Diverticulitis is a painful intestinal swelling that can cause digestive issues and other health problems. Many foods and meals can aggravate this swelling and make it difficult to eat properly. Pizza, a favorite dish of many people all over the world, may fall under this category.
However, even if you have diverticulitis, you may be able to enjoy your favorite pizza, giving you the opportunity to eat out with friends, family members, and others.
Let’s take a closer look at whether Can You Eat Pizza With Diverticulitis with this condition, what ingredients to avoid, and other related topics.
Can You Eat Pizza With Diverticulitis?
Can You Eat Pizza With Diverticulitis?
Pizza is safe to eat if you have diverticulitis as long as you eat in moderation.
While pizza isn’t high in fiber, it can help lower colon pressure and reduce your risk of diverticulitis. This is due to the grains and other healthy ingredients.
When you have diverticulitis, you must eat only a small amount of any high-FODMAP vegetable to avoid serious flare-up risks.
Two slices, for example, are probably more than enough for most people with this condition, especially if you have a topping-thick pizza. A lighter or simpler pizza may make it easier to enjoy three slices, but eating much more than that is a bad idea.
Four or more slices may be enough to cause a diverticulitis outbreak, which can be excruciatingly painful and difficult to tolerate.
What Foods Can I Eat If I Have Diverticulitis?
The Diverticulitis Diet
The diverticulitis diet’s goal is to allow your digestive system to reset and rebuild its health. To begin, you will reduce your fiber intake to reduce symptoms, then gradually increase your fiber intake as symptoms improve over the course of a few days.
Clear liquids, low-fiber foods, and high-fiber foods are the three stages.
Stage 1: Clear Liquids (~1–2 days)
- Water
- Ice chips or popsicles
- Milkshakes or ice cream
- Broth, preferably sodium-free
- Juices made from fruits
- Gelatin\sPudding
- Sweetener-free tea or coffee
Stage 2: Low-Fiber/Low-Residue Foods (~2–3 days)
- Bread that is white
- Rice that is white
- Potatoes
- Low-fiber cereals
- Peeled and cooked vegetables/fruits or canned vegetables/fruits
- Dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese) (milk, yogurt, cheese)
- Eggs, fish, and chicken
- Juice from fruits or vegetables (no pulp)
Stage 3: High-Fiber Diet
- Whole grain and whole wheat foods
- Skinned fruits and vegetables
- Beets
- Popcorn Oats Brown rice
- Beans
- Nuts (peanuts, Brazil nuts, etc) (peanuts, Brazil nuts, etc.)
- Hemp, sesame, and chia seeds
- Powdered psyllium
Risks of the Diverticulitis Diet
You may not be getting enough nutrients because of the reduced food intake, especially in the first few days. Consult your doctor to see if this diet is suitable for you. In most cases, they will use an IV to supplement those nutrients.
Although increasing fiber intake on a daily basis can help soften stool and facilitate bowel movements, doing so too quickly can cause discomfort, pain, and gas (flatulence). It is critical to switch to a high-fiber diet only when there are no symptoms with a low-fat diet or when your doctor determines that your diverticula are no longer inflamed.
What Ingredients Should I Avoid on Pizza When I have Diverticulitis?
While you may be able to tolerate many pizza toppings when you have diverticulitis, there are many others that you should avoid. Simply put, many of the best pizza toppings should be removed from your pie or consumed in small amounts.
When ordering your next pizza for Pizza Friday nights with your family, consider the following options:
- Deep-fried toppings, for example, deep-fried shrimp
- Dairy products high in fat (try low-fat alternatives, like almond milk)
- Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and other vegetables of a similar nature
- Onions, garlic, bell peppers, and other hot foods
- Soybeans and other legumes
- High-fat meats that could exacerbate your outbreak
- It is important to note that eating these foods in small amounts may not harm your stomach.
Adding a few mild peppers to your pizza, for example, may not aggravate your diverticulitis. Unfortunately, this situation is often unpredictable and varies greatly from person to person.
FAQ of Can You Eat Pizza With Diverticulitis
Can You Eat Spaghetti With Diverticulitis?
When you have diverticulitis, you should be able to eat this delicious meal. You should, however, drink at least eight ounces of water after this meal and continue to drink water throughout the day. Additionally, avoid tomato sauce to avoid worsening symptoms.
Is it OK to Eat Cheese With Diverticulitis?
While cheese has low fiber content, it does provide the body with healthy fats and protein. These nutrients can aid in the treatment of diverticulitis and reduce pain. When possible, choose low-fat alternatives, such as non-milk cheese varieties.
Can You Eat a Hamburger With Diverticulitis?
Surprisingly, you can eat unprocessed meats like hamburgers if they are tender and low in fat. However, eating too much red meat can aggravate your symptoms, which will worsen as you consume more meat.
When you have diverticulitis, limit yourself to no more than 1.2 servings of red meat per week.
What Food Makes Diverticulitis Worse?
To reduce outbreaks, avoid the following foods:
- Yogurt Ice Cream with Pears
- Sauerkraut
- Beans
- Kimchi\sLegumes
- Soy\sCabbage
- Trans-fat-rich foods
Can you eat spaghetti with diverticulitis?
Spaghetti is ideal for people suffering from diverticulitis because it has a low fiber content and a low residue. White rice, white bread, and pasta are also acceptable.
Can you eat cheese with diverticular?
Yes, because cheese is a low-fiber food, you can eat it if you have diverticular disease. It may aid you in preventing future attacks.
What triggers diverticulitis flare-ups?
Consuming high-fiber foods can aggravate the diverticulitis problem. Regular flare-ups can be easily avoided by eating fresh foods.
Conclusion about Can You Eat Pizza With Diverticulitis?
As you can see, there is no reason to avoid eating pizza if you have diverticulitis. Even if you have diverticulitis, you can eat pizza if you watch what you eat. Now you can choose which ingredients to include in your pie, which will save you time and allow you to enjoy your bites.
If you are newly diagnosed, you should feel liberated from the restrictions of a diverticulitis diet because you do not need to be overly concerned with what you eat. When selecting safe food ingredients, including pizza, that will make you and your stomach happy, you must follow some golden rules.
Furthermore, eating pizza once in a while is acceptable. Pizza will not aggravate your diverticulitis as long as it is consumed in moderation and with caution.
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