Popcorn Yes or No

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Janworkingitout
Janworkingitout Posts: 434 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I was diagnosed with diverticulosis in 2009. Thankfully, I've never had a flare up. However, my doctor and I are at odds over my eating popcorn. She says I should avoid popcorn, along with nuts, and tomatoes. Today she gave me a hand out to read, which she obviously didn't read it because it said: "There is no need to avoid nuts, seeds, corn, or popcorn", :laugh:

Now I believe in taking good care of my body and I generally don't ignore doctor's orders. Even though popcorn may cause some people to have flare ups, it doesn't effect me negatively, and I love getting the extra fiber.

Has anyone with diverticulosis continued to eat popcorn and nuts? Or do I really have to give them up?

Replies

  • emma1488
    emma1488 Posts: 175
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    I dont know what that is...but HELL YES TO POPCORN!!! NOM NOM NOM!...only homemade stuff tho, i dont like movie popcorn *barf*
  • CaptainAmerica1970
    CaptainAmerica1970 Posts: 435
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    Don't do it. follow doctors advice I have an MFP friend who is out for over a week with a flare up! MFP friend is on meds, high temp. OUT! not able to eat or exercise.
  • Kimbers70
    Kimbers70 Posts: 102 Member
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    If I am not mistaken it has to do with your colon track and it has pockets which catch the popcorn/nuts which in turn cause tears and bleeding. I wouldnt do it.
  • foresthillian19
    foresthillian19 Posts: 3
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    diverticulitis is the inflammation of the pockets in your GI tract. Very painful for those who have flare ups.
  • campi_mama
    campi_mama Posts: 350 Member
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    I would say that each case is different and if popcorn doesn't cause a flare-up then eat it if you like it. If there's a problem then reevaluate the decision....
  • stanvoodoo
    stanvoodoo Posts: 1,023 Member
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    I have several friends/relatives with this.....NO Nuts, Seeds or Popcorn or you can be very uncomfortable!

    Here is one study:

    So these are this foods you should avoid according to our survey report.


    1. Stress - while not a food, this rated as the highest problem from our survey and we have more info on stress in our site.
    2. Nuts, Hazel, Peanuts etc
    3. Sesame Seeds, this will include buns, and burgers with sesame seeds on them.
    4. Corn (any corn, pop corn, sweet corn, even corn flour and tortillas)
    5. Chilli's and peppers, hot and spicy.

    I would also like to add a couple of things that got a specific mention, these were not rated as they were not a question in the initial survey, but a lot of people specifically mentioned them as a problem.

    1. V8 Tomato Juice
    2. Iceberg lettuce
    3. Fried, Deep Fried or Fatty foods.
    4. Onions
    5. Raw Vegetables.
  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
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    It only takes a single little indigestible hunk to cause you tremendous pain and grief. It is your call though. Good luck!!
  • dmunroe8
    dmunroe8 Posts: 2 Member
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    Listen to your DR my Mom and I both have it and we suffer bad when we cheat with popcorn, nuts, corn, ect. The seeds will block your intestings and create a bad flare up depending on the amount you eat. If you must eat it eat very small amounts and see how you feel the next day. Good Luck
  • ColoradoRobin
    ColoradoRobin Posts: 510 Member
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    My understanding of diverticulosis is that you want to eat foods high in fiber. Popcorn seems like it would be fine, but I'm not a doctor. Googling it, I found an article addressing this topic based on more current research.

    http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/DDW/5702

    It sounds like it has been traditional to recommend avoiding nuts and popcorn, but that newer research has shown that advice to be incorrect. The article I linked said there might even be a protective effect from foods like nuts and popcorn. It's up to you to decide - I'm sure everyone reacts differently.
  • emma1488
    emma1488 Posts: 175
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    If I am not mistaken it has to do with your colon track and it has pockets which catch the popcorn/nuts which in turn cause tears and bleeding. I wouldnt do it.

    :sad:
    OMG that sounds awful. I guess i wouldn't want to risk anything. If you're not happy with your doctors advice, get a few opinions from other doctors or health specialists and decide on what the majority says.
  • Janworkingitout
    Janworkingitout Posts: 434 Member
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    Don't do it. follow doctors advice I have an MFP friend who is out for over a week with a flare up! MFP friend is on meds, high temp. OUT! not able to eat or exercise.

    Thanks for the advice...I don't want to be one of those people who learn the hard way! I also researched this issue, this is what mayo clinic had to say: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diverticulitis-diet/AN01255. It's certainly something to give serious thought to.
  • Janworkingitout
    Janworkingitout Posts: 434 Member
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    If I am not mistaken it has to do with your colon track and it has pockets which catch the popcorn/nuts which in turn cause tears and bleeding. I wouldnt do it.

    :sad:
    OMG that sounds awful. I guess i wouldn't want to risk anything. If you're not happy with your doctors advice, get a few opinions from other doctors or health specialists and decide on what the majority says.

    Great advice, thanks!
  • Janworkingitout
    Janworkingitout Posts: 434 Member
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    I have made some steps to avoid a flare up and not give up my beloved popcorn. I'm now eating Tiny But Mighty Popcorn from Whole Foods. The hulls disintegrate when you pop the corn. Pretty tasty, but a little pricey!
  • Jill_newimprovedversion
    Jill_newimprovedversion Posts: 988 Member
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    You say you haven't had a flare up- I sincerely hope you never do.
    I had one at the beginning of this year, and it took 10 WEEKS of a low fiber, low residue diet to heal-
    CAN YOU SAY "WEIGHT GAIN?" ( like 12 lbs UGH)

    *Curious? Google low fiber/low residue diet and find out what you CAN'T eat*

    I think this ailment affects each differently ( and possibly how many pockets are present and where they're located and the overall health of the internal organs )
    My mother passed away in 2001 from a perforated colon- and the secondary cause of death was listed as acute sigmoid diverticulitis. THAT made me take it a LOT more seriously than I have.



    This past year I had a BAD BOUT after the holidays
    I THOUGHT I was avoiding all the nuts/seeds. My head is full of puddin' though-
    I make my own eggnog- and guess what spice I use- that is heavy and sinks to the bottom of the milk jug???
    NUTmeg.......DUH.....

    My body keeps changing, and I find more & more things that bother me NOW
    and NEVER USED TO...
    Like ground pepper. I don't use a LOT of salt, but love freshly ground coarse pepper. That's a NO NO now <GROAN>

    The flare ups are agonizing- I'd seriously rather give birth.
    I will do anything to avoid them- just NOT worth the risks.

    There are so many other things to snack on.
    I personally LOVE rice cakes- white cheddar are my "popcorn"
  • heatherbarron84
    heatherbarron84 Posts: 9
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    DO NOT EAT IT !! It will get logged in your colon and get infected and cause a flare up!!!
  • Janworkingitout
    Janworkingitout Posts: 434 Member
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    You say you haven't had a flare up- I sincerely hope you never do.
    I had one at the beginning of this year, and it took 10 WEEKS of a low fiber, low residue diet to heal-
    CAN YOU SAY "WEIGHT GAIN?" ( like 12 lbs UGH)

    *Curious? Google low fiber/low residue diet and find out what you CAN'T eat*

    I think this ailment affects each differently ( and possibly how many pockets are present and where they're located and the overall health of the internal organs )
    My mother passed away in 2001 from a perforated colon- and the secondary cause of death was listed as acute sigmoid diverticulitis. THAT made me take it a LOT more seriously than I have.



    This past year I had a BAD BOUT after the holidays
    I THOUGHT I was avoiding all the nuts/seeds. My head is full of puddin' though-
    I make my own eggnog- and guess what spice I use- that is heavy and sinks to the bottom of the milk jug???
    NUTmeg.......DUH.....

    My body keeps changing, and I find more & more things that bother me NOW
    and NEVER USED TO...
    Like ground pepper. I don't use a LOT of salt, but love freshly ground coarse pepper. That's a NO NO now <GROAN>

    The flare ups are agonizing- I'd seriously rather give birth.
    I will do anything to avoid them- just NOT worth the risks.

    There are so many other things to snack on.
    I personally LOVE rice cakes- white cheddar are my "popcorn"

    Thanks friend for sharing your story with me. I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom, and what you went through.

    I think I'm going to be on the hunt for a new favorite snack!
  • notvoldy
    notvoldy Posts: 16
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    The reason they tell you to avoid these is food can get lodged in the pockets of your colon, and those foods have a higher risk of tearing those pockets open. Gives you a greater chance for infection, inflammation (basically diverticulitis).

    I have a friend that had major surgery in 2008 and 2010 to correct diverticulitis, the second time they just removed everything (including all of her colon). She spent the two years up until her surgery last year eating emulsified food because eating food normally made her incredibly sick. She couldn't go anywhere or do anything because she was so weak and got dizzy a lot, among other things. She's doing a LOT better now, but her colon messed up a lot of her body processes and is now an adult-onset type 1 diabetic.

    Maybe it's a worst case scenario, but I've seen what it can do to people (it's also common on my dad's side of the family) and that's enough for me say you're playing with fire doing it.
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
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    I dont know what that is...but HELL YES TO POPCORN!!! NOM NOM NOM!...only homemade stuff tho, i dont like movie popcorn *barf*
    Agreed. I cannot stand movie theater popcorn. Gross! I'll sneak in a ziploc bag of microwaveable popcorn, tho. YUM!

    As for the contradicting advice (from your doctor vs the pamphlet), call him/her on it. Ask why the pamphlet says something different. And ask WHY you can't have popcorn. Don't just take your doctor's word for anything. A good doctor will always answer why.
  • ahunkofmexican
    ahunkofmexican Posts: 199
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    Hey janworkingitout I am currently on my third attack of diverticulitis. I had a handful of peanuts every other day for a week. I made sure to chew them one at a time and to a pulp. Even the smallest of the smallest will get lodged in your pockets that you have created over time from being over weight from low fiber high fat foods and straining to go # 2. The straining is what causes these pockets that never go away unless they cut your belly open and remove the parts of your colon that have them. Since i see your picture of before and after i can guess that your just ripe 4 the picking and about to have your first attack this year. I was diagnosed a year ago but didn't understand it either. Within the first couple of years of having these pockets develop is when they start. If you want, go ahead and buy some nuts and seeds and go to a theatre and buy some popcorn and see a really good movie. So good that by the end of it you have eaten all the popcorn and peanuts. Wait about a few days to a week and you will feel this gurgling feeling in the pit of your stomach. Then you will have a little upset stomach that you will start noticing after you go to bed. By the third night you will start thinking of Pepto Bismol, but by then it's too late. You need to go to the doctors and get antibiotics for 10-14 days and nights. Say goodbye to work for a few days and say goodbye to eating cause even water will hurt as you have to go to the bathroom for #1 and #2. This is due to the bloating and the gas you will have pressing on your bladder, and the only time you will feel better is when you cut a big fart and let out a few curdles of #2 from your intestines and colon being inflamed and swollen. Mean while these pockets that are filled with marbles of #2 are still stuck lodged in your intestines festering from the inside out. That's why it takes weeks to months to get better, All along after the first few weeks you begin to feel better so you now begin to eat which only delays the healing process cause your G I track is sensitive still. During these healing weeks you will have these stabbing pains attacking from all over from time to time while your watching tv or sleeping, or with friends talking. Have you ever had stabbing pains like someone had a voodoo doll of you and sticking needles in the colon of the doll ? Well you will now and even sweet Jesus cant help, Believe me i asked ! O'ya have a good day and don't say we didn't tell you so.
    With the best intentions chunk of diverticulitis

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