Diverticula are small pouches that bulge through a weakness in the lining of the esophagus, small intestine and large intestine. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, they most often occur in the sigmoid colon. This disease that causes one or more of these pouches to become inflamed. Diverticulitis is more common over age 40, and at least 50 percent of those over 70 suffer from it. Eating a lot of low fiber foods is thought to increase the risk of developing the condition.
White Breads, Plain Cereals and Sugary Snack Foods
Along with aging, a diet containing many low fiber foods, slow moving waste matter and increased pressure in the intestine increases the chance of diverticula forming, which can lead to diverticulitis. White bread, plain cereals, such as corn flakes and cream of wheat, and sugary snack cakes and cookies containing refined white flour and sugar tend to be low in fiber. According to MayoClinic.com, fiber acts to soften the stool by absorbing water, which helps it pass more quickly out of the body. As waste passes through more easily, the pressure needed for the stool to pass through the digestive tract is reduced. MayoClinic.com suggests aiming for an intake of 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day, and if that is not possible, adding a fiber supplement, such as psyllium, to the diet.
Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Processed foods, including canned fruits, such as applesauce and fruit cocktail, and canned vegetables contain less fiber than their fresh or dried counterparts. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, diverticulitis first became prominent in the United States following the advent of processed foods in the early 1900s. Processed foods contain much lower amounts of fiber and when consumption of processed foods increased, it decreased the amount of fiber in the American diet. Fiber is the part of food that cannot be digested. There are 2 kinds of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Both types of fiber are needed to keep waste moving quickly through the digestive tract.
White Potatoes,White Rice, Nuts and Seeds
White potatoes without the skin and white rice are also low in fiber. Better choices to avoid developing diverticulitis include sweet potatoes, brown rice and whole grain pastas. White potatoes eaten with the skin do provide more fiber than plain mashed potatoes. According to eMedTV, 1 cup of cooked white rice contain 0.6 grams of fiber, while 1 cup of cooked brown rice contains 3.5 grams. Reports are conflicting concerning nuts and seeds. Some sources, such as MayoClinic.com report there is no need to avoid things like popcorn, nuts, sesame seeds and caraway seeds, while eMedTV warns against eating them. Consulting a physician about what nuts and seeds to avoid is advisable.
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