Diverticulitis
In diverticular disease, small bulges or pockets (diverticula) develop in the lining of the intestine. Diverticulitis is when these pockets become inflamed or infected.
FOODS TO EAT MORE OF
FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE
ESSENTIAL OILS
NATURAL/HERBAL
YOGA / MEDITATION THERAPY
SUPPLEMENTS & HOMEOPATHIC
RECIPES/FOOD MEDICINE
Not all recipes are nutritionally perfect, but the options below are a great way to start incorporating beneficial foods into your diet in delicious ways. Always try to buy organic, and feel free to make substitutions to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, etc diets.
Abbreviation Definitions:
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/sides/snacks)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
BEVERAGES
MEALS
SIDES/SALADS/SNACKS
FOODS TO EAT MORE OF
- Fruits: apples, bananas, grapes, mangoes, pears, prunes
- Vegetables: arugula, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, collard greens, kale, romaine lettuce, spinach, watercress
- Whole grains, flax seeds (ground), beans, oats, spirulina, yogurt
- Cinnamon, garlic, ginger
- Water (at least 8 glasses daily)
- For prevention: green chiles
FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE
- Alcohol, caffeine, seeds and nuts, celery, corn
- White sugar & flour
- Fried or pickled foods
- Red meat and dairy products (except yogurt)
ESSENTIAL OILS
NATURAL/HERBAL
- Cinnamon, fenugreek seeds, garlic, German chamomile, ginger, licorice, marshmallow leaf and root, peppermint, slippery elm bark powder, valerian
- Psyllium: 1 Tablespoon powder dissolved in water or juice twice daily (be sure to drink extra water throughout the day).
- Flaxseeds: 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseeds in glass of water (or on food/in smoothie) twice daily (be sure to drink extra water throughout the day).
- Aloe Vera Juice: 1/2 cup juice twice daily (should contain 98% aloe vera and no aloin or aloe-emodin).
- Slippery Elm: 1 cup bark powder, prepared like hot cereal each morning (or use tea - 1 teaspoon per cup - 3 times daily).
- Wild Yam/Peppermint/Valerian: 1 cup tea 3-4 times daily (use 2 parts wild yam, 1 part peppermint, 1 part valerian per cup of hot water, steep 10 minutes, strain).
YOGA / MEDITATION THERAPY
- Yin Yoga for the Large Intestine Meridian (23 minutes - Sally Miller)
SUPPLEMENTS & HOMEOPATHIC
- Acidophilus: 2 pills twice daily between meals (get 1-2 billion live organisms per pill).
- Glutamine: 500 mg L-glutamine twice daily on an empty stomach (when using for longer than 1 month, add a mixed amino acid complex).
RECIPES/FOOD MEDICINE
Not all recipes are nutritionally perfect, but the options below are a great way to start incorporating beneficial foods into your diet in delicious ways. Always try to buy organic, and feel free to make substitutions to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, etc diets.
Abbreviation Definitions:
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/sides/snacks)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
BEVERAGES
- Apple-Orange Smoothie GF VG VT
- BananaSauce Smoothie GF VG VT
- Mango Lassi GF VT
- Mango Matcha Smoothie GF VT
- Mango Pineapple Smoothie LC GF VG VT
- Pineapple Kale Smoothie GF VG VT
- Super Skin Smoothie GF VT
- Tropical Smoothie LC GF VG VT
MEALS
- Adult Ramen LC GF VG VT
- Asian Broccoli & Rice Bowl LC GF VG VT
- Chicken Bone Broth LC GF
- Buddha Bowl GF VG VT - Omit nuts
- Garlic Soup LC GF VG VT
- Quinoa Oatmeal LC GF VG VT
- Spicy Black Bean Soup LC GF VG VT
- Vegan Black Bean Bowl LC GF VG VT
- Vegetable Broth LC GF VG VT
SIDES/SALADS/SNACKS
- Beans & Greens Salad LC GF VG VT
- Creamy Kale LC GF KT VG VT
- Dill Vinaigrette Greens LC GF VG VT KT
- Farro VG VT
- Favetta & Pita Triangles GF VG VT
- Fried Cabbage LC GF VG VT KT
- Glazed Carrots LC GF VG VT
- Hummus & Pita Triangles GF VG VT
- Molasses Beans LC GF
- Roasted Broccoli LC GF VG VT
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts LC GF VG VT
- Roasted Carrots LC GF VG VT
- Sauteed Spinach LC GF KT VG VT
- Steamed Edamame LC GF VG VT