“I have a bit of a problem when it comes to which foods I can choose from as I have both diverticulosis and IBS. It’s quite difficult for me.”
Our dietitian’s answer:
Having both diverticulosis and IBS complicates the situation. I would recommend:
Eating more fiber
It is important to eat a lot of fiber if you have diverticulosis but also to avoid certain foods that may get stuck in your diverticula. So, what to do? A good way to implement more fiber into your diet is to opt for cooked vegetables and root vegetables that contain fiber.
Eat more often
It is better to eat small portions more often rather than skip meals. Make sure to also chew carefully. Drink between meals to increase fluid intake.
Some foods can cause more problems than others such as asparagus, broccoli stalks, and pineapples which are all a bit stringy. If you mash or blend these food items instead, they can work well. Crab is also stringy food and sometimes even shrimp can be stringy – be observant!
Do not consume too much legumes
Legumes such as chickpeas, peas, beans, and lentils may need to be restricted as they are generally difficult to digest. If you rinse them extra carefully and mash them, they can work very well in small amounts.
Conclusion
Although these tips should not adversely affect your IBS symptoms, everyone’s stomach is different. It is recommended to start implementing these tips gradually and see what works and doesn’t work for you.
Read more about diverticulitis and diverticulosis or other gastrointestinal problems at allaboutibs.com
