No, tomatoes are generally not bad for diverticulitis; current research shows that foods with seeds like tomatoes, nuts, and popcorn are safe and even beneficial for diverticular disease. The old advice to avoid them, based on a theory that seeds get trapped in pouches, is now considered outdated, with high-fiber foods actually helping to prevent flares.
Some people feel that certain high fibre foods such as multigrain breads, nuts, seeds and foods containing pips e.g. tomatoes, increase the risk of developing diverticulitis and therefore choose to avoid them. However, there is little evidence to support this.
"Many people who've experienced diverticulitis before will say they already know to avoid foods like nuts, seeds, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, popcorn, peanuts and almonds," Dr. Warner says. "This comes from an old theory that small food particles can get trapped in these pouches, leading to problems.
A Return to High-Fiber Foods
Tomato puree or tomato sauce is fine, as long as it does not have any added meat, mushrooms or chunks that may disrupt digestion. Watch for pips, the small, hard pieces of the tomato, and stick to smooth sauces.
To provide bland and easily digestible foods during diverticulitis flare-ups, the BRAT diet, which includes bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, is often recommended.
While no specific foods are proven to trigger diverticulitis attacks, a diet rich in high-fiber foods can help maintain digestive health and reduce the risk of complications. High-fiber foods soften waste, decreasing pressure in the digestive tract. Examples include: Fruits.
Cater says people with diverticulosis can benefit from eating fiber-rich foods, including: Whole grains, such as quinoa, bulgur, teff, barley, popcorn, oats, shredded wheat or bran cereals, and whole grain breads.
Foods such as nuts, popcorn hulls, and sunflower, pumpkin, caraway, and sesame seeds should be avoided. The seeds in tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, strawberries, and raspberries, as well as poppy seeds, are generally considered harmless.
A high-fibre diet can often ease symptoms of diverticular disease, and paracetamol can be used to relieve pain – other painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen are not recommended for regular use, as they can cause stomach upsets. Speak to your GP if paracetamol alone is not working.
Many dairy products are safe for your digestive system while you get well. You can try drinking fat-free, low-fat or reduced-fat milk. Yogurt also is OK, but don't add fiber-filled toppings such as nuts or granola. Mild cheeses, cottage cheese, sherbert and low-fat ice cream are some other dairy options.
Treatment may consist of measures including: Taking painkillers to reduce discomfort. These may be over-the-counter pain medicines such as paracetamol or stronger medicines that require a prescription. Taking Buscopan may help with cramping abdominal pain.
Avoid High FODMAP Foods in a Diverticulitis Diet
Diverticulosis occurs when small, bulging pouches (diverticula) develop in your digestive tract. When one or more of these pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis.
Alternative medicine
A few small clinical trials found evidence that probiotic supplements to increase good bacteria in the colon may reduce risk of new episodes of diverticulitis.
As pain eases and diverticulitis symptoms start improving, you add easy-to-digest foods: eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, smooth nut butters, white rice, plain pasta, canned fruit without skins, ripe bananas, and tender, well-cooked vegetables without skins or seeds.
Experts are not sure what causes diverticular disease. Research suggests that some possible causes may be related to genetic factors, a low-fiber diet, a diet high in red meat, lack of physical activity, obesity, some medicines, immune problems, or connective tissue problems in the colon.
No specific foods are known to trigger bouts of diverticulitis symptoms, also called attacks.
Causes of diverticular disease and diverticulitis
It's unclear why some people develop diverticula, or go on to get diverticular disease or diverticulitis. But increasing age and having a diet that's low in fibre are the main risk factors.
There are no specific foods you need to avoid. You do not need to avoid any foods such as nuts, seeds, corn, popcorn or tomatoes if you have diverticular disease. These foods do not make diverticular disease worse. These foods may even help prevent it because they are high fibre choices.
Stage I: Diverticulitis with phlegmon or localized pericolic or mesenteric abscess. This means there are inflammatory masses or abscesses in the fat surrounding the colon or the folds of the small intestine. Stage II: Diverticulitis with walled-off pelvic, intra-abdominal, or retroperitoneal abscess.
Diverticulitis Recovery Timeline
Recovering from a flare-up of diverticulitis could take as long as two weeks. 1 The first few days of recovering from uncomplicated diverticulitis at home will include following a liquid diet, resting, and using recommended medications for pain relief.
Starches with low fiber – You can eat potatoes as long as the skin is peeled away. The potatoes can be mashed, roasted, or baked. Low-fiber cereals – Corn flakes and puffed rice cereal are great low-fiber cereal options. Protein – You can eat eggs and egg whites, tofu, and meat or seafood.
In that case, the best soups are simple broths, like chicken, beef, or vegetable broth, with no chunks or solid pieces. These are easy on your gut and help it rest while you recover.