This disease is very common. One in every three Australians over the age of 45 and one in two over the age of 85 have it.
Diverticular Disease is when small pockets form in the wall of the bowel. The condition is made up of two states.
- Diverticulosis – when the pockets are not inflamed.
- Diverticulitis – when the pockets are inflamed. It can cause diarrhea, constipation, pain, bloating, and bleeding.
FIBRE: The Key Ingredient
During diverticulosis, a high fibre diet is recommended. If you need to build up your fibre intake, do so slowly and drink plenty of water.
During diverticulitis, a low fibre diet is recommended.
Diverticular Disease: Myth Busting
It is a myth that people with diverticular disease need to avoid corn, nuts, and seeds altogether.
These foods should be included if there is no inflammation as these foods are high in fibre. They only need to be avoided in times of inflammation.
Diverticulitis Diet – LOW FIBRE
Your Day on A Plate
Breakfast:
Two slices of white toast topped with half a cup of ricotta cheese and a drizzle of honey = 2.4g fibre
Snack:
A handful of plain rice crackers and two slices of cheese = 0.3g fibre
Lunch
Omelette made of two eggs, half a peeled zucchini and a handful of button mushrooms, served with feta cheese and two slices white toast = 4.9g fibre
Snack:
One latte and 100g canned peaches = 2g fibre
Dinner:
Stir fry made of 100g lamb steak, one cup of white rice, half a cup of broccoli florets and oyster sauce = 3.3g fibre
Dessert:
One cup of watermelon = 0.6g fibre
Diverticulosis Diet – HIGH FIBRE
Your Day on A Plate
Breakfast:
Half a cup of natural muesli, a small tub of yoghurt, 30g of macadamias, and one passionfruit = 11.4g fibre
Snack:
One latte and one banana = 2.2g fibre
Lunch
Salad made of half a cup of chickpeas, a quarter of an avocado, lettuce, tomato and cucumber, dressed in extra virgin olive oil. Served with a small wholemeal bread roll = 4.9g fibre
Snack:
Four wholegrain crispbreads topped with half a cup of ricotta cheese and one sliced tomato = 2.4g fibre
Dinner:
100g lamb steak served with a roasted vegetable, lentil, and feta salad = 9.3g fibre
Dessert:
One punnet of strawberries = 6.3g fibre
