Oatmeal and Diverticulitis

Oatmeal and Diverticulitis

Oatmeal and Diverticulitis
Everyday Health
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Updated on August 6, 2025
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Fiber can be beneficial for someone who has diverticulosis, but it’s important to know when to add it.

Oatmeal is an excellent source of soluble fiber and a delicious whole grain that contains many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s also an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, protein, and iron.

Diagnosis of Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis occurs when increased pressure in the colon pushes outward, causing small bulging pouches or sacs (diverticula) in weakened areas of the colon. There may be minimal or no symptoms.

Diverticulitis occurs when the diverticula become infected or inflamed. Symptoms usually include abdominal pain and tenderness in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen. Fever, constipation, or diarrhea may also occur.

Healthcare providers can diagnosis diverticular disease using a barium enema, colonoscopy, ultrasound, or computerized tomography (CT) scan.

Diet Progression

With diverticulitis, a doctor usually recommends oral antibiotics and a diet of clear liquids to allow for bowel rest. Clear broths and pulp-free juices, gelatin, and popsicles are good choices.

 These foods allow less material to pass through the colon, thereby “resting” it.

It’s important to follow this dietary advice to allow enough time for the colon to heal. Once the healing has occurred, your doctor will gradually advance the diet to solids and include some low-fiber foods. Applesauce, cooked vegetables (no seeds or skins), yogurt, and other dairy can provide this level of fiber.

If adding meats, they need to be tender and well cooked.

When they can be tolerated, usually after a few days, higher-fiber foods can be gradually introduced to the diet.

Work closely with your doctor to discuss which diet choices are right for you.

Oatmeal and High Fiber

Fiber not only assists in keeping the stool soft and helping prevent constipation, but it also decreases colon pressure, which lessens the chances of a diverticulitis flare-up.

Vegetables and fruits can be added initially with gradual advancement to beans, brown rice, and whole grains.

Oatmeal is one whole grain beneficial for colon health. One cup of instant oatmeal contains approximately 4 grams of fiber.

 Additionally, high-fiber foods, like oatmeal, can provide benefits to heart health.
Always remember to include plenty of water each day when eating a diet high in fiber, as the soluble fiber will absorb the water and help keep the stool soft as it passes through the colon.

If you experience increased abdominal pain, fever, inability to tolerate oral fluids, or rectal bleeding, it is important to contact your doctor. Severe diverticulitis might require hospitalization to receive intravenous antibiotics.

The Takeaway

  • Adding fiber is beneficial for people with diverticulosis to prevent constipation.
  • Oatmeal is an excellent source of soluble fiber, which can help keep stools soft and reduce colon pressure.
  • After a bout of diverticulitis, you will gradually transition from a clear liquid diet to a low-fiber diet, and then slowly introduce high-fiber foods, like oatmeal.
  • Seek immediate medical attention if you experience increased abdominal pain, fever, or rectal bleeding, or if you’re unable to tolerate oral fluids.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Mayo Clinic Staff. Are There Any Trigger Foods I Should Stop Eating to Prevent Diverticulosis Attacks? Mayo Clinic. July 9, 2024.
  2. Diverticular Disease and Diet. University of California San Francisco.
  3. Chart of High Fiber Foods. Mayo Clinic. November 23, 2023.
  4. Diverticulitis. Cleveland Clinic. April 10, 2023.
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Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.

Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.

She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.

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Linda H. Lamb

Author

Linda H. Lamb is a veteran newspaper journalist whose experience includes over 10 years at "The State," South Carolina's largest newspaper. As its medical writer, she was named top beat reporter in the state (2003), with a special interest in nutrition-related issues including obesity, chronic disease management and cancer. Lamb holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Michigan State University.

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