Is Salmon Good for Diverticulitis? A Dietitian’s Advice

Diverticulitis can be a tricky condition to manage through diet. With so many conflicting opinions on what foods are “safe” to eat, it’s hard to know if favorites like salmon should stay in your meal plan or not.

As a dietitian specializing in gastrointestinal disorders, I’m often asked if salmon is a smart choice for the diverticulitis diet. With its stellar nutritional profile you would think salmon would be ideal. However, some key considerations make it not the best protein pick when diverticulitis strikes.

In this article, I’ll share my expertise on the pros and cons of eating salmon with diverticulitis. You’ll learn:

• How salmon nutrition benefits your health
• Potential risks of salmon for diverticulitis
• Safest ways to enjoy salmon
• Better protein alternatives to try

Let’s dive in and determine if salmon is good or bad for diverticulitis once and for all!

Overview of Diverticulitis

Before analyzing salmon specifically, it helps to understand diverticulitis basics. Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches called diverticula become inflamed or infected along the wall of the colon.

Symptoms of a diverticulitis flare include:

• Left lower abdominal pain
• Fever
• Nausea
• Bloating and cramping

During an active flare, a liquid diet is recommended to give the colon a rest. Other high fiber or hard-to-digest foods should also be avoided until the episode passes.

While salmon itself doesn’t cause diverticulitis, it may or may not irritate an existing case based on its unique properties.

Salmon Nutrition Pros for Diverticulitis

No doubt about it, salmon is one of the healthiest protein choices out there. Here are some of its top nutritional benefits:

• High in omega-3s – Salmon provides anti-inflammatory fats that may improve gut health.

• Rich in protein – Each serving contains around 20 grams of satiating, muscle-building protein.

• Loaded with B vitamins – Essential for energy production and metabolizing food.

• Contains vitamin D – This vitamin may help reduce diverticulitis flare-ups.

• Low in saturated fat – Compared to red meat, salmon contains less artery-clogging saturated fat.

• Source of selenium – This antioxidant mineral supports a healthy immune response.

Given these impressive nutrients, it would seem salmon is a phenomenal fit for any diet, including a diverticulitis diet. So why do some experts still warn against eating it?

Potential Salmon Cons for Diverticulitis

Here are a few of the biggest concerns with eating salmon if you suffer from diverticulitis:

• Small bones – Salmon bones are small, thin, and difficult to chew fully or remove. They can lodge in diverticula pockets.

• High in protein – Hard for the colon to break down. Can leave undigested protein to irritate pockets.

• Oily – The healthy fats make salmon slippery and fast-moving through the colon, increasing chances it will get trapped.

• Skin – Rubbery and tough to digest. Can block or scratch inside already sensitive pouches.

• Migratory – Farmed salmon contains lower quality nutrition than wild. Contaminants are also a concern.

While salmon boasts plentiful good fats and protein, for some with diverticula, it may be too much of a good thing. The combination of small bones, oily texture, and thick skin seems to spell trouble for sensitive colons.

Safest Ways to Eat Salmon with Diverticulitis

If you don’t want to fully give up your salmon, try these tips to make it as diverticulitis-friendly as possible:

• Choose wild-caught Alaskan salmon over farmed Atlantic salmon when possible.

• Buy salmon fillets without skin and bones, like pre-cut salmon steaks.

• Cook salmon until it flakes easily with a fork and bones become very soft.

• Mash or puree cooked salmon and fold into dips, spreads, or quiche.

• Opt for canned salmon and be sure to remove any bones you spot.

• Skip raw salmon dishes like sushi, lox, ceviche, or poke bowls.

While this makes salmon safer, it may still be too irritating for some with severe or active diverticulitis. Use your best judgment based on your individual reaction.

Better Protein Swaps for Diverticulitis

If salmon simply doesn’t settle well with your colon, don’t worry – you have plenty of delicious, nutritious protein options:

• Eggs – Boiled, poached, scrambled, or made into frittatas or quiches.

• Poultry – Chicken or turkey, without skin or bones.

• Tofu – Look for soft or silken styles that are easy to digest.

• Beans and lentils – Well-cooked and pureed varieties are great options.

• Dairy – Cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, yogurt, milk.

• Fish – White, tender fish like tilapia, cod, or flounder.

Aim for low-fat preparations without small bones or tough textures. Get creative mixing up your proteins at each meal to prevent boredom.

The Bottom Line

Salmon delivers a powerhouse nutrition profile. However, its characteristic small bones, oily flesh, and skin mean it poses some risk for those with inflamed diverticula. During an active flare, it’s best to avoid salmon completely and stick to a liquid diet.

In diverticulitis remission, salmon can be part of your diet – just take steps to remove bones, buy skinless fillets, and fully cook it. For some, softer proteins like eggs, yogurt, or pureed beans may still be easier options to prevent future attacks.

Work closely with your doctor or dietitian to decide if salmon is a smart choice for your individual case of diverticulitis. With a balanced diverticulitis diet and lifestyle adjustments, you can keep your symptoms under control and indulge in salmon on occasion if you tolerate it well.