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Diverticulitis: Best diet for diverticulitis

Deborah Kurzrock

Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

Question:

I've been diagnosed with diverticulitis (no longer acute) and have been told to avoid nuts and seeds. Do things like peas, beans, corn count as seeds? What is a good diet to avoid another bout of diverticulitis? (I'm also lactose intolerant.)

Answer:

In the past, many doctors recommended that people with diverticulitis avoid nuts and seeds. It was thought that these small particles could lodge in the diverticula and cause inflammation (which is diverticulitis). There is actually no scientific evidence that seeds and nuts cause diverticulitis flare-ups. In fact, eating a diet high in fiber reduces the risk of diverticulitis.

Nuts and seeds are often included in a high fiber diet. However, if you believe that any food, including the ones you asked about, trigger your attacks then avoid these foods. Just make sure to get enough fiber from other foods. High fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, soften stools and help them pass more quickly through your colon. This reduces pressure inside your digestive track. Aim for 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day. An apple or half a cup of spinach, each contain at least 3 grams of fiber. A half-cup of kidney beans contains 8 grams of fiber. Be sure to add fiber slowly to avoid feeling bloated. It is also important to consume water with your high fiber foods.

Regular exercise is also recommended to promote normal bowel function. It is also crucial that you do not delay bowel movements, listen to your body, and respond to bowel urges. Keeping a diet with a consistent balance of soluble and insoluble fiber and liquid will help maintain healthy bowel function.

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Back to Digestive Health

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