It’s a myth that seeds and nuts leads to diverticulitis, perpetuated by this doctor in an article here:
Maddox said that before the attack, Kilpatrick ate a large bag of peanuts, popcorn and sunflower seeds, all of which could have contributed to the flare-up.
UptoDate says otherwise:
Patients with diverticular disease have historically been advised to avoid whole pieces of fiber (such as seeds, corn, and nuts) because of concern that the undigested fragments could become lodged within a diverticulum, thereby inciting an episode of diverticulitis. The commonly heard advice to avoid small undigestible foods (such as seeds) because they may theoretically become lodged in a diverticulum is completely unproven and is probably little more than an old wives’ tale. The authors have seen tens of thousands of diverticula and never seen a single seed!There continues to be considerable practice variation with regard to this recommendation. In a survey of colorectal surgeons, one-half believed that the avoidance of seeds and nuts was of no value. We have generally not recommended the avoidance of these specific foods.
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{ 5 comments }
Thank you for this post. I have dozens of patients asking me if they should continue avoiding eating popcorn and celery, etc. because their previous physician said so, due to their diverticular disease. I had read an article once that avoidance of seeds and nuts, etc. in diverticular disease is unproven. Can anyone point me to such an article so that I could post this in my office? Thanks!
DOES ANYONE HAVE A PARTICULAR LIST OF FOODS THAT MAY NOT BE EATEN AFTER AN ATTACK OF DIVERTICULITS??
You may well have data that indicates this old “wives tale” is not true. And it is certainly what my Doctor said, you can eat what you want with seeds and or nuts not posing as the real culprit. However, since my first flair up and diagnosis of diverticulitis I have had three follow up times of ilness. Once when I had eaten cocktail nuts, once with a nut infused cake and most recently with fresh cucumbers. Never did I eat in excess these items because I was trying/testing the waters. So to me the “old wives” tale is true.
Thanks for allowing my input.
Concerning diverticulitis: I had colon surgery on August 3rd for diverticulitis. I have been slowly recovering. Yesterday I had a flare-up of the same symptoms. I’m not sure my colon surgeon is knowledgeable enough to help me avoid further problems. Would a gastro enterologist be more appropriate to see?
This has driven me crazy as well. Twice I got a unbearable attach from Chinese food that had chili pepper (at least I think that’s what caused it).
The last time was a Burrito so either the beans or the spicy sauce made of peppers/onions (I didn’t see any seeds)
Does anyone here get an attach without eating anything related to seeds/nuts? Every major article and doctor who is under 60 seems to say it’s an old wives tale HOWEVER these things will irritate you if you are already having the attack.
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