Diverticulosis...seeds and nuts or no???

[swils8610]

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis 10 years ago. I’ve had 5 or 6 flare ups over the years. Maybe a few more. My doctor originally told me to stay away from seeds, nuts, corn etc. I’ve always paid pretty close attention to my diet. The antibiotics are the worst to be on. My new doctor says that’s all an old wives tale now and eat what you want. I’ve read many articles stating the same thing. I was never hospitalized with it. Always caught it very early. Anyone here have any advice?


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[MonBK]

Originally Posted by swils8610

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis 10 years ago. I’ve had 5 or 6 flare ups over the years. Maybe a few more. My doctor originally told me to stay away from seeds, nuts, corn etc. I’ve always paid pretty close attention to my diet. The antibiotics are the worst to be on. My new doctor says that’s all an old wives tale now and eat what you want. I’ve read many articles stating the same thing. I was never hospitalized with it. Always caught it very early. Anyone here have any advice?


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Yes, listen to your doctor.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Yes, listen to your doctor.

Agree with this.

My father in law has it, and it does appear that food sets it off. And then he’s a wreck. Recently spent a week in the hospital.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by swils8610

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis 10 years ago. I’ve had 5 or 6 flare ups over the years. Maybe a few more. My doctor originally told me to stay away from seeds, nuts, corn etc. I’ve always paid pretty close attention to my diet. The antibiotics are the worst to be on. My new doctor says that’s all an old wives tale now and eat what you want. I’ve read many articles stating the same thing. I was never hospitalized with it. Always caught it very early. Anyone here have any advice?


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My dad got the no seeds advice from his doctor last summer. It seems there may be some conflicting guidance in the medical community.

Eat a bag of trail mix and tell us how it went.

[swils8610]

My old primary said don’t eat seeds or nuts. My new primary says the opposite.


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[Laszlo]

I would listen to the doctor and be very cautious about what you read online. My father had it and almost died because of nuts in a Snickers bar.

[gmh1013]

My wife has suffered for 10 years or more with this....one doc says dont the other says it does not matter....i would be with the side that says no.
She was in so much pain last time they gave her dilaudid f
or 3 days

[Andad]

No seeds or nuts.

Choose your fibre very carefully.

Trust me if not your doc.

Once they enter the pockets they can cause big problems.

I had diverticulitis bouts for many years and this ended up with an abscess in my bowel in 2012.
The surgeon removed about half a meter of the problem and touch wood I have had no issues since then.

Good luck.

[AzPaul]

Considering the problems and pain associated with the flare ups, why press it? I'd think it wise to wait a few years and see if the newer guidelines are working for people or if they're generating complaints.

[Bluside]

Originally Posted by swils8610

My old primary said don’t eat seeds or nuts. My new primary says the opposite.


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Same here. I don't think they really know for sure. Sure sucks though.

[andromeda160]

My Grandmas brother died from a flare up when I was 5 and he didn't even know he had it. Went into the hospital and was dead a day or 2 later. The flare ups seem alot like MS for the fact that some people rarely get them and some people have it worse than others. Personally id do anything in my powers to minimize the risk of a flare up. Are seeds and nuts really that tasty? I enjoy almonds, cashews and pistachios but could easily give them up if it was potentially hazardous to my health.

[joeychitwood]

From the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota:

In the past, doctors recommended that people with small pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the colon avoid nuts and foods with small seeds, such as tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries. ... In fact, eating a high-fiber diet — which may include moderate amounts of nuts and seeds — may reduce your risk of diverticulitis.

[Blansky]

As someone who has been Primal/Paleo for seven or eight years I don’t eat grains anyway as they have no nutritional value. If you need fiber eat salads.

If you’re interested read The Primal Blueprint.

Good luck in your quest.

[swils8610]

I will continue to be conservative with my diet.


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[Any4xx]

Seems as if opinions are contrary. I guess it’s just safer to avoid them though. My dad has had it for many years. My wife is an RN and researches these things to death. Her take is that seeds do not hurt him. But like you, he avoids them anyway.

[joeychitwood]

From the American College of Gastroenterology. As a physician, I know of no organization more qualified to issue a recommendation.

"People with diverticulosis are sometimes instructed to avoid foods that contain indigestible particles such as popcorn, nuts, and fruits with small seeds. However, a large study with detailed information on diet found that people who frequently ate nuts or popcorn were NOT more likely to experience diverticulitis than those who did not eat these foods. Therefore, it is no longer recommended that people with diverticulosis or diverticulitis avoid these foods."

[swils8610]

Ah! Hence my confusion! Truthfully, the risk of eating seeds or nuts is prob not worth the reward. 10 days of antibiotics is miserable. Cipro and Flagyl are awful.


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[rogue828]

I have this also and have had three flare ups. Any small seeds,nuts or hard to digest food items can find their way to these pockets. I drink plenty of water which helps to keep the pipes working. My brother has this but never goes to a doctor. Last month his wife gives him hemp seeds and in two days, he barely made it to a hospital just before his appendix was going to burst..

[Andad]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

From the American College of Gastroenterology. As a physician, I know of no organization more qualified to issue a recommendation.

"People with diverticulosis are sometimes instructed to avoid foods that contain indigestible particles such as popcorn, nuts, and fruits with small seeds. However, a large study with detailed information on diet found that people who frequently ate nuts or popcorn were NOT more likely to experience diverticulitis than those who did not eat these foods. Therefore, it is no longer recommended that people with diverticulosis or diverticulitis avoid these foods."

Are they recommending that you do eat them?

[swils8610]

Many doctors are now claiming it is safe to eat seeds and nuts. To me the juice isn’t with the squeeze!


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[greggsiam]

I've had it for 10+ years and my doctor told me the same thing. The nuts and seeds theory is not based on facts or science and to eat anything I like. I eat popcorn at the movies almost every weekend and never have a problem with it. Trail mix, whatever, no issues.

For me, what makes it flair up is simply a digestive problem, not a problem with what is being digested.

Listen to your new doctor, he's correct.

[ejvette]

Listen to the Doc he's the expert

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Are they recommending that you do eat them?

Gastroenterologists say that the previously banned foods can be eaten as desired and need not be avoided.

The admonition against eating seeds or nuts is a bit like the recommendation to drink eight glasses of water a day. Someone suggested it in the past with no scientific basis whatsoever, and it became "common wisdom." As you can see in this thread, the old advice against eating seeds, hulls or nuts dies hard despite every expert recommending that it's not necessary.