Diverticulitis can result in either constipation or diarrhea. Fever, nausea, and vomiting are among the possible symptoms of diverticulitis. Additionally, diverticulitis can cause problems such as intestinal obstruction or abscesses with pus in at least one of the pockets. And if a pocket ruptures, it might result in a medical emergency.
Diverticulitis affects the digestive tract; changing one’s diet seems like an excellent place to start. However, you should always consult your healthcare provider before making dietary adjustments.
What to Eat and What Not to Eat
According to UCSF Health, fruit drinks without pulp are typically recommended for the liquid diet. These might include apple and grape juice. White cranberry juice is also an excellent alternative, according to Health line. While orange juice should be avoided, lemonade is fine as long as it is pulp-free. Popsicle produced from fruit juice are also OK if there are no pulp or fruit fragments.
High-fiber meals should be avoided during a diverticulitis episode since they might aggravate the already inflamed pouches in your intestines. Because you will be in discomfort and have a loss of appetite, this diet chart offers a minimum quantity of healthy items that will assist your body work properly. Start your day with two glasses of water to soften the stool and calm the colon walls. It will also aid in the removal of pollutants.
The following high-fiber meals should be avoided during a diverticulitis attack:
- Lentils with beans
- Whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread and pasta
- Red and processed meats may not only aggravate diverticulitis symptoms, but they may also increase the likelihood of developing diverticulitis in the first place. When asked to name red meat, most people will probably respond beef.
- Raspberries, blackberries, apples, and other fruits and vegetables with skin and seeds.
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Popcorn
- Bran from wheat
- Cold cereals high in fiber
- Peanut butter with a crunch
How Can I Avoid Diverticulitis?
The best approach to avoid diverticulitis is to change your food and lifestyle.
Here are a few pointers:
- Consume additional fiber by including whole-grain bread, oats, bran cereals, and fibrous fresh fruits and vegetables. However, increase fiber gradually. A rapid transition to a high-fiber diet might induce bloating and gas.
- Supplement your diet with an over-the-counter psyllium supplement made from Plantago psyllium. You may also try ground psyllium seed: once a day, sprinkle one teaspoon of ground psyllium seed over any cold beverage and drink quickly before the combination gels.
- If you increase your fiber consumption, drink lots of fluids (at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily).
- Avoid refined foods such as white flour, rice, and other processed meals.
- Regular exercise is a must. Training can assist your intestine’s muscles in maintaining tone and promoting regular bowel movements. If you desire to urinate, don’t put it off or ignore it.