Feeding Martha:
Daily meal plan — post-diverticulosis recovery (revised)
Morning
Breakfast + Metamucil here
1 slice whole wheat toast with 1 tsp real butter · ½ cup cooked oatmeal (plain) · 1 soft scrambled egg · 4–8 oz warm water to take Metamucil (½ tsp first week, then 1 tsp)
~360 cal
Protein 15g
Carbs 42g
Fat 13g
Fiber 5g
Mid-morning
Milkshake
1 cup whole milk · 1 scoop egg white protein powder (~20–24g protein) · ½ banana · 1 tsp honey or a small amount of vanilla for flavor. Blend smooth. Egg white protein is easy on digestion and neutral in flavor.
~320 cal
Protein 26g
Carbs 28g
Fat 8g
Fiber 1g
Lunch
Chicken with potato and green beans potato or rice
3 oz boneless skinless chicken breast (baked or poached, soft) · ½ cup white rice OR 1 small baked or boiled potato (skin off, soft) · ½ cup well-cooked green beans · light drizzle olive oil or pat of butter for calories
~370 cal
Protein 27g
Carbs 38g
Fat 9g
Fiber 3g
Afternoon
Light snack
½ cup plain Greek yogurt · 1 tbsp honey · small handful saltine crackers. Good probiotic source to support gut microbiome recovery post-antibiotics.
~210 cal
Protein 10g
Carbs 28g
Fat 4g
Fiber 0g
Dinner
Chicken noodle soup + potato option
1.5–2 cups canned or bottled chicken noodle soup (low-sodium preferred — Progresso or Campbell's Homestyle are good options) · 1 small baked or boiled potato on the side (skin off), with butter if desired. The potato adds satisfying carbs and calories without needing bread.
~390 cal
Protein 20g
Carbs 52g
Fat 8g
Fiber 4g
Daily totals
1,650
Calories
98g
Protein
188g
Carbs
42g
Fat
13g
Fiber
Hydration schedule
Wake-up
8 oz warm water before anything else — helps bowel motilityWith breakfast Metamucil
8 oz water minimum — Metamucil must have adequate water or it can worsen constipationMid-morning
4–6 oz water or herbal tea alongside the milkshakeWith lunch
8 oz water or low-sodium brothMid-afternoon
6–8 oz water or decaf teaWith dinner
8 oz water — soup also contributes ~6–8 oz fluidEvening
4–6 oz water — avoid large amounts right before bedTarget: 48–56 oz (6–7 cups) fluids daily. Soup broth counts toward total.
Metamucil: Start ½ tsp in 8 oz water for 3–5 days, then advance to 1 full tsp. Always with a full glass of water. Morning with breakfast maximizes compliance.
Potato notes: Baked or boiled potato with skin removed is gentle on a recovering gut and easy to digest. Butter is fine for calories. Can be used at lunch instead of rice, or as a side at dinner in place of bread — flexible either way.
Canned soup: Look for low-sodium versions when possible (Progresso Low Sodium, Campbell's Well Yes). Standard versions are fine occasionally but sodium can drive thirst and fluid retention in older adults.
Post-infection caution: Avoid seeds, nuts, popcorn, and raw vegetables for 2–4 more weeks. Well-cooked green beans are fine. Reintroduce higher-fiber foods gradually once fully symptom-free.
Potato notes: Baked or boiled potato with skin removed is gentle on a recovering gut and easy to digest. Butter is fine for calories. Can be used at lunch instead of rice, or as a side at dinner in place of bread — flexible either way.
Canned soup: Look for low-sodium versions when possible (Progresso Low Sodium, Campbell's Well Yes). Standard versions are fine occasionally but sodium can drive thirst and fluid retention in older adults.
Post-infection caution: Avoid seeds, nuts, popcorn, and raw vegetables for 2–4 more weeks. Well-cooked green beans are fine. Reintroduce higher-fiber foods gradually once fully symptom-free.