What food is bad for diverticulitis?

And no special diet has been proved to prevent attacks. In the past, people with small pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the colon were told to avoid nuts, seeds and popcorn. High-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, soften waste and help it pass more quickly through your colon.

The seeds in tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, strawberries, and raspberries, as well as poppy seeds, should not cause any problems. If you do not have diverticulosis but simply want a healthier, high-fiber diet, there should be no problem with eating any of these seeds.

Gradually you can ease back into a regular diet. Your doctor may advise you to start with low-fiber foods (white bread, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products) before introducing high-fiber foods. Many studies show that eating fiber-rich foods can help control diverticular symptoms.

What foods should I eat if I have diverticulitis?

white rice, white bread, or white pasta (though you should be careful to avoid gluten-containing foods if intolerant)

dry, low-fiber cereals.

processed fruits such as applesauce or canned peaches.

cooked animal proteins such as fish, poultry, or eggs.

If left untreated, diverticulitis can lead to serious complications that require surgery, including: Abscesses may form around the infected diverticula. If these go through the intestinal wall, you may develop peritonitis, a potentially fatal infection that requires immediate treatment.

Diverticula are pouches that occur along your digestive tract, most often in your colon (large intestine). These pouches form when weak spots in the intestinal wall balloon outward. When these pouches become inflamed, or bacteria gather in them and cause an infection, you have diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis symptoms often include the following:

Lower abdominal pain (occurs on left side in 70 percent of patients; often described as crampy)

Change in bowel habits.

Nausea and vomiting.

Constipation.

Diarrhea.

Flatulence.

Bloating.

Fever.

Diverticulitis is a more serious condition and causes symptoms in most people with the condition that include:

Pain in the abdomen, usually in the lower left side.

Bleeding, bright red or maroon blood may appear in the stool, in the toilet (a symptom of rectal bleeding), or on the toilet paper.

Fever.

Nausea.

Vomiting.

One typical oral antibiotic regimen is a combination of ciprofloxacin (or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) and metronidazole. Moxifloxacin is appropriate monotherapy for outpatient treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid monotherapy is acceptable as well.

In fact, eating a high-fiber diet — which may include moderate amounts of nuts and seeds — may reduce your risk of diverticulitis. If you have diverticular disease, talk to your doctor or dietitian about the kinds of food to eat and whether there are any you need to avoid.

Foods that are generally allowed on a low-fiber diet include:

White bread without nuts and seeds.

White rice, plain white pasta, and crackers.

Refined hot cereals, such as Cream of Wheat, or cold cereals with less than 1 gram of fiber per serving.

Pancakes or waffles made from white refined flour.

When you’re on a low-fiber diet for diverticulitis, stay away from cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and other types of berries. Avoid dried fruits, such as dates, figs, prunes, apricots and raisins. Eliminate raw fruits that have skins and seeds, such as apples, plums and pears.

Liver function tests, to rule out other causes of abdominal pain. Stool test, to rule out infection in people who have diarrhea. CT scan, which can indicate inflamed or infected pouches and confirm a diagnosis of diverticulitis. CT can also indicate the severity of diverticulitis and guide treatment.

The two main types of surgery for diverticulitis are: Bowel resection with primary anastomosis: In this procedure, your surgeon removes any infected colon (known as a colectomy) and sews together the cut ends of the two healthy pieces from either side of the previously infected area (anastomosis).

The signs and symptoms of diverticulitis include: Pain, which may be constant and persist for several days. Pain is usually felt in the lower left side of the abdomen, but may occur on the right, especially in people of Asian descent. Nausea and vomiting.

Aging and heredity are primary factors in the development of diverticulosis and diverticulitis, but diet also plays a role. Eating a diet low in fiber and high in refined foods may increase the risk. Diverticulitis will occur in about 10%-25% of those with diverticulosis.

Diverticulosis occurs when small, bulging pouches (diverticula) develop in your digestive tract. When one or more of these pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis.

Diverticulosis is the condition of having multiple pouches and colon (diverticula) in the colon that are not inflamed. These are outpockets of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through weaknesses of muscle layers in the colon wall. They typically cause no symptoms.

The following foods are generally allowed in a clear liquid diet:

Water (plain, carbonated or flavored)

Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple or white grape juice.

Fruit-flavored beverages, such as fruit punch or lemonade.

Carbonated drinks, including dark sodas (cola and root beer)

Gelatin.

High fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds can take longer to chew than other foods and will help keep you full longer. Add more fiber-rich foods into your diet to help you eat slower, savor your meals, and prevent overeating.