Diverticulosis is extremely prevalent in people over the age of 60. If you’ve been diagnosed or may be diagnosed with diverticulosis in the future, your doctor may suggest changes in diet to help alleviate your symptoms. Below, we’ll take a look at 7 essential foods for diverticulosis.
What Is diverticulosis?
Diverticulitis is a condition that disturbs your digestive tract, causing inflamed pockets called diverticula in the lining of the intestine. In most cases, the diverticula occur in the large intestine, otherwise known as the colon. For most people, this is a benign condition. However, some people find themselves dealing with ongoing symptoms of abdominal pain or tenderness and a change in their bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation. When the pockets become inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis and is more serious.
Using Lifestyle and Diet Changes to Treat Diverticulosis
A preventative lifestyle change plan would include the minimal use of alcohol, getting regular exercise, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight. A sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor, so ensuring you aren't sitting for long periods at a time may also be helpful.
Symptoms of Diverticulosis
While most people show no symptoms, others may display symptoms of cramping, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.
Best Foods for Diverticulosis
Your doctor may suggest adding more fiber to your eating routine as a high-fiber diet can assist with diverticulosis. It’s important to introduce the additional fiber slowly as to avoid bloating, gas, or diarrhea. Here are some of the best high-fiber foods for treating your diverticulosis:
- Black beans and kidney beans: Legumes in general have a lot of fiber and other nutrients that are beneficial for the body
- Nuts and seeds: almonds, chia seeds, pistachios, etc. have large amounts of fiber.
- Oats: oats are among the highest fiber foods available. They also contain a powerful soluble fiber called oat beta-glucan, which can also be beneficial to blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
- Fruit: fruits like raspberries, pears, apples, bananas and more have significant amounts of fiber.
- Vegetables: certain vegetables are also high in fiber like carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and artichokes.
- Whole grains: such as quinoa and brown rice contain a lot of fiber.
Your doctor may also recommend you take fiber supplements. Probiotics may also alleviate some of the uncomfortable symptoms you experience.
With a high-fiber diet filled with all the healthy fruits, vegetables, and whole grains listed above, you may be able to treat your condition with a healthy diverticulosis diet. Schedule a consult with the colorectal specialists at the Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay.