A diet high in fiber helps prevent constipation and thus decrease the risk for diverticular disease.

What foods are high in fiber?

Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes (dried beans, peas, and lentils). There are two types of fiber, soluble (dissolves in water) and insoluble.

• Soluble fiber forms a soft gel-like substance in the digestive tract.
• Insoluble fiber passes through the digestive tract nearly unchanged.
• Both of these are necessary to keep stool soft and moving easily through the digestive tract to prevent constipation.