Diverticulitis prone-- what in the world should I eat to keep losing weight?

WTGNicole
WTGNicole Posts: 58 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi! I'm relatively new here and I desperately need some advice. A few years ago I had a diverticulitis episode after I had tried IF, OMAD eating one big, low carb salad a day (ELAB, lots of ladies my age have had great success). I definitely lost weight but I guess my guts couldn't handle all the roughage? And so the diverticulitis. Then depression, because I couldn't do the thing I found that worked, I spiraled a little, covid, and here we are now. I decided around January to try a cooked version of what I was doing before, it was going well, I've lost about 40 lbs or so, my guts would start to hurt, I would fast a bit, it would get better, and then another really bad diverticulitis episode a month or so ago. The ER Dr told me liquid diet, then low residue diet, I was doing that, and ANOTHER really bad episode. I feel like I'm going crazy!

When I eat carbs, I want ALL THE CARBS. So low residue diet for me makes cravings come back, and sticking to my calories is SO HARD. I want veggies but now I'm so scared to eat any unless I cook them to death. I'm scared to eat meat. I'm scared to eat dairy. I don't know what to do at all.

I have an appt with a gastro Dr. Monday. I know none of y'all can give me medical advice or anything, but I'm wondering if any of y'all have been through anything similar? I'm scared of losing my progress, I hate being in pain, I'm not the type to feel hopeless about things but I kinda am starting to feel that way.

Thank you for reading 🙂

Replies

  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    I’ve never been through this and unfortunately can’t shed any light. I can, however, offer support and well wishes that you find a solution to your diverticulitis!!!! Good luck at the doctors Monday.
  • wilson10102018
    wilson10102018 Posts: 1,306 Member
    The fiber is good for you. Its the seeds in fruit and vegetables that trigger the infection in the intestines. You now have a reason to scrape out those nasty cucumber seeds and tomato pulp. Julia said to do it 40 years ago.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    nvielufm wrote: »
    Hi! I'm relatively new here and I desperately need some advice. A few years ago I had a diverticulitis episode after I had tried IF, OMAD eating one big, low carb salad a day (ELAB, lots of ladies my age have had great success). I definitely lost weight but I guess my guts couldn't handle all the roughage? And so the diverticulitis. Then depression, because I couldn't do the thing I found that worked, I spiraled a little, covid, and here we are now. I decided around January to try a cooked version of what I was doing before, it was going well, I've lost about 40 lbs or so, my guts would start to hurt, I would fast a bit, it would get better, and then another really bad diverticulitis episode a month or so ago. The ER Dr told me liquid diet, then low residue diet, I was doing that, and ANOTHER really bad episode. I feel like I'm going crazy!

    When I eat carbs, I want ALL THE CARBS. So low residue diet for me makes cravings come back, and sticking to my calories is SO HARD. I want veggies but now I'm so scared to eat any unless I cook them to death. I'm scared to eat meat. I'm scared to eat dairy. I don't know what to do at all.

    I have an appt with a gastro Dr. Monday. I know none of y'all can give me medical advice or anything, but I'm wondering if any of y'all have been through anything similar? I'm scared of losing my progress, I hate being in pain, I'm not the type to feel hopeless about things but I kinda am starting to feel that way.

    Thank you for reading 🙂

    If your gastro doc doesn't give you a very clear detailed plan for what to eat, ask, and then insist, on a referral to a registered dietitian.

    I get the fear :(

    I don't have diverticulitis, but I do have other issues, and have to constantly experiment to find out what I can eat that will still allow me to create a calorie deficit and not trigger cravings.
  • lady_bug_jd
    lady_bug_jd Posts: 221 Member
    I was diagnosed with diverticulosis a few years ago during a hospital stay due to a diverticulitis flare up. The best advice I received was from a nurse who told me the best line of defense is to get enough fibre daily. She recommended eating All-Bran or Fibre 1 cereal (sticks, not buds or flakes) which have 12 - 15g of fibre in a half cup serving. It is recommended that women get 25g per day. I often make a parfait with yogurt, fibre cereal and berries.

    Prior to my initial diverticulitis flare up I was eating a very low carb diet, recommended by my doctor. While I do think you can do lower carb diets healthily, I was not. I was eating lots of processed foods and definitely not getting much fibre. Also I was not able to go to the bathroom regularly which many experience with very low carb diets, and is really bad for diverticulosis.

    Now I try to eat a balanced diet, currently keeping my calories around 1450 -1500 per day, and get enough fibre. I love bread and chips so I try not to eat them very often as they make me crave more. I also limit the amount of carbs on my plate and try to do half plate veggies, quarter meat, quarter carbs like rice or potatoes. I do find if I get sufficient protein and fibre then I'm not really craving things.

    I have had about 3 diverticulitis flare ups since my first hospitalization. Every time it has happened has been when I've been off my healthy eating plan and not eating enough fibre. I'm able to recognize it now and immediately go to a clear liquid diet for a few days to allow bowel rest, followed by a day or two of other liquids (pudding, cream soups), then a few days of low fibre foods, and then once feeling totally better return to my normal diet. This has worked for me so far but recommend you see a doctor if you're having a flare up in case you need antibiotics.

    Sorry for the long post! If I haven't said it enough already....Fibre! :)
  • lady_bug_jd
    lady_bug_jd Posts: 221 Member
    wilson10102018 wrote: »
    The fiber is good for you. Its the seeds in fruit and vegetables that trigger the infection in the intestines. You now have a reason to scrape out those nasty cucumber seeds and tomato pulp. Julia said to do it 40 years ago.

    I've never heard this before and I've done a lot of research. There are lots of sites on the internet that state seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower or nuts are the problem. The theory is that these little items would get stuck and cause the infection. However, the specialist I saw said the that in recent years studies have debunked this theory.

    Personally, I eat cucumber with the seeds and tomato with the pulp all the time and it has never caused me a problem.
  • wilson10102018
    wilson10102018 Posts: 1,306 Member
    For the record, Diverticulitis is the infection, Diverticulosis is the condition.

    Whether seeds are a problem or not, fiber is always the recommendation to avoid the infection.
  • WholeFoods4Lyfe
    WholeFoods4Lyfe Posts: 1,518 Member
    First of all, I am very sorry that you are dealing with this. I also have a history of diverticulitis, including a stint in the hospital a few years ago because the infection was so out of control. I know that you are scheduled with a GI doctor, and that is a good first step. They will likely want to schedule you for a Colonoscopy so that they can get a better idea of what is going on. When I had mine done, to no surprise, it found multiple Diverticula and also a few spots that the doctor biopsied which were luckily benign. I was told by my doctor that they no longer recommend avoiding nuts and seeds, so I don't, except for corn, because it just so happens that the time that I was hospitalized my meal immediately preceeding the onset of symptoms had contained corn and my snack that same night was popcorn. Keeping your bowels regular is very important, and you can achieve that in two ways - fiber and hydration. Having multiple, semi-soft BMs per day is actual what "normal" looks like. Don't be scared of veggies, they are not your enemy with Diverticulosis. Also, I don't know if you are considered to be "obese", but there are many studies that link obesity to increased risks with Diverticulitis, you decreasing your overall BMI and Body Fat percentage is going to help as well. I personally follow a low carb diet, feel free to check out my diary for ideas. I also post pictures and recipes of a lot of my meals on IG, feel free to PM me if you want my handle for there.
  • MikePfirrman
    MikePfirrman Posts: 3,307 Member
    I remember reading that green bananas, for whatever reason, are one of the best and best tolerated fibers someone can eat if they can't digest other fibers. But they have to be green bananas. Agave inulin, I believe, is another great source of fiber and can be used as a sweetener (not to be confused with liquid Agave, which is like a syrup -- this is a powder with beneficial fiber).
  • lady_bug_jd
    lady_bug_jd Posts: 221 Member
    nvielufm wrote: »
    Hi all, thank you all for your comments and advice! The appt went well, I have another CT scan on Friday and a colonoscopy set up for October. They were really kind and listened to my concerns and reassured me that we can get this figured out and that I will be able to find a way of eating that will support my weight loss efforts. Y'alls comments really helped--this whole issue is so shame-filled for me, I have to really fight to keep my head straight about it. So the comments here and other threads on the board are really helpful in that way. I appreciate y'all taking the time to share and encourage. I hope to pay it forward :)

    Glad to hear your appointment went well and you feel supported to find a way of eating to continue losing weight and help with your diverticulosis. That's so important.

    Please don't feel shame. You can't help having a medical condition and this is a common one in the western world. I read that something like 35% of the U.S. population under age 50 has it and that percentage increases quite a bit as people age. It's just that not everyone is unfortunate enough to get diverticulitis (the flare ups/infection). Before I was diagnosed I had never heard of it, but afterward so many people told me they knew someone who has it. It sucks to have to find a way to manage it, but it's possible!
  • Krf2021
    Krf2021 Posts: 1 Member
    edited August 2021
    No shame please! You have it diagnosed and that is great. I had undiagnosed diverticulitus 12 years ago and my colon ruptured, I almost died. I wore a poo bag for six months till they could reconnect my colon. My sweet husband changed the bag weekly. I lost shame over it quickly. The surgen said it is mostly due to constipation. Which I had most of my life. I also found out it is more common than we know. I had two different docs one said seeds was the cause and the other constipation (the surgeon). He said in all his surgeries for this he has never had seeds in the pockets, it was always poo. So its important to listen to your body. I eat 1/2 cup of All Bran original with fruit and light greek yogurt most mornings and lots of fruits and vegies and water throughout the day. I have learned to chew all food very well. I also learned
    corn on the cob, I eat way too fast (not chewing fully) and causes me pain digesting...also popcorn does not agee with me but everything else is ok even nuts and seeds as long as I fully chew. I find All Bran in the morning works best for me vs fiber mixed in a drink. Listen to your body, chew chew chew your food and up the fiber and drink lots of water daily. Best wishes to you!

  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member
    Back in the day it was thought that seeds and nuts were bad but that ancient theory has been debunked. Like many have said, higher fiber is recommended to prevent flare ups of diverticulitis.
  • ByteLily
    ByteLily Posts: 52 Member
    I had my first colonoscopy in my early twenties and had diverticulosis then. I also have a bowel problem that means my entire colon is on my left side. My appendix is in the middle. At my last colonoscopy I had even more diverticulosis. Sigh. The two issues combined can make eating a challenge. Learn the different types of fiber soluble vs insoluble. I can eat all sorts of seeds and nuts apart from popcorn. I used to take metamucil and that helped my stools be more cohesive so that any little hard balls of stool would be picked up and carried out and not sitting around waiting to cause issues. I also get slot of my fruits in smoothie form just because it's easier. Just fruit and water. There's no need for milk and other things to be added. I rely more on low fat and non animal proteins. Like chick peas ( I tolerate them but most beans I do not. ). For animal sources I like very lean ground turkey, chicken breast and tuna. Red meat like burgers and steaks I find hard to digest. It's a constant awareness of what I am eating and will it hurt me. I relate. I wish you the best.
  • foreverhealthy3
    foreverhealthy3 Posts: 111 Member
    edited September 2021
    I have this same dx. after a colon scope. I no longer have constipation problems, but the opposite when I have an attack. I'm trying to avoid dairy, my thoughts and have switched to whole grain bread/toast. unsweetened almond milk is not bad on cereal at all, and am hoping smoothies work with protein powder, unsweetened almond milk, frozen banana and raw spinach.
    steel ground oatmeal is a nutritious breakfast, cooked and frozen into small protions to microwave. I seriously think a dietician appointment is a good starter since it is food related, insurance shouold pay for one visit. I am going to follow this and have order a few booklets to get more ideas.

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