled, boiled potatoes
Low-fiber cereals, like Cream of Wheat or puffed rice

Fruits (Canned or Cooked):

Applesauce
Bananas
Cooked pears or peaches without skin or seeds
Canned fruit in water

Vegetables (Cooked or Canned):

Cooked carrots
Cooked green beans
Peeled and cooked squash
Strained vegetable juices

Proteins:

Lean, tender meat like skinless chicken or turkey
Baked or broiled fish
Eggs and egg whites
Tofu
Smooth peanut butter

Dairy (if tolerated):

Milk, if no lactose intolerance issues
Cottage cheese
Yogurt or kefir without seeds or fruit pieces

Foods to Avoid During a Flare-Up

To prevent further irritation and aid healing, certain foods should be avoided during a diverticulitis flare:

High-fiber foods: Whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, and lentils
Raw fruits and vegetables: Especially those with skins or seeds
Processed foods: Deli meats, processed snacks, and frozen meals
Fried and greasy foods: These can be hard to digest and exacerbate symptoms
Spicy foods and condiments: Intense flavors can irritate the digestive tract
Alcohol and caffeine: Can aggravate symptoms and lead to dehydration
Sugary drinks: Sodas and juices with added sugar

A Sample Soft Diet Meal Plan

Here is an example meal plan for the soft diet stage. Remember to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new diet.


Meal	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Breakfast	Rice porridge with applesauce	Scrambled eggs with a slice of white toast	Low-fat yogurt (no seeds/fruit) with a ripe banana
Lunch	Chicken broth with shredded chicken	Baked fish with mashed potatoes (no skin)	Cream of Wheat with a small amount of low-fat milk
Dinner	Pasta with plain chicken breast	Well-cooked, peeled carrots and green beans	Lean ground turkey with white rice
Snack	Sugar-free gelatin	Plain crackers	Applesauce

Soft Diet vs. Long-Term High-Fiber Diet

The dietary strategy for managing diverticular disease is a two-part process. The temporary soft diet is for flare-ups, while a high-fiber diet is the long-term approach for prevention.


Aspect	Soft / Low-Fiber Diet (During Flare-Up)	High-Fiber Diet (For Prevention)
Purpose	To rest the inflamed bowel and reduce GI irritation and stool bulk	To prevent constipation, reduce pressure on the colon, and avoid future flare-ups
Fiber Content	Low (typically under 10-15g per day)	High (gradually increase to 25-35g per day)
Food Focus	Easy-to-digest, bland, and low-fiber foods	Whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds
Duration	Short-term, usually 2-4 days, until symptoms subside	Long-term lifestyle change after recovering from a flare

Returning to a High-Fiber Diet

Once your symptoms have fully resolved, your doctor will advise you to gradually reintroduce high-fiber foods. This process should be slow to avoid bloating or discomfort. Increasing your fiber intake is crucial for long-term management and prevention of diverticulitis. A high-fiber diet keeps stools soft and bulky, which reduces pressure on the colon walls and is associated with a lower risk of future flare-ups. Be sure to drink plenty of water as you increase fiber, as this helps it move through your digestive system effectively. A registered dietitian can provide a personalized plan to help you meet your fiber goals. For more details on diet and nutrition for diverticulitis, you can visit the Mayo Clinic website.

Conclusion

A soft diet for diverticulitis is a critical, temporary tool for managing the symptoms of an acute flare-up by resting the gastrointestinal tract. It is typically a staged process that starts with clear liquids and progresses to low-fiber soft foods as symptoms improve. Once the flare-up has passed, transitioning back to a high-fiber diet, with ample hydration, is the best long-term strategy for preventing future episodes. Always consult with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to ensure you are following the right dietary plan for your specific medical needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The duration of a soft diet depends on the severity of your flare-up and how quickly your symptoms improve. It is typically a short-term measure lasting for a few days, after which you will gradually transition back to a normal, high-fiber diet under a doctor's guidance.

Current medical understanding suggests that it is not necessary to avoid nuts, seeds, and popcorn for the long-term prevention of diverticulitis. However, during a flare-up, these high-fiber foods should be avoided and only reintroduced gradually into your diet once symptoms have resolved.

A clear liquid diet is the first, most restrictive phase of the diverticulitis diet, consisting of only transparent liquids like broth, water, and pulp-free juices. A soft diet follows this and allows for the introduction of easy-to-digest, low-fiber solid foods like white rice, eggs, and cooked vegetables.

Staying well-hydrated is important during a flare-up, especially during the clear liquid phase. As you transition to a soft diet and then a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of water helps fiber move through the digestive system and prevents constipation, which can trigger a flare-up.

Yes, yogurt is generally fine to eat on a soft diet, as long as it is a plain variety without seeds, fruit pieces, or granola. Dairy products are often well-tolerated and provide beneficial protein and calcium.

If your symptoms do not begin to improve within a few days of starting a soft diet, or if they worsen, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. Worsening pain, fever, or an inability to keep fluids down could indicate a more serious condition requiring further medical treatment.

Yes, during a diverticulitis flare-up, you should peel fruits and vegetables and cook them thoroughly. This removes much of the insoluble fiber found in the skins and makes them easier to digest, reducing irritation to the colon.