Diverticulitis is a common digestive condition affecting over half of all people over age 60. It occurs when small pouches called diverticula form in the colon wall and become inflamed or infected. Symptoms of diverticulitis range from mild abdominal discomfort to severe abdominal pain fever, nausea, diarrhea or constipation.
While a bout of acute diverticulitis often requires restricting fiber intake to allow the colon to rest and heal, many people wonder whether they can still enjoy bacon and other meats during a flare-up. Here is a complete guide on eating bacon with diverticulitis.
What is Diverticulitis?
Diverticulosis occurs when small, tear-shaped pouches bulge outward through weak spots in the muscular wall of the colon. These pouches are known as diverticula (diverticulum, singular).
Diverticulosis itself causes no issues for most people. However in around 5% of cases, diverticula can become inflamed or infected. This condition is called diverticulitis.
Acute diverticulitis flare-ups cause symptoms like:
- Left lower abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Constipation or diarrhea
Treatment for acute diverticulitis typically involves antibiotics, bowel rest, and a temporary liquid diet until inflammation subsides. For recurring or serious cases, surgery may be required to remove damaged sections of the colon.
Can You Eat Bacon With Diverticulitis?
During an acute diverticulitis attack, doctors recommend a low fiber, low residue diet to give the colon time to rest and heal. This means restricting fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, and nuts.
However, meat and poultry do not need to be avoided with diverticulitis. In fact, they are recommended. Tender cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, or turkey are safe, nutritious options that provide protein without aggravating the colon.
This includes bacon, which is low in fiber. Both regular smoked bacon and turkey bacon are permitted during diverticulitis flares when following a low-residue diet.
In moderation, bacon can be a tasty source of protein to help maintain strength and energy levels throughout an episode of diverticulitis.
Benefits of Eating Bacon With Diverticulitis
Enjoying a few slices of bacon while dealing with diverticulitis offers several benefits:
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Low fiber – Unlike fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, bacon contains little fiber, which is recommended to allow colon rest.
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Protein – Bacon provides high-quality protein, which helps maintain and repair body tissues. This aids healing.
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Fluids – Bacon fat enhances flavor of broths or clear juices, important for hydration.
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Variety – Bacon adds welcome flavor and texture variety to limited diets.
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Nutrients – Bacon contains useful nutrients like selenium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins B6 and B12.
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Calories – The high calorie density helps prevent weight loss during acute flare-ups.
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Comfort food – Enjoying familiar, favorite foods like bacon improves morale while ill.
So bacon can be a smart addition to a diverticulitis-friendly meal plan for both nutritional and emotional health. Just practice portion control, as bacon is high in saturated fat and sodium.
How Much Bacon Can You Eat With Diverticulitis?
While bacon is allowed on a diverticulitis diet, it’s best consumed in moderation. The American Heart Association recommends limiting processed meat like bacon to no more than 2 servings per week as part of a healthy diet.
A serving of bacon equals about 2-3 strips, or around 1 ounce. This provides:
- 43 calories
- 3.7g fat (1.3g saturated)
- 268mg sodium
Consuming more than the recommended serving size of bacon frequently can increase the risk of health issues like heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure over time.
During a short-term diverticulitis flare, it’s reasonable to enjoy a serving of bacon daily. But return to more modest intake once recovered to support overall health.
Opt for leaner bacon options like center-cut bacon or turkey bacon, and avoid fatty preparation methods like frying in grease. Grilling, baking, or microwaving helps reduce calories.
Is Bacon Good or Bad for Diverticulitis?
While bacon is permissible for acute diverticulitis episodes, some evidence links high long-term intake to increased diverticulitis risk.
A large 2018 study found men who consumed the most red meat overall had a 58% higher chance of developing diverticulitis compared to those with low intake. However, the study did not specifically analyze bacon.
So enjoying the occasional serving of bacon likely poses little diverticulitis risk. But limiting intake as part of an overall healthy diet high in fiber and plant foods may help prevent diverticulitis over the long-term.
For individuals who already have diverticulosis or a history of diverticulitis, a predominantly plant-based diet with minimal red meat seems ideal for reducing inflammation and complications.
Bacon is certainly not required or essential for the management of diverticulitis. Yet used judiciously, it can be included as an option for added calories, protein, and flavor.
Tips for Eating Bacon With Diverticulitis
Follow these tips for safely enjoying bacon as part of a low-residue diverticulitis diet:
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Stick to 2-3 strips per serving and limit to once daily.
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Choose center-cut or turkey bacon for less fat and sodium.
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Opt for grilled, baked or microwaved instead of pan-fried.
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Combine with soft, low fiber foods like eggs or white toast.
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Avoid stacking bacon on burgers, sandwiches or salads.
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Don’t overdo portion sizes, even if very hungry.
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Stay well hydrated and take diverticulitis medications as prescribed.
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Stop eating bacon if it seems to worsen symptoms.
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Transition back to a wholesome high fiber diet after recovering.
Sample Low-Residue Diverticulitis Diet With Bacon
Here is a sample one-day low-fiber diverticulitis diet incorporating moderate bacon intake:
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Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs with 1-2 slices turkey bacon + decaf tea/coffee
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Lunch: Chicken noodle soup with saltines + ginger ale
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Dinner: 3oz grilled salmon with white rice and cooked carrots + water
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Snacks: low-fiber cereal with lactose-free milk, banana, vanilla ice cream, clear broth
This provides adequate calories, protein, and nutrients without excess bacon or irritating high-fiber foods. Be sure to stay hydrated with clear fluids between meals.
The Bottom Line
Bacon and other tender meats like poultry, fish, beef, and pork are perfectly acceptable components of an anti-inflammatory low-residue diet during diverticulitis flares. Just be mindful of portion sizes, and opt for leaner cooking methods.
In moderation, bacon can add protein, nutrients, and comfort to limited acute diverticulitis diets without posingadded risk. But for long-term diverticulitis prevention, emphasize wholesome high fiber foods, and limit red meats.
With the right balance, those with diverticulosis or diverticulitis can still enjoy the savory flavors of bacon on occasion while supporting intestinal and overall health. Discuss any diet changes with your doctor to manage diverticulitis safely and effectively.
Foods To Avoid If You Have Diverticulitis
There are certain foods to avoid with diverticulosis. Here is a list of the top ones:
FODMAPs are carbohydrates. It stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. Low FODMAP diets might help some people with diverticulitis. According to research, a low FODMAP diet may help keep the colon from having too much pressure, which can stop or fix diverticulitis. You should avoid the following foods:
- certain fruits, such as pears, apples and plums
- dairy foods, such as milk, yogurt, and ice cream
- Fermented foods, including sauerkraut and kimchi
- Cabbage
- beans
- onions and garlic
- Brussels sprouts
Red & Processed Meat
If your diverticulitis symptoms get worse after eating steak, this may be another thing you should stay away from. Red and processed meats, like beef, pork, and lamb, may make you more likely to get diverticulitis or make your symptoms worse if you already have it, according to studies.
What Foods Trigger Diverticulitis?
Does Bacon cause diverticulitis?
However the lack of any clear association between bacon and diverticulitis isn’t a reason to think processed meats are off the hook. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) recommends that people consume little, if any, processed meat, including bacon, as no level is safe and the link with colorectal cancer is clear-cut.
What foods should I avoid if I have diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is caused by the higher pressure in intestinal tract and is the manifestation of intestinal mucosal or muscular damage. Generally, there is no correlation between food and diverticulitis, and decreasing irritating food maybe help to avoid diverticulitis.
Can you eat meat if you have diverticulitis?
Meat and poultry are low-fiber foods that are among the safe ones to eat when you are dealing with a diverticulitis flare-up. However, a high red meat diet might not be good if you don’t already have diverticulitis and don’t want to develop it. What Is Diverticulitis?
What should I eat if I have diverticulitis?
You may then have to start all over again. It is also recommended to initially eat a low fiber diet during and immediately after a bout of diverticulitis. Examples of low-fiber foods include white bread, white rice, and white potatoes. Long-term, a diet full of fiber-rich foods is recommended.
Can a healthy diet reduce diverticulitis risk?
The researchers found that a reduced risk of diverticulitis may be associated with an anti-inflammatory diet that includes higher amounts of leafy green vegetables, dark yellow vegetables, coffee, and tea, and lower amounts of red meat, processed meat, refined grains, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
Can you eat fruit if you have diverticulitis?
Juice, tea, and water: Keep juice pulp-free so it doesn’t irritate your colon (like apple, grape, or cranberry, instead of orange). In the past, physicians used to recommend that patients with diverticulitis avoid all nuts, seeds, and corn products, but healthcare providers know now that those restrictions don’t need to be applied to all patients.