Diverticulosis is a chronic digestive disorder that creates small pouches on the inner lining of your large intestine. During this chronic phase of diverticular disease, you should opt for a high-fiber diet. When those pouches become irritated and inflamed, you have a more acute condition known as diverticulitis. Your physician will recommend a clear liquid diet for 2 to 3 days after your diverticulitis flare-ups and transition you to a low-fiber diet after that. She will limit your intake of specific meat products to allow your colon to rest.
Solid Particles of Meat
When you first experience the abdominal cramping and other symptoms of diverticulitis, it's time to switch to a clear liquid diet, says MayoClinic.com. This particular diet allows you to drink most fluids you can see through, as well as foods that melt to form clear liquids at room temperature. You can enjoy consommé, broth or bouillon made from meat as long as there are no solid particles of meat in the liquid. By eliminating solid bits of meat and other foods, the clear liquid diet gives your colon a chance to rest and reduces the inflammation in the diverticular pouches.
Tough or Stringy Cuts
Once you have graduated to a low-fiber diet, you can start eating tender cuts of meat, poultry and fish. Ground meat is a good choice, but make sure you cook it well. Although fiber is found in plants and not in animal foods, such as meat, you still need to reduce the amount of food residue that passes into your colon. Limit yourself to two or three daily servings of 2 to 3 oz. of meat, states Drugs.com. Avoid tough or stringy meats such as beef jerky or corned beef.
Breaded Meats
Until you're back on a high-fiber diet for long-term management of your diverticular disease, don't eat meats with a breaded or crusty coating. These coatings are typically made with whole grains or grain products that contribute a significant amount of fiber to your diet.
Meats with Seeds
You should also avoid eating luncheon meats with seeds while you're on a low-fiber diet. These seeds are particularly high in insoluble fiber and can irritate the diverticular pouches in your colon.
Member Comments