A diverticulitis diet has two halves that contradict each other, and that is what confuses people. During a flare-up the gut needs rest, so fibre comes out. Once it settles, fibre is the thing that keeps the next attack away. These guides keep the two halves apart. They also tell you which one you are in.

If you are in pain now, start with the clear liquid diet. Then follow the stage one transition from liquids to soft food, and read what to eat after the flare-up. There are low-fibre recipes and bone broth for those days. There is also a guide to the foods that trigger attacks, so you can spot yours. Because pain makes everyone anxious, each of these guides also says when to call a doctor.

Once you are well, the work changes. First, learn the difference between soluble and insoluble fibre. Then choose from the high-fibre foods that prevent diverticulosis, and read the plan for preventing a recurrence. The old rules about nuts and popcorn get a fresh look, and so does coffee. Exercise, stress, probiotics and eating out each have a guide of their own.

A diverticulitis diet is not a life sentence of bland food. Between attacks, most people eat normally, with more fibre and more water than before. The Diverticulitis Cookbook takes the same two-stage approach. It has recipes for the flare and recipes for the years between. So you never have to guess which stage a dish belongs to, and the move from one to the other happens on the page.