Have you ever had a sudden stomach ache, nausea, and vomiting, and your doctor told you that you have a condition called diverticulitis? When that happens, you may have trouble figuring out what to eat and what not to eat, right? This can be a bit of a worry. But don't worry. Let's talk about everything clearly and simply.
First, let's understand what this disease is.
Simply put, as we age, we can develop small, bubble-like, or pouch-like, areas in the wall of our large intestine. We call these little pouches diverticula. When they just exist, they are called diverticulosis. Most of the time, we don't even know we have them, because they can be there for years without any symptoms.
However, if there is an infection or inflammation inside these small pouches, that is what we call diverticulitis . This is when the symptoms mentioned earlier such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, fever, constipation or diarrhea appear.
When we have symptoms like these, the most important thing we need to do is give our digestive system, that is, our intestines, a little rest.
What should you drink when the disease worsens (flare-up)?
When your symptoms are severe, your doctor may tell you to stop eating solid foods completely for a few days. This is called 'bowel rest.' This gives your intestines the time and rest they need to heal.
After that, you will be told to only drink liquids for two to three days. But not just any liquids, only clear liquids . Examples of these are:
- Oil-free, clear meat or vegetable broth (Clear broth)
- Non-astringent fruit juice (e.g. apple juice)
- Water (regular or carbonated)
- Sports drinks
- Tea or coffee made without milk or cream
You can suck on ice cubes, eat jelly without fruit pieces, or even eat ice packs without fruit pieces or ice.
How do you start eating after liquids?
After a few days of eating liquid food, you will gradually start to feel better. When the symptoms subside, the doctor will tell you to gradually start eating solid foods.
There is something very important here. At this time, you should choose low-fiber , that is, easily digestible foods. You may have heard that you should eat more fiber to prevent diverticulitis. That is true. But that is when you are healthy and free of the disease. When you have symptoms, we should stay away from foods that contain fiber.
Follow this low-fiber diet for 2-3 days, or as long as your doctor recommends.
| Type of food | Things you can eat |
|---|---|
| Protein | Eggs, chicken, turkey, fish |
| Carbohydrates | White bread, white rice, white pasta |
| Fruits and vegetables | Boiled or canned fruits and vegetables with skins and seeds removed, unpeeled fruit and vegetable juices |
| Other | Low-fiber cereals, milk, yogurt, cheese |
Let's also learn about the BRAT diet.
You may have heard of something called the BRAT diet. It is said to be helpful in treating diverticulitis. BRAT stands for:
- Banana
- Rice (especially white rice)
- Applesauce (boiled and mashed apples)
- Toast (white bread toast)
These foods are very easy to digest. So they can be helpful during times of illness. But remember, this diet is very low in nutrients. So it's not good to do this long-term. As always, it's best to talk to your doctor and decide what diet is right for you.
Foods to avoid when you are sick
As we've talked about before, during the worst of the illness, you need to give your intestines a break. That means avoiding high-fiber foods that are difficult to digest. While these foods are usually very good for your body, it's wise to stay away from them during this special time.
| Type of food | Things to avoid |
|---|---|
| Raw fruit | Fruits like apples, pears, raspberries |
| Vegetables | High-fiber vegetables like beans, green peas, and broccoli |
| Grains and nuts | Legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, and green beans |
| Bread and rice | Whole wheat bread, whole grain bread, brown rice |
| Other | Nuts like popcorn and pistachios |
After you're well, here's what to eat to prevent recurrence:
Once your symptoms are completely gone, your goal should be to prevent the condition from recurring. Research has found that following a high-fiber diet can reduce the risk of recurrence.
So, here are the things you should add to your diet when you are healthy:
- Whole grains: wholemeal bread, brown rice, oats, quinoa.
- Legumes: chickpeas, peas, lentils, green beans.
- Vegetables: Any vegetable like spinach, cabbage, broccoli, carrots.
- Fruit: Berries, apples and pears (with peel), oranges.
- Nuts: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, pistachios.
Eating too much fiber all at once can make you feel full. So add it to your diet gradually. And don't forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day .
Is it good to eat nuts and popcorn? True or not?
In the past, doctors told people with diverticulitis not to eat small grains, nuts, or seeds because they were afraid that the small pieces would get stuck in the pouches in the intestines and cause infection.
However, recent research has proven that this is a misconception. In fact, things like nuts and beans are high in fiber and healthy for the body. It has now been discovered that eating them prevents the development of this disease, but does not cause it. Therefore, do not be afraid to eat these when you are healthy.
Take-Home Message
- Diverticulitis is an infection of the small pouches in the intestines.
- During flare-ups, switch to clear liquids first, then low-fiber foods. This will give your intestines a break.
- Once symptoms have completely resolved, adopt a high-fiber diet to prevent future relapses.
- Things like nuts and seeds don't cause disease. There are benefits to eating them when you're healthy.
- If you have any questions about your diet or symptoms, be sure to talk to your doctor.
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