More than 10 percent of U.S. residents over the age of 40, and half of those over 60, have a chronic digestive disorder called diverticulosis, states the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, or NIDDK. If you're one of those individuals, the lining of your large intestine contains small bulging pouches known as diverticula. When these diverticula become inflamed, you experience an acute disorder called diverticulitis. Your doctor will advise you to limit fiber-rich foods like peas during these acute attacks.
Symptoms
Many people have no symptoms related to their diverticulosis, but others experience abdominal cramping, pain, bloating and constipation. Diverticulitis can cause severe pain or tenderness in your lower left abdomen along with a change in bowel habits, nausea and vomiting, chills and fever. High-fiber foods worsen these symptoms during an acute episode of diverticulitis, says NIDDK.
Effects
Once you've been diagnosed with diverticular disease, you'll learn to read your body's cues and adjust your diet accordingly. Because they keep stool soft and lower the pressure inside your colon to allow stool to pass through easily, high-fiber foods like peas help avoid the inflammation of the diverticula that leads to diverticulitis, says NIDDK. Once diverticulitis does develop, however, the added bulk of the high-fiber stools irritates the diverticula and worsens your symptoms.
Time Frame
When you are diagnosed with diverticulitis, your physician may ask you to stay on a clear liquid diet for two to three days and then gradually transition to a low-fiber diet for a month or so. After that, you can return to your high-fiber diet.
Sources
Fiber comes from portions of grains, vegetables and fruits that aren't digested in your stomach and intestines. Peas, beans, lentils and other legumes are considered high-fiber foods, and they are not appropriate during an attack of diverticulitis, according to Drugs.com.
Tips
As your diverticulitis symptoms subside, add fiber to your diet cautiously while monitoring the effect it has on your pain and bowel habits. Start with low-fiber foods like canned fruits and vegetables without seeds or skins, MayoClinic.com recommends. You can incorporate peas into your meals when it's time to switch to a high-fiber diet. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids so your body can produce soft stools that pass easily through your intestines.
