Simply put, you must change your diet. You must take 2-4 weeks off from high fiber when you get diverticulitis. Stay on a bland diet; from the BRAT diet ease into a low residue diet. I recommend drinking lots of bone broth for its healing properties.

My naturopathic doctor once sold me Berberine to calm my gut and I keep that on hand to use during a bad spell (of diverticulitis).

Once your bowels are operating properly and regularly you can re-introduce fiber, but you should generally avoid raw fruits and vegetables. If you’re doing well and having regular bowel movements, you can splurge on a peeled apple or pear, but it’s to be considered a treat. Eat canned/cooked fruit instead of snacks and desserts. I usually have frozen Maine Wild Blueberries and 1/2 banana on yogurt for breakfast. Be mindful of getting a balanced diet. I always have a green and an orange vegetable with my big meal which I take earlier rather than later. Avoid large servings of meat for sure.

Start taking Metamucil every day for the rest of your life. I take 2 capsules in the morning and 3 in the evening because that works for me.

Despite my best efforts I have diverticuli throughout my large intestine so I try to be very mindful of my BM’s and take a break from high fiber when things are backed up as well as taking Miralax to clean out the pipes. I take magnesium every night and before I resort to the Miralax I will also take one during the day for a couple days because sometimes that works. Don’t forget to keep busy and moving every day; inactivity doesn’t help with the smooth flow of life.

The worst thing you can do is wind up in the ER and on heavy duty antibiotics. They work against the natural balance of your gut microbiome and it’s a very long time getting straightened out. In fact, I take a daily probiotics capsule and I drink a bit of kefir and a few bites of kimchi almost every day.

You will learn the hard way what triggers your diverticulitis (rib eye steak, too much salad, raw veggies and certain fruits…). Avoid the doctors and get it figured out for yourself before you let them open Pandora’s box with surgical remedies.