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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Is diverticulitis preventable?
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Chris Fonda
Dietitian, Nutritionist, Sports Dietitian
As an Accredited Sports Dietitian, APD and athlete (springboard diver), Chris has both professional and personal experience in sport at the sub-elite and elite level.Chris … View Profile
The good news is that diverticulitis is PREVENTABLE. Often the preceeding condition to diverticulitis is diverticulosis and together it is known as diverticular disease. Diverticulosis occurs when the bowels are placed under constant strain trying to pass hard stools through for elimination. This is often due to little dietary fibre. Over time little pockets form (diverticula) which can become inflammed leading to diverticulitis (itis = meaning inflammation).
To prevent the occurance of diverticular disease it is recommended to consume a diet high in fibre, men need 30g and women 25g of dietary fibre daily. When reading labels aim for wholegrain breads, cereals, pasta and rice that contains around 3g or more fibre per serve. Other foods which contain fibre include fruits and vegetables (with the skins on) and oats.
I hope this helps. If you need any further advice seek the expert advice from an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) who can provide you with more practical tips on how to incorporate more dietary fibre into your diet.Report this post
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Samantha Ling
Dietitian, Nutritionist
Samantha is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD), consultant and food and nutrition enthusiast. Samantha works in a private practice on the Central Coast, NSW, Rostant … View Profile
As Chris mentioned, Diverticular is definitely preventable! Just adding to what Chris has covered, the chance of developing Diverticular disease increases with age and is often more common in people with a low fibre diet. A diet with adequate dietary fibre (~30g/day) produces bulkier stools that stretches the colon, reducing pressure on the colon and therefore the chance of developing diverticular (as Chris throughly explained above).
Foods high in fibre include:
1) Wholemeal and wholegrain breads, cereals, rices and pasta
- aim for ~5 serves per day
2) Legumes (eg. chickpeas, lentils, baked beans, kidney beans etc)
- in conjunction with vegetables aim for at least 5 serves per day
3) Vegetables and Salad (eg. carrot, celery, caiuliflower, peas, corn, cucumber etc)
- in conjunction with legumes aim for at least 5 serves per day
4) Fruit (try and consume the fruit with the skin where possible)
- aim for 2 serves per day
5) Nuts and Seeds
Remember, when increasing your fibre intake it is very important to also increase your overall fluid intake - aim for ~8 glasses of water (2 litres) everyday, not including caffeine containing beverages such as coffee, tea or softdrink.
An Accredited Practicing Dietitian can assist with implementing a high fibre diet into your lifestyle based on the types of foods you currently enjoy to eat.
Hope you find all feedback useful!
Samantha Ling
Rostant Nutrition
(Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rostantnutrition )Report this post
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HealthShare Member
Hi, I have had a perforated bowel due to diverticulitis.
in response to above post, i have read conflicting reports about whether people with diverticular disease should eat peas, corn, nuts and seeds.
can you please clarify?
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