Diverticulitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the diverticula of the small intestine. Diverticulitis can also be caused by an infection of these small pouches called diverticula. (1) These pouches can form anywhere in the digestive tract, but it is most common to see them formed at the end of the colon or in the first section of the small intestine.
This can be an acute or chronic condition, and in chronic conditions, the inflammation and or infection may not completely go away. This is where diet comes in and why it is so important to watch what you eat as some foods are known to make diverticulitis worse.
Whether you suffer from acute or chronic diverticulitis, your doctor may recommend a diverticulitis diet to support your treatment plan. Your doctor may recommend a diverticulitis diet for a few days until you start to feel better. (2) However, there are also some foods you may want to avoid long-term to help reduce inflammation and prevent flare-ups.
Here is a list of foods to avoid with diverticulitis.
When it comes to controlling diverticulitis, it’s important to speak with your doctor about an appropriate diet plan, especially if you are in the midst of a flare-up. There are a number of dietary steps you can take to try to control inflammation and reduce symptoms. So, speak with your doctor about eliminating or at least reducing the foods on this list to see if you can start to better manage your symptoms and control inflammation.
Rebecca Jacobs N.C is a Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant, specializing in digestive and women’s health. She doesn’t believe in dieting but rather making lifestyle changes, and believes that healthy eating must be delicious. Rebecca is also a recipe developer and creates healthier alternatives to traditionally unhealthy foods.