Diverticulitis diet refers to a diet people are on when they have an active case of diverticulitis or it means a diet people go on after they’ve had diverticulitis. Having diverticulitis means having infection in pouches in the intestine, which are called diverticula. Presence of diverticula may be a good reason to go on the second type of preventative diet, while having diverticulitis means eating simple and specific foods so the intestines don’t have to work hard and can begin to respond to antibiotic treatment.
When a person has an active case of diverticulitis, doctors may suggest they remain on a simple diverticulitis diet. Things on this diet may vary but usually there are lists of foods that are discouraged. People should avoid high fat foods like meats and heavily fibrous foods. Instead clear liquids are advocated, and most folks do best with simple foods like broth, sports drinks, popsicles, and the like.
Since diverticulitis sometimes leads to greater intestinal troubles, some doctors advocate adding yogurt with live active cultures to an acute diverticulitis diet, or adding simple foods like applesauce which has a little fiber. In addition, physicians may suggest other treatments that can promote regularity. Fiber or laxative supplements might be recommended.
The preventative diverticulitis diet is very different and is meant to be used when people don’t have an active infection. The focus in this diet is getting plenty of fiber. Some of the best sources include beans, whole grain rice, and other whole grains like oats. Green vegetables and many types of fruit are excellent dietary fiber sources. High fiber is combined with low fat proteins and can prove to be very nutritious
One good source of fiber is nuts and seeds, and yet there tends to be great concern with those who have diverticula about eating them. What medical researchers now say is different than in the past. It was once believed that nuts and seeds would get into the diverticula or pouches and cause inflammation. This is no longer believed, though it makes sense to discontinue eating anything that seems to result in acute diverticulitis. People are advised to use their discretion when determining whether nuts and seeds are worth adding to a preventative diverticulitis diet.
While doctors suggest that diet may help reduce some attacks, this isn’t always the case. Not all doctors agree that high fiber diets are that beneficial, but others swear by them as a means of reducing diverticulitis. There are other diets that may be advocated as curative for this condition, but in most cases the condition can’t be fully cured. On the other hand, lots of people swear by a particular diet as being responsible for a reduction in symptoms or diverticulitis attacks.
