Eating a high-fibre diet may help to prevent diverticular disease, and it may improve your symptoms.
Your diet should be balanced and include at least five daily portions of fruit and vegetables, plus whole grains. Adults should aim to eat between 18g (0.6oz) to 30g (1.05oz) of fibre a day, depending on their height and weight. Your GP can provide a more specific target, based on your individual height and weight.
It is recommended that you gradually increase your fibre intake over the course of a few weeks. This will help to prevent the side effects associated with a high-fibre diet, such as bloating and flatulence (wind).
Also drink plenty of fluids because this will help to prevent any side effects.
Once you have reached your fibre target, stick to it for the rest of your life if possible. The fibre found in certain fruits and vegetables is thought to be more effective in preventing diverticular disease that the fibre that is found in cereals. The reason for this is uncertain.
Good sources of fibre in vegetables (plus the amount of fibre that is found in typical portions) include:
- red kidney beans – three tablespoons contain 5.4g of fibre
- baked beans – a 100g can contains 3.7g of fibre
- peas – three heaped tablespoons contain 3.6g of fibre
- brussel sprouts – eight sprouts contain 3.3g of fibre
- potatoes – one medium-sized potato contains 2.4g of fibre
Good sources of fibre in fruit (plus the amount of fibre that is found in typical portions) include:
- avocado pear – one medium-sized avocado pear contains 4.9g of fibre
- pear (with skin) – one medium-sized pear contains 3.7g of fibre
- orange – one medium-sized orange contains 2.7g of fibre
- apple – one medium-sized apple contains 2g of fibre
- banana – one medium-sized banana contains 1.7g
Fibre supplements – usually in the form of sachets of powder that you mix with water – are also available from most pharmacists and health food shops.
See the Food Standards Agency (FSA) website for more information about fibre and high-fibre diets.
