Diverticula are small pouches that bulge outward from the large intestine. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, approximately 10 percent of people over the age of 40 have diverticula, also called diverticulosis. When one or more diverticulum becomes inflamed or infected, it results in an often painful condition called diverticulitis.
Whole Foods
During the acute, or most painful, phase of diverticulitis, a patient will typically be put on a regimen of antibiotics and colon rest to aid in healing the infection. Colon rest means placing the patient on a total liquid diet until symptoms improve. No whole foods are consumed until the colon crisis has passed. Afterward, high-fiber foods will slowly be reintroduced into the diet.
Processed Foods
Once the acute phase of diverticulitis has passed, gradually adding adequate amounts of fiber is recommended by the NDDIC to keep stool soft and moving through the intestines. Highly processed foods lack the fiber found in fruits and vegetables and contribute to constipation. Dr. Michael Picco of the Mayo Clinic recommends that patients focus on eating a healthy diet rich in fiber.
Nuts and Seeds
According to the NDDIC, physicians have long recommended that patients avoid food items such as nuts and popcorn as well as seeds like sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds. At this time there is no scientific data that supports this recommendation, the fear is that these items may pass into the large intestine and block or become ensnared in the diverticula.
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