Diverticular disease is a disease caused by low fiber intake, straining bowel movements, and constipation that occurs over a long period of time (Peaston). The strain of bowel movements can cause the formation of small pouches or pouches called diverticula, which is called diverticulosis of the colon. A person is not diagnosed with diverticular disease when diverticula form in the colon, but when the diverticula cause lower abdominal pain (Peaston). Ten to 25 percent of Americans diagnosed with diverticular disease developed diverticulitis, a more severe stage of diverticular disease (Meerscharet). Diverticulitis occurs when the diverticula are infected with bacteria or are inflamed and require immediate medical intervention (Peaston). According to Jill Peaston, diverticula normally form in weak areas of the intestinal mucosa or according to Meerschaert in the colon wall. When you suffer from constipation, this causes strain on the wall of the colon or the lining of the intestine. According to Meerscharet, diverticular disease was first discovered in the United States, where it is common to have low amounts of fiber in one's diet. Meerscharet also argues that diverticular disease is rare in countries such as Asia and Africa because residents of those countries consume high amounts of fiber in their diets. The amount of fiber you consume can determine whether or not you will develop diverticular disease. Diverticular disease is a common intestinal disease (Tufts University) that Americans are at high risk of contracting due to the low amount of fiber in their diet. Without enough fiber in the diet, there may be difficulty releasing waste from the body. Not only does low fiber consumption lead to di...... half of paper......ram for men (Meerscharet). Below I've provided a seven-day meal plan that focuses on high-fiber foods and a total of 1,500 calories per day. Works Cited “Diverticular Disease on the Rise.” Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter 16.8 (1998): 6. Agricultural. Network. November 25, 2013.Meerschaert, Carol. “Fill them with fiber.” The Dietitian of Today 13.12 (2011): 26-28. CINAHL Complete. Network. November 25, 2013.Peaston, Jill. "Diverticular disease". Chemist and Pharmacist 277.6819 (2012): 16-19. CINAHL Complete. Network. November 25, 2013. "Vegetables and fiber linked to lower risk of diverticulitis." Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter 29.9 (2011): 1-2. CINAHL Complete. Network. November 25, 2013.Seibert, Andrew, MD. Presentation of Diverticulitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments of Diverticulitis.(2011)