Can you eat seeds, nuts, and popcorn if you have diverticulosis? Can diet prevent diverticulitis? – Precision Digestive Care (2024)

Can you eat seeds, nuts, and popcorn if you have diverticulosis? Can diet prevent diverticulitis? – Precision Digestive Care (1)

Diverticulitis is a common and sometimes serious problem that affects several hundred thousand people each year. Diverticulitis is the condition where small outpouchings or “pockets” in the wall of the large intestine called diverticula become inflamed and infected, and typically presents as a constant lower abdominal pain, associated with fever or chills, and often bloating or constipation symptoms. Despite becoming even more common in recent years, not much is understood about why diverticulitis occurs.

Diet has long been implicated in the formation of these diverticula which can eventually become inflamed leading to diverticulitis (the condition of just having the pockets without an associated infection/inflammation is called diverticulosis). We know that diverticular disease is rare in countries where fiber intake is high, and we know that when populations change to a more westernized diet (poor in fiber/rich in protein, fat and processed sugars) the rate of diverticular disease rises accordingly. So if fiber is protective against developing diverticular disease in the first place, does it stand to reason that supplementing fiber when one already has diverticulosis will help prevent future complications?

The answer to the above question is unknown, but because fiber is a mostly harmless supplement and has other health benefits, we often recommend fiber supplementation to patients after they are diagnosed with diverticulosis or diverticulitis. But what about the common advice of avoiding seeds, nuts, corn, and popcorn that is readily doled out by some doctors and most family members/friends as soon as they hear the words diverticulosis or diverticulitis? One can reason that it makes common sense to try to avoid having sharp, hard, indigestible seeds getting stuck in a diverticulum and causing an abrasion or perforation which may lead to infection and other nastiness. But does this recommendation have any valid scientific reasoning behind it?

While I’m not sure when or where this recommendation started, it probably belongs more under the category of “old wives’ tale” rather than scientific fact. Let me explain my reasoning for this:

Can you eat seeds, nuts, and popcorn if you have diverticulosis? Can diet prevent diverticulitis? – Precision Digestive Care (2)

It is very commonly observed during colonoscopy that patients with diverticulosis are found to have a small ball of stool impacted in each and every diverticulum. Presumably, this is the natural state of affairs in the colon of the patient with diverticulosis. So if small hard pellets of stool (mostly composed of indigestible waste and bacterial mass) do not cause an infection, why would a small seed or nut cause a problem? Nevertheless, people still take great pains to avoid seeds, nuts, and corn, causing themselves a fair amount of grief when it comes to meal options. Is this all worth it?

I would reason that it is not necessary to avoid seed and nuts if you have diverticular disease. Probably the best evidence we have that seeds, nuts, corn, and popcorn do not cause complications in patients with diverticular disease comes from a study published in JAMA in 2008 showing that not only was intake of nuts, seeds, popcorn, and corn NOT associated with developing diverticulitis, but in fact the opposite was true. Eating more seeds, nuts, corn, and popcorn actually seemed to be associated with LESS of a chance of developing diverticulitis! These foods are thought to be somewhat anti-inflammatory, and therefore may protect against diverticulitis.

So what is the ideal diet to prevent development of diverticular disease? I think it is pretty obvious that a high-fiber diet is king in preventing the development of diverticulosis. But what if you are late to the high-fiber party but still want to make some changes to prevent that next attack of diverticulitis? Starting a high-fiber diet later in life may still help to reduce the progression of more diverticula, but unfortunately there is no way to reverse the existing diverticula (besides surgical resection of the diseased segment of colon). However, there are still diet changes you can make that might help.

It seems that diets high in red meat are also associated with the development of diverticulitis. This is independent of the effect of fiber, as red-meat eaters develop diverticulitis more often than their vegetarian counterparts even after controlling for fiber intake between the groups. What is more interesting is that researchers found that the recent diet for the past 1-4 years before developing diverticulitis seemed to shape the risk more than the lifelong diet habits. That means that changing to a high-fiber, low-red-meat diet now can still lessen your chance of developing diverticulitis in the near future. But look at the bright side–at least you can eat all the seeds, nuts, corn, and popcorn you want!

Can you eat seeds, nuts, and popcorn if you have diverticulosis? Can diet prevent diverticulitis? – Precision Digestive Care (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat seeds, nuts, and popcorn if you have diverticulosis? Can diet prevent diverticulitis? – Precision Digestive Care? ›

When the diverticula aren't inflamed, they usually don't cause symptoms. In the past, people with diverticula were told not to eat nuts, seeds and popcorn. It was thought that these foods could lodge in diverticula and inflame them, causing diverticulitis. But there's no proof that these foods cause diverticulitis.

Can you eat nuts and popcorn with diverticulosis? ›

Pay attention to symptoms and follow a healthy lifestyle.

"You don't have to worry about eating nuts, seeds, or popcorn. The evidence does not show a higher risk of diverticulitis in people who eat a lot of those foods, compared with people who don't," says gastroenterologist Dr. Lawrence S.

Can I eat seeds if I have diverticulosis? ›

Seeds and nuts — Patients with diverticular disease have historically been advised to avoid whole pieces of fiber (such as seeds, corn, and nuts) because of concern that these foods could cause an episode of diverticulitis. However, this belief is completely unproven.

What nuts are okay to eat with diverticulosis? ›

Fruit, especially blackberries and raspberries, but also avocado, blueberries, strawberries, apples and pears (with the skin on), kiwi and oranges. Seeds such as sunflower, pumpkin, flax and chia. Nuts such as almonds, pistachios and pecans.

Which diet is recommended to prevent diverticulosis and diverticulitis? ›

Eat a high-fiber diet when you have diverticulosis. Fiber softens the stool and helps prevent constipation. It also can help decrease pressure in the colon and help prevent flare-ups of diverticulitis.

What cereal can I eat with diverticulosis? ›

Yes-Foods
  • High fiber cereals (>6g fiber per serving): Fiber One, Kashi Go Lean, Kashi Good Friends, All Bran, 100% Bran Flakes, McCanns steel cut oatmeal, Kashi Go Lean hot cereal.
  • Whole grain bread & rolls (>2g fiber per slice): whole wheat, oat bran, wheat bran, spelt, rye bread, bran muffins.
Feb 29, 2024

Can you eat sesame seeds with diverticulitis? ›

Avoidance of nuts, popcorn, and sunflower, pumpkin, caraway, and sesame seeds has been recommended by physicians out of fear that food particles could enter, block, or irritate the diverticula. However, no scientific data support this treatment measure.

Can you eat peanut butter with diverticulosis? ›

In the past, people with diverticula were told not to eat nuts, seeds and popcorn. It was thought that these foods could lodge in diverticula and inflame them, causing diverticulitis. But there's no proof that these foods cause diverticulitis.

Are strawberry seeds bad for diverticulosis? ›

At one time, doctors recommended avoiding nuts, popcorn, seeds and even fruits or vegetables with seeds (like tomatoes or strawberries). But recent studies suggest those foods do not contribute to flare-ups and are fine to eat.

Should you eat blueberries with diverticulosis? ›

As long as you are not in the acute phase of diverticulitis, it's OK to eat nuts, corn and popcorn. It's also OK to eat small fruits with seeds, such as strawberries and blueberries. Research has found that these foods are not associated with an increased diverticulitis risk.

Should you eat bananas if you have diverticulosis? ›

Your healthcare provider may advise a liquid diet. This gives your bowel a chance to rest so that it can recover. Include these foods: flake cereal, mashed potatoes, pancakes, waffles, pasta, white bread, rice, applesauce, bananas, eggs, fish, poultry, tofu, and well-cooked vegetables.

What calms diverticulosis? ›

This article looks at seven potential home remedies for diverticulitis, as well as some complications of the condition and when to see a doctor.
  • Try a liquid diet. ...
  • Adopt a low fiber diet. ...
  • Get more vitamin D. ...
  • Apply a heat pad. ...
  • Try probiotics. ...
  • Get more exercise. ...
  • Try herbal remedies.

What fruits should be avoided with diverticulosis? ›

Diverticulitis Diet: What Not to Eat

But high-fiber foods are harder to digest, and avoiding these foods during a flare-up can help get your symptoms under control. Some high-fiber foods to stay away from during this time include: Fresh fruit, especially apples, pears, and raspberries.

Can you eat popcorn with diverticulitis? ›

Tell patients with diverticular disease that they can eat nuts, corn, and popcorn without fear. There is no truth to the long-held belief that these foods increase the risk of complications.

Can you eat salad with diverticulosis? ›

You can add vegetables to the foods that you are eating or have soup, salad or cooked vegetables on the side; Increasing your fiber intake slowly; And taking in enough fluids along with the high fiber foods. Go for water, seltzer, club soda, and herbal teas.

How to prevent diverticulosis from turning into diverticulitis? ›

How can you prevent diverticulitis?
  1. Eat fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains every day. ...
  2. Drink plenty of fluids. ...
  3. Get at least 2½ hours of moderate to vigorous exercise a week. ...
  4. Take a fibre supplement (such as Benefibre or Metamucil) every day if needed. ...
  5. Schedule time each day for a bowel movement.

Can you eat peanut butter and jelly with diverticulosis? ›

A diagnosis of diverticulitis no longer means you have a long list of foods to avoid. At one time, doctors recommended avoiding nuts, popcorn, seeds and even fruits or vegetables with seeds (like tomatoes or strawberries). But recent studies suggest those foods do not contribute to flare-ups and are fine to eat.

Should you eat raisins if you have diverticulosis? ›

Foods to avoid:

Some physicians recommend avoiding foods that may get stuck in the diverticula, such as popcorn, raisins, whole kernel corn, and peanuts. However, there is no proof that seeds and nuts increase risk for diverticulitis.

What desserts are ok with diverticulitis? ›

Liquid Diet:

Milkshakes. Ice cream or ice pops- no fruit or chocolate chips! Tea. Pudding.

References

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