So you’ve been diagnosed with diverticulitis, a form of diverticular disease. There is a lot of false information out there about which foods can help you control and manage your symptoms and which ones should you avoid.
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Dietitian Anna Taylor, MS, RDN, LD, says that the best diet for diverticular disease depends on whether or not you have a flare-up.
Diverticulitis is a digestive condition where small pouches called diverticula develop in the wall of the colon When these pouches become inflamed or infected, it results in the painful symptoms of diverticulitis. Diet and nutrition play an important role in managing this condition But can you eat shrimp with diverticulitis?
The good news is that shrimp is usually thought to be a safe and healthy food for people who have diverticulitis. Find out more about the health benefits of shrimp and how to cook and serve it by reading on.
What is Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula in the colon become inflamed or infected. What are diverticula? They are small pouches or sacs that stick out through weak spots in the colon wall.
Some key facts about diverticulitis
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Primarily affects the large intestine
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Pain and tenderness are the main symptoms
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Diet and lifestyle changes are the main treatments
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Low-fiber diets are usually recommended during flare-ups
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Higher-fiber diets may help prevent episodes
Diverticulitis can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Mild cases may be treated at home with rest, medications, and dietary changes. Severe cases may require hospitalization.
Is Shrimp Safe to Eat with Diverticulitis?
Shrimp is generally considered a safe and healthy food choice as part of a diet for diverticulitis. Here are some of the reasons why:
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Highly digestible: The delicate texture of shrimp makes it easy to chew and digest. This minimizes irritation to the colon.
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Rich source of protein: Shrimp provide an excellent source of protein to help maintain strength and healing.
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Low in fiber: The low fiber content in shrimp reduces bulk and roughness in the intestines.
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Provides key nutrients: Shrimp contain important nutrients like selenium, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.
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Anti-inflammatory effects: Compounds in shellfish may have anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe the colon.
Both nutrition experts and doctors typically encourage eating shrimp as part of a balanced diverticulitis diet. It supplies key nutrition without excess roughness.
Nutrition Profile of Shrimp
Let’s look closer at some of the important nutrients found in shrimp:
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Protein: Provides 20-24 grams per 3 ounce serving, supporting tissue repair.
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Selenium: High levels help protect colon cells from damage and infection.
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Omega-3 fatty acids: Have anti-inflammatory effects to help heal the colon.
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Vitamin B12: Assists with energy production needed for healing.
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Zinc: Supports immune function to help fight infection.
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Phosphorus: Aids tissue and cell repair throughout the body.
In addition to being low in fiber, shrimp is also low in fat, carbohydrates, and calories. The high protein content helps keep hunger satisfied as part of a healthy diverticulitis diet.
Benefits of Eating Shrimp with Diverticulitis
Here are some of the top reasons you may want to include shrimp in your diverticulitis diet:
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Easy to digest: The soft, delicate texture of shrimp won’t aggravate the colon.
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Provides key nutrients: Excellent source of protein, selenium, B12, and anti-inflammatory omega-3s.
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Low preparation: Simple to make by steaming, grilling or sautéing with minimal seasonings.
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Versatile ingredient: Can be used in salads, pasta, soup, tacos, stir fry, skewers and more.
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Satisfying protein: Helps meet increased protein needs for healing and fights hunger.
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Naturally gluten-free: Suitable for gluten-free diets often recommended for diverticulitis.
Shrimp is one of the most well-tolerated and nutritious seafood options for diverticulitis diets. It satisfies hunger while providing key nutrients to support healing.
Tips for Eating Shrimp with Diverticulitis
Here are some tips to keep in mind when preparing shrimp:
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Remove the shell before cooking, as it can be hard to break down.
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Cook thoroughly until opaque throughout. Undercooked shrimp raises infection risks.
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Steam, grill, or sauté. Avoid deep frying or breading.
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Season lightly with herbs, lemon, garlic, pepper instead of spicy sauces.
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Introduce slowly after a flare-up and stop if it causes discomfort.
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Use precooked varieties if unsure how your body will tolerate it.
Follow basic food safety practices when handling raw shrimp. Start with small amounts after a diverticulitis episode to see if well tolerated, and increase slowly.
Sample Menu with Shrimp
Here is a sample day of diverticulitis-friendly meals featuring shrimp:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spinach and mushrooms
Lunch: Garden salad with grilled shrimp and lemon vinaigrette
Dinner: Coconut ginger shrimp soup with rice noodles
Snacks: Shrimp and avocado toast; shrimp spring rolls
Get creative with healthy preparations like shrimp tacos, shrimp skewers with veggies, garlic shrimp pasta, or shrimp stir fry. There are so many tasty ways to enjoy it!
Other Diverticulitis Diet Tips
Remember, diverticulitis diets are highly individual. Pay attention to your own tolerance. Other general tips include:
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
- Avoid trigger foods that you know cause problems
- Reduce fat, sugar, alcohol, and spicy foods
- Temporarily lower fiber after a flare-up
- Slowly increase fiber as you heal to prevent constipation
- Take a probiotic supplement to support gut health
Your doctor may also recommend anti-inflammatory medications or antibiotics if needed. But adjusting your diet is one of the most effective ways to prevent diverticulitis flare-ups.
Are There Any Precautions with Shrimp?
It’s important to handle shrimp safely by cooking thoroughly and avoiding cross-contamination in the kitchen. The only other precaution is that a small number of people may be allergic to shellfish, in which case shrimp should be avoided.
Otherwise, shrimp is one of the most easily digested and tolerated seafood options for people with diverticulitis. Always start with a small serving at first after a flare-up to confirm that it agrees with you.
The Bottom Line
Shrimp is considered a safe, healthy choice for a diverticulitis diet due to its soft texture, stellar nutrient profile, and anti-inflammatory properties. It provides high-quality protein, minerals like selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids that support healing.
Prepare shrimp simply by steaming, grilling, or sautéing. Start with small portions after a flare-up and increase slowly as tolerated. There are so many delicious ways to incorporate shrimp into your meal plan.
Combined with ample hydration, monitoring your personal food triggers, and slowly increasing fiber, shrimp can be part of an optimal diet to help manage diverticulitis.
How to follow a diverticulosis diet
Constipation often contributes to the development of diverticula. Taylor says that polyps form when muscles contract too much over a long period of time while trying to move small, hard stools. A diet high in fiber softens poop, making it easier for it to move through the digestive tract. This helps people who are constipated. There’s also less pressure against the polyps, which prevents diverticulitis flare-ups.
To get enough fiber in your diet (25 to 35 grams a day is recommended by doctors), choose plant foods that have been processed as little as possible, like
- Whole grains.
- Fruits.
- Vegetables.
- Beans.
- Legumes including lentils and nuts.
A long time ago, doctors thought that eating corn, popcorn, nuts, and seeds could make the polyps swell up and lead to diverticulitis. But there is no evidence to support that. “It’s safe to eat these types of foods, including tomatoes and strawberries with seeds,” Taylor notes. “All that normal roughage and fiber is fine. ”.
To get the most out of a high-fiber diet, Taylor also recommends:
- Every day, drink at least 64 ounces of water. If you work out, drink even more.
- Exercise regularly (it helps propel waste through your system).
- Every day, eat a wide range of foods, such as at least five servings of fruits and vegetables, three servings of whole grains, and one serving of nuts or beans.
- Cut back on American favorites like red meat, processed foods, and foods high in fat.
“Diverticular disease may be common in Western societies because our diets are so low in fiber,” Taylor says. “Americans, on average, eat around 14 grams each day — about half of what’s recommended. ”.
Diverticular disease: diverticulosis vs. diverticulitis
Diverticular disease means you have polyps (small growths) called diverticula in your gut. These polyps can exist without causing any symptoms and without you even knowing they’re there. This is called diverticulosis.
The polyps can cause abdominal cramps, pain or tenderness in the area, swelling, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea if they get infected or swollen. This is called diverticulitis.
What Foods Trigger Diverticulitis?
FAQ
Can I eat seafood with diverticulitis?
What foods irritate diverticulitis?
Is shrimp easy to digest?
What can I eat if I have diverticulitis?
On a clear liquid diet, you can eat: Clear broths (not soup). Clear, pulp-free juices (such as apple and cranberry juice). Popsicles. Water. For milder cases of diverticulitis, eat a low-fiber, or GI soft, diet. A low-fiber diet limits fiber intake to between 8 and 12 grams of fiber, depending on the severity of the flare-up.
Can I eat shrimp if I have diverticulosis?
Shrimp is a type of seafood that is low in fat and high in protein. For this reason, shrimp is generally considered to be safe for people with diverticulosis. However, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s digestive system reacts differently to different foods. If you have diverticulosis, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or dietitian about which seafood is best for you.
Can people with diverticulitis eat seeds?
The UCSF noted that it is safe for people living with diverticulitis to eat nuts, popcorn, and seeds, including pumpkin and sesame seeds. Experts also say that it is OK to eat the seeds in tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, strawberries, and raspberries. In the past, doctors may have advised people to remove these foods from their diets.
Can you eat a liquid diet if you have diverticulitis?
A liquid diet is meant to allow your bowels to rest and heal. It is generally recommended to follow a liquid or low-fiber diet only until your diverticulitis symptoms improve. Afterward, you may gradually add solid foods back into your diet along with slowly increasing your fiber intake.