Diverticulosis patients should avoid foods that could get stuck in the diverticula, such as nuts, seeds, and popcorn. Fried and high-fat foods, as well as low-fiber foods, should also be avoided. Keeping a food diary can help determine which foods are safe. Laxatives can also cause problems.
Diverticulosis is a medical condition in which small pockets known as diverticula develop within the colon. Anecdotal evidence recommends several foods to avoid with diverticulosis, but research hasn’t shown they cause problems. A patient with diverticulosis should keep a food diary to determine which foods she should avoid.
Many doctors recommend avoiding any food that could get stuck in the diverticula. If food gets stuck in the diverticula, it can irritate them, causing pain and an infection known as diverticulitis. Although many patients claim that they experience pain after eating certain small, hard foods, no scientific data has been found to support this theory.
Foods that are most at risk of entering the diverticula are nuts, seeds, and popcorn. Although some claim that even the small seeds in tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries can cause problems, most doctors say they are safe, especially when cooked. If any of these foods cause problems, they can be pureed in a food processor.
Fried and high-fat foods are also considered foods to avoid with diverticulosis. These types of foods take a long time to digest. This can cause swelling and increased pressure in the colon, which can cause pain and other complications, such as diverticulitis. Diverticula are weak areas of the colon, and therefore anything that causes additional pressure should be avoided.
Some other foods to avoid with diverticulosis are low-fiber foods like white rice, pasta, and refined breads. Low-fiber foods take longer to go through the digestive process, adding to the pressure in the same way as fried foods. Diverticulosis patients should increase their fiber intake to help their colon process food easily.
Colon stimulants, also called laxatives, can also cause problems for people with diverticulosis, either in the form of food or medication. Laxatives can damage the colon and diverticula. They do not cleanse the colon and the digestive system can become dependent on them to function.
Researchers have not shown that these foods cause problems, so many doctors recommend keeping a very detailed food diary to determine which foods are safe for each patient. To keep a food diary, a patient will need to write down what he eats at each meal, as well as his medications and bowel movements. By keeping track of which foods cause pain, a patient can determine which foods to avoid with diverticulosis.
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