A friend said her husband spent most of the vacation suffering from a bout of diverticulitis. She feels his pain. This is a fairly common symptom, especially as you get older.
What you should eat when suffering from this intestinal condition depends on where you are in the process. Let me explain.
For reasons that are not completely understood, small pockets called diverticula can form in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of such pouches is called diverticulosis.
Most people with diverticulosis do not develop further problems. However, if any of these projections in your intestines are infected or inflamed, it’s a different story. This is called diverticulitis, and it is a painful condition that often requires medical attention.
How does diverticulosis develop in the first place? Diet appears to play a big role, according to a 2021 systematic review of the topic published in the journal Nutrients. For example, recent studies have shown that the higher your intake of dietary fiber (found only in plant foods), the lower your risk of developing diverticulosis or diverticulitis.
The amount of fiber in your diet depends on what stage you are at. To recover from a diverticulitis attack, a diet low in fiber is usually recommended. After that, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends gradually returning to your normal intake of dietary fiber (25 grams is a good goal for most people).
Good sources of dietary fiber include fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. For example, a half cup of raspberries contains 4 grams of fiber. There are 5 grams in 1 cup of boiled broccoli. And just 1/2 cup of cooked beans contains about 8 grams of dietary fiber.
Also pay attention to the nutritional information displayed on packaged foods. You can see the amount of dietary fiber per serving. Tip: Foods that claim to be “rich in fiber” must contain at least 5 grams of fiber per serving.
Are there other ways to reduce the risk of this disease? Liquids, liquids, liquids, especially water and other sugar-free drinks. This is especially important when increasing your fiber intake. And if your regular diet includes more meat than vegetables, experts say it’s time to reverse that ratio. Excessive meat consumption is also a risk factor for diverticular disease.
What about nuts, popcorn, sunflower seeds, etc.? These foods are usually restricted while recovering from diverticulitis inflammation and infection, but current research shows that these foods are not harmful to patients with diverticulosis unless they cause discomfort. It is suggested that.
what else? Physical activity has also been shown to help prevent the pain caused by this condition.
Oh, and if you smoke, you might want to quit. This is also an important way to reduce risk.
Barbara Quinn-Intermill is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. She is the author of Quinn-Essential Nutrition (Westbow Press, 2015).Please send an email to her [email protected].