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Diverticulitis is extremely common in America. It is estimated that about a third of people over 50 and half of those over 80 have the underlying condition, diverticulosis. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are uncommon in areas where processed foods are the exception other than the rule, leading many to conclude that the disease stems largely from low-fiber, processed diets.
However, many people with diverticulosis do not even know that they have it. Until the diverticula become inflamed or infected, the condition is relatively benign. Diverticulitis, the condition of inflamed and infected diverticula, is painful and may necessitate diverticulitis surgery in severe cases. So how can you keep your diverticulosis from becoming diverticulitis?
The same diet that prevents diverticulosis is also a good anti-diverticulitis diet. A diverticulitis diet should consist be high in fiber and unprocessed foods. Whole grains and vegetables should be the staples of a diverticulitis diet.
Here are some diverticulitis diet tips that will help prevent painful flare-ups:
- Consume at least 25-30 grams of fiber a day, particularly insoluble fiber. This adds bulk to the stool, reducing stress on the colon.
- To increase fiber, replace breads, pasta and other grain products with whole-grain or fiber-added versions.
- Add more vegetables to your favorite dishes to up the fiber content.
- Reduce consumption of processed foods; eat like your ancestors ate!
- For breakfast: replace your morning cereal with a high-fiber version, or add a bran topping to cereal or yogurt. Oatmeal is high in fiber and can be enhanced with fruit toppings. Switch to whole-wheat toast or bagels.
- For lunch: replace your white bread with whole wheat in a sandwich, add fruits or a salad.
- For dinner: use whole-grain pastas, brown rice or beans instead of low-fiber options. Have a high-fiber vegetable with every meal.
- Snacks: nuts, dried or whole fruit and granola make tasty high-fiber snacks.
- Consider a fiber supplement to augment your diverticulitis diet.
- When increasing fiber, do so gradually to prevent uncomfortable gas as your body adjusts.
- The Great Seed Myth: while doctors used to recommend against eating nuts, popcorn, seeds and fruits that might contain them (strawberries, tomatoes), current research indicates that these foods do not increase the chances of diverticulitis and may in fact help prevent the condition due to their high fiber content. So go ahead and enjoy them so long as they aren't causing you problems.
With the help of a good high-fiber anti-diverticulitis diet, you can reduce your symptoms and avoid complications. If you have a diverticulitis flare-up, your doctor is likely to recommend a low-residue diet to allow your colon to heal. This consists of a very low-fiber diet, possibly even a clear liquid diet for a few days. Once symptoms have resolved, follow your doctor's recommendations for returning gradually to a high-fiber diverticulitis diet.
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