Diverticulitis disease occurs when small pouches (diverticuli) form in the lower intestine, particularly in the colon. Constipation & straining during bowel movements might make the disease worse. Diverticulitis can occasionally develop from one or more of these pouches becoming inflamed or infected.
Mild cases of diverticulitis are typically treated with antibiotics and a low-fibre diet. Alternatively, treatment may commence with a period of fasting, followed by clear liquids and then the gradual introduction of a low-fibre diet until the condition improves. More severe cases usually necessitate hospitalisation.
Your doctor may advise a diverticulitis diet as part of a short-term treatment plan for acute diverticulitis. Making appropriate food choices can be beneficial. While there isn’t a specific diverticulosis diet, consuming a high-fibre diet may help reduce the risk, maintain soft stools, & prevent inflammation.
Foods to Eat During Diverticulitis
During diverticulitis flare-ups, you might start feeling better after a short period on a liquid diet only. If your symptoms are getting better, your doctor will likely advise you to reintroduce solid foods gradually. It’s crucial to opt for low-fibre foods during this period. However, consuming a high-fibre diet lowers the risk of diverticulitis, but it’s better to steer clear of fibre in your diet when experiencing diverticulitis symptoms.
Stick to a low-fibre diet for 2-3 days during flare-ups or for as long as recommended by your doctor. Below are a few examples of foods you may consume, which include:
- Whole grains, such as quinoa, bulgur, teff, barley, popcorn, oats, shredded wheat, bran cereals, and whole-grain bread, are beneficial.
- Include beans and legumes in your diet, such as black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, and lentils.
- Consume various vegetables, including greens (collard, kale, spinach), broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.
- Consume a variety of fruits, especially blackberries and raspberries, as well as avocado, blueberries, strawberries, apples, pears (with the skin on), kiwi, and oranges.
- Include seeds like sunflower, pumpkin, flax, and chia in your diet.
- Incorporate nuts like almonds, pistachios, & pecans into your diet.
Top 7 Foods to Avoid with Diverticulitis
When following a diverticulitis diet, it is important to eat the right foods and avoid the wrong ones. Maintain a well-balanced diet comprising a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, & healthy fats.
So, here’s a list of the top 7 foods to avoid with diverticulitis disease as per the NHS:
- Dairy Product
- Red Meat
- Cereals and Refined Carbohydrates
- Fried Foods
- Spicy Foods
- Legumes
- Refined Grains and Sugars
Let’s understand the list of foods not to eat with diverticulitis in detail below.
1. Dairy Products
Lactose digestion is frequently impaired in people with diverticulitis, which can cause irritation & discomfort in the stomach. Multiple symptoms like bloating, diarrhoea, and gas from lactose intolerance can make diverticulitis flare-ups even more disturbing. Dairy products also include a lot of fat, which is bad for those with diverticulitis since it makes the body work harder to digest and may increase inflammation.
2. Red Meat
It’s generally recommended that individuals with diverticulitis avoid consuming red meat. The reason why red meat can cause problems for people with diverticulitis isn’t completely understood. Still, some professionals think it might be connected to specific inflammatory substances that are produced when consuming red meat, like C-reactive protein and ferritin.
3. Cereals and Refined Carbohydrates
Cereals often contain high amounts of sugar and refined carbohydrates, which can exacerbate diverticulitis flare-ups. Certain cereals may be suitable for consumption if they have a low fibre content. Consumption of refined carbohydrates can lead to gut inflammation and disrupt gut bacteria balance, which increases the likelihood of digestive ailments like diverticulitis.
4. Fried Foods
Fried foods contain high levels of fatty oils that can lead to an increase in gas and bloating. They can also cause inflammation in the digestive tract, making active diverticulitis flare-ups more severe.
5. Spicy Foods
Spicy food can irritate anyone’s digestive system, regardless of their overall health. If you are prone to diverticulitis, consuming hot sauces, chillies, wasabi, and curry dishes may increase the risk of a flare-up. However, you can still add flavour to your food without using spicy heat by using different spices. Capsaicin can irritate the colon’s lining, leading to inflammation and general discomfort. As a result, this inflammation can exacerbate symptoms of diverticulitis.
6. Legumes
Beans and lentils are types of legumes. They contain a lot of fibre and might lead to discomfort during a diverticulitis flare-up. Should you choose to consume legumes, it’s important to properly prepare them by soaking them and ensuring thorough cooking to help in digestion.
7. Refined Grains and Sugars
Highly processed sugars are generally known to cause inflammation, which can exacerbate diverticulitis. Some individuals experience an increase in diarrhoea, a common symptom of diverticulitis, when they consume a diet high in sugar.
The situation with grains is more intricate. If you are not experiencing a flare-up and want to prevent one, the abundant fibre in whole grains might be beneficial. Fibre aids in maintaining regularity in the digestive system, thus reducing the likelihood of developing diverticulitis. However, during a flare-up, the fibre may agitate the digestive system. During an active flare-up, you might find relief by temporarily consuming refined grains as you heal.
Final Thoughts
Diverticulitis arises from the infection or inflammation of the diverticula, which are pouches located in the intestines. Diverticulitis symptoms can be managed by relaxing your digestive system, avoiding certain foods, and modifying your diet. Eating meals high in fibre can help stop the recurrence of diverticulitis attacks once they have been managed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the complications of diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis occasionally causes major complications like:
- An accumulation of pus (abscess) in the colon.
- An obstruction in the bowels.
- An opening from your colon to another organ, such as your bladder, is called a fistula.
- A hole (perforation) in your gut might trigger a severe infection called peritonitis.
Surgery or antibiotics may be used to treat these issues. For instance, surgery can be required to remove an infected portion of the colon or to drain an abscess.
2. How should I take care of my diverticular disease?
Eating a low-fibre diet can often reduce symptoms of diverticular disease. Doctors generally advise Paracetamol for pain relief; aspirin or ibuprofen shouldn’t be taken often because they may cause stomach problems. Speak with your doctor if Paracetamol isn’t working for you on its own.
3. Is it alright to drink milk if you have diverticulitis?
People with diverticulitis should avoid high-FODMAP foods.
4. Can diverticulitis cause gas?
The symptoms of diverticulitis are usually severe and can come on suddenly, but they may get worse over a few days. They can include tenderness, often in the lower left part of the belly, as well as bloating or gas.
5. Can people with diverticular disease live a long life?
Yes, most cases of diverticulitis can be completely resolved with simple treatment, occasionally with antibiotics, or even just managing flare ups by going on a sloppy/soft diet as above. Having diverticulitis should not affect how long you can live. The only time it might be life-threatening is if there is a hole in the bowel or an abscess breaks open, but this is not common.
6. Is diverticulitis a serious condition?
Diverticulitis can be a serious medical issue that often needs immediate medical attention and sometimes requires a hospital stay. Mild cases can be treated at home, but it’s important to get checked by a doctor quickly. Treatment might involve not eating or drinking and instead receiving fluids through a vein to let the bowel rest.
In severe cases, the inflammation from the diverticulitis may perforate with a hole in the bowel, which is a serious life-threatening condition. This normally presents with severe abdominal pain and fevers.
