Several foods may worsen the symptoms of diverticulitis. Your dietary goal, if you have diverticulitis, is to eat foods that promote or allow for healing of your colon. A low-residue diet is recommended, as it leaves behind little or no residue in the colon. This diet is ideal, because food left behind may irritate the diverticula and potentially create an infection. Identifying foods that are bad for diverticulitis is essential to promote healing and decrease painful symptoms.
Whole Grains
Wake Forest Surgical Unit has prepared a high-residue diet in which several examples are provided for foods that provide bulk and residue for the colon. For diverticulitis patients, these foods should be avoided. In the bread category, whole-grain breads, whole-grain rolls, bran muffins and bran pancakes are foods to leave out of your diet.
Beans and Potatoes
Beans and potatoes with skins are typically encouraged for high-fiber and gut health. This is not the case for diverticulitis patients. Both groups of foods leave residue in the colon, which only aggravate diverticulitis symptoms. These foods include dried beans, peas, lima beans, corn, sweet potatoes with skin and the skin of white potatoes.
Fruits, Vegetables, Desserts, Nuts and Seeds
Many fruits, vegetables and dessert choices are high in residue, so these should be removed from your diet. Raw and dried fruits, apples, berries, dates, figs, pears, watermelon, canned pumpkin and pineapple in any form are all foods that are bad for diverticulitis. Vegetables to put on hold include fresh or frozen leafy greens, broccoli, squash, carrots and green beans. Cucumbers and lettuce are okay to eat. Desserts such as fruit pies, fig bars, fruit cake and coconut, as well as any nuts or seeds, should be avoided.
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