Is there a special diet? Should certain foods be avoided?

[bigbill]

I am a 67 year old male.  Recently had a colonoscopy performed.
The "sigmoid showed diverticula through the decending". I am getting conflicting information regarding foods to avoid, (that they will become caught in diverticula, resulting in diverticulitis)...in particular, nuts, tomatoes, okra, rye bread with the seeds, and other produce with small seeds.  Even have heard one should not eat cornbread.

Please advise.  Thank you.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Patients with diverticular disease who do not have any symptoms do not require specific treatment. However, most doctors recommend fiber supplementation, which can help to bulk the stools and thereby possibly help prevent the development of new diverticula, diverticulitis, or diverticular bleeding, although this has not been proven.

There are no studies suggesting benefit of avoidance of certain foods.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

Bibliography:
Kelley et al.  Patient information: Diverticular disease.  UptoDate, 2004.

[yoshi]

you got it,all these items have seeds!!
they forget to mention sesame seeds.