Diverticulosis refers to the presence of small, bulging pouches in the lining of your colon. Of the approximate 10 percent of Americans over age 40 that have diverticulosis, 10 to 25 percent experience painful inflammation, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. This condition is known as diverticulitis. You may also experience lower-left abdominal tenderness, cramps, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and/or digestive irregularity. Dietary changes may help reduce the severity or frequency of your symptoms.
Enriched Flour
Enriched flour is a refined grain, meaning much of the grain has been removed during food processing. As a result, enriched flour contains fewer nutrients and less fiber than whole grains. MayoClinic.com recommends a high-fiber diet as a useful way to slow the progression of diverticular disease. Limiting enriched flour products can help you accomplish this. Common sources of enriched flour include enriched white and wheat breads, enriched pasta, flour tortillas, saltine crackers, pretzels and commercially-prepared pizza crust, dinner rolls, cookies and cakes.
Fatty Meats
Fatty meats, such as organ meats, deli meats, pork ribs, porterhouse steak and sausage, provide rich amounts of saturated fat. According to a report published in the August 2008 "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology," diverticular disease may be closely linked to a Western-style diet, which is low in fiber and high in saturated fat. Fatty meats may trigger or worsen inflammation and provide less room in your diet for beneficial protein sources, such as cold-water fish. To improve your symptoms, replace fatty meats with fish, skinless white meat poultry or legumes, which contain protein and valuable amounts of fiber.
Added Sugars
Added sugars are ingredients that add sweet flavor and calories to foods, but few nutritional benefits. Foods and beverages rich in added sugars, such as regular soft drinks, frozen desserts, candy, milk chocolate, sugary cereals, frosting, pancake syrup, jelly and commercially-prepared pies, cookies and doughnuts, typically contain little fiber. To prevent or reduce diverticulitis symptoms, replace sugar-rich foods with fiber and nutrient-rich foods, such as whole fruits and vegetables.
Trans-Fats
Trans-fats, or trans-fatty acids, are fats produced through a process in which hydrogen is added to vegetable oil. Trans-fats are prevalent in typical Western-style diets and significantly damage your cholesterol levels and heart-health. Trans-fats also promote inflammation, according to MayoClinic.com. Replacing trans-fat sources with non-inflammatory foods may help reduce diverticulitis symptoms. Common sources of trans-fats include margarine, shortening, fast food and commercially-prepared foods that list partially hydrogenated vegetable oil as an ingredient.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Facts and Treatment
- MayoClinic.com: Diverticulitis: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology"; Diverticulosis and Colorectal Cancer: Between Lights and Shadows; Morini, Sergio M.D.; Zullo, Angelo M.D.; Hassan, Cesare M.D., et al; Aug 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Trans-Fat: Double Trouble for Your Heart Health
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