There is a lot of confusing information out there about which foods to avoid if you suffer from diverticulitis.
We recently did a survey on the End Diverticulitis website. In this survey, we asked people to rate foods based on the problem they caused. Specifically when they felt fine, that is, they had diverticulosis (as opposed to diverticulitis), so they didn’t have any pain.
Basically, diverticulosis is where you have the pouches, and diverticulitis is where the pouches are inflamed (usually sore).
These are the foods most people said they had trouble with. The foods that would trigger an outbreak of diverticulitis.
If you are not in pain and are not taking any diverticulitis medications (ie antibiotics), take a close look at these foods and food groups and try to avoid them.
These foods were rated HIGH RISK by our respondents. You would seek to exclude them from your diet. Just remember that even though most people said they caused problems, they may not cause problems with you personally. These are just the recommendations based on the survey we did for the End Diverticulitis website.
These are the foods you should avoid according to the survey report.
1. Stress: Although it is not a food, it is considered the biggest problem in our survey.
2. Walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, etc.
3. Sesame Seeds, this will include sesame seed buns and burgers.
4. Corn (any corn, popcorn, sweet corn, even cornmeal and tortillas)
5. Chili’s and peppers, hot and spicy.
I’d also like to add a couple of things that got specific mention, these weren’t rated because they weren’t in a question on the initial survey, but they were specifically mentioned by many people as an issue and something to avoid.
1. V8 Tomato Juice
2. Iceberg Lettuce
3. Fried, fried or greasy foods.
4. Onions,
5. Raw vegetables
One thing that came out of the survey was that some people had no problems with even the above (except stress). So it seems that the things that affect you can be very personal.
How do you approach a diet for diverticulitis? this is not a strict rule, it is just a suggestion.
Eliminate from your diet initially.
Walnuts, corn, sesame seeds and chili peppers. Also tomato juice (V8 tomato juice was mentioned several times, however I think all tomato juices should be questioned). Iceberg lettuce (try other options like Cos Lettuce or baby spinach leaves, my favorite), cooked and fatty foods, onions and raw vegetables. This should immediately help reduce problems with your diverticulitis.
Nuts is fun, a lot of people say they’re no good, and a lot of people say they’re okay. Bottom line (pardon the pun), leave them out to start with and then try a few here and there. But don’t overdo it.
Skip the corn, sesame seeds, and chili peppers (or hot and spicy foods) all together.
So, after you’ve eliminated them from your diet, what do you do?
Well, after all the survey responses we had, if you really miss food, when you feel good and well again, you might as well try it. Small batch only, don’t overdo it. Just a few and see how it goes. Keep a food journal so you know how things are progressing. But generally, things like nuts are probably okay, they were a 50/50 food in the survey, and current medical thinking suggests they’re okay.
But if you feel good and don’t really miss them, why bother?
There are usually loads of food options no matter where you go, so why not leave out the questionable ones?