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Diet for diverticulitis

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Diverticula are a bag located in the internal part of the intestine, especially in the colon. When inflamed and infected cause a condition that we know as diverticulitis.

This disease is quite common, mostly among people over 50. Diverticula appear due to pressure on the colon; factors such as sedentary lifestyle, stress, or obesity can increase the risk of suffering. However, it is essentially related to constipation and a lack of fiber that slows down bowel movements.

Taking this into account, with a good and precise diet, the symptoms and problems derived from this disease could be prevented, avoided, and treated; that is why at FastlyHealwe have designed a diet for diverticulitis that includes all those foods that will favor in its treatment.

Table of Contents

Fiber issue

As we have already mentioned, diverticula occur due to weakness in the intestinal wall caused by excessive pressure in the intestine. This pressure is due to constipation, so the Diet for diverticulitis should be aimed at avoiding it. As you surely know, fiber is our best ally when it comes to preventing constipation; therefore, in our Diet, we should give priority to foods rich in fiber :

  • Fruits: plums, apples, bananas, peaches, or pears.
  • Cooked vegetables: asparagus, mushrooms, pumpkin, artichokes, carrots, potatoes.
  • Juices and fruit and vegetable juices
  • Cereals
  • Pan integral
  • Legumes and nuts.

The amount of fiber recommended for a healthy adult is between 20 and 35 grams a day; in your case, it is advisable to consume about 10 grams more than those established, although it is always better to consult with your doctor to develop a routine and an exact amount of fiber. If you are not used to eating so much fiber and feel full, you can try dietary supplements that facilitate intestinal transit without constantly eating.

Water is essential

It is already known about the importance of water in our life; in fact, 70% of our body is made of this precious liquid. Water is also essential to go to the belly regularly and avoid putting excessive pressure on our colon. It is recommended to drink between 2 and 2.5 liters of water a day, more in men than in women, but the essential question is to maintain the correct hydration levels in our body.

It is not so important to drink the suitable liters but to satisfy the body’s demands since if, for example, we go for a run in full sun and sweat a lot, we will need an extra supply of water.

We must also consider that 20% of the daily water we ingest through food; therefore, as in this Diet, we substantially increase fruits and vegetables – great water carriers – perhaps it is not necessary to raise the H20 glasses you will need.

Watch out for waste.

In this Diet for diverticulitis, we also have to warn you of some products that can cause you harm. Certain foods cause waste that is not processed by our intestines and that, once they have to leave, can lodge in the walls and inflame the diverticula. The seeds or the skin and peel of some fruits can be one of the causes, so we recommend monitoring what is eaten to prevent our body from generating any of these wastes:

  • Do not eat seeds; in the case of kiwi, melon, or watermelon, you can eat the fruit as long as the seeds are removed.
  • Fruits such as cherries, grapes, or strawberries are recommended not eaten, given the difficulty of removing the seeds and the debris they generate.
  • If you eat nuts or popcorn, you must chew thoroughly and correctly so that no residue can be deposited in the diverticula.

Other tips for diverticulitis

To finish the Diet for diverticulitis, we will give you other tips that you should put into practice:

  • Chew correctly to facilitate digestion and subsequent expulsion of food.
  • The increase in fiber in the Diet should be gradual. Otherwise, it could cause flatulence and other symptoms.
  • Avoid drinks like tea or coffee that can irritate your stomach.
  • Go to the bathroom every time you feel like it, don’t hold back the urge to go.
  • Practice regular exercise, about 30 minutes a day.
  • If you are on your stomach, avoid making excessive efforts that can increase the pressure in your colon.
  • Do not use laxatives; although they can provide momentary relief in the long run, they still further irritate your intestine and cause constipation.
  • Do not eat refined sugar as it does not contribute anything nutritionally, and it does promote intestinal putrefaction that causes diverticula.
  • In this article, you will find the foods that cause constipation.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Diet for diverticulitis, we recommend that you enter our Digestive System category .

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