Can you eat spaghetti sauce with diverticulitis?
In this short article, we will learn if it is possible to eat spaghetti sauce with diverticulitis. We will also discuss what diverticulitis is, what are its symptoms, and what kind of pasta we can eat.
Can you eat spaghetti sauce with diverticulitis?
Yes, it is possible to eat spaghetti, however, it is important to emphasize that it should be eaten in moderation and that the flour used to make the pasta should be refined flour rather than whole wheat flour.
In the same way, eating tomato sauce is allowed but we must keep in mind that any food containing small pieces such as seeds is difficult to digest so it is suggested to remove the seeds from the tomato and make the sauce only with the pulp since the pure and the sauce is not a problem to consume.
When we have a medical condition such as diverticulitis, it is necessary to have a rigorous diet to avoid any complications.
What is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is a type of disease that affects the digestive tract. It is a serious medical condition that causes inflamed pouches in the lining of your intestine. These pouches are called diverticula. They develop when weak spots in the wall of your intestine give way to pressure, causing parts of them to bulge.
In most cases, the pouches form in the large intestine, which is also called the colon. Frequently, diverticula exists without infection or inflammation. This condition is known as diverticulosis, a less serious condition than diverticulitis. Diverticulosis is more common as people age, occurring in about half of all people over the age of 60.
What foods can you consume?
Each patient is different and you should consult a medical doctor or nutritionist who will look at your specific case, however below are general dietary options for someone with diverticulitis.
- White rice, white bread, or white pasta, but avoid foods containing gluten if you have an intolerance
- Dry, low-fiber cereals
- Processed fruits such as applesauce or canned peaches
- Cooked animal protein such as fish, poultry, or eggs
- Olive oil and other oils
- Yellow squash, zucchini, or pumpkin: shelled, seeded, and cooked
- Spinach, beets, carrots, or asparagus, cooked
- Peeled potatoes
- Fruit and vegetable juices
A clear liquid diet is a more restrictive approach to relieving the symptoms of diverticulitis. Your medical doctor may prescribe it for a short period of time. A clear liquid diet usually consists of:
- Water
- Ice chips
- Ice cream with frozen fruit puree or finely chopped fruit pieces
- Soup or broth
- Gelatin such as Jello-O
- Tea or coffee without creamers, flavorings, or sweeteners
- Clear electrolyte-rich beverages
What foods to avoid with diverticulitis?
Health specialists mainly recommend a low-fiber diet. In addition, follow a diet that is low in carbohydrates such as oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and fermentable polyols. Which include the following foods:
- Fruits, such as apples, pears, and plums
- Dairy foods, such as milk, yogurt, and ice cream
- Fermented foods, such as sauerkraut or kimchi
- Beans
- Cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
- Onions and garlic
Why avoid spaghetti made with whole wheat flour pasta
This is due to the fact that the dietary recommendation for diverticulitis is to follow a low-fiber diet. When we elaborate on the spaghetti pasta it is made with flour that is mainly refined, that is to say, the wheat grain has its shell or pericarp removed, which contains the greatest contribution of fiber.
That is why when spaghetti is made with whole wheat flour it means that the flour is the milling of the whole grain including its shell or pericarp.
In this link, you can find the recipe for a spaghetti sauce
How to prepare a tomato sauce for your spaghetti
To prepare a tomato sauce that you can consume without any problem, you can follow the steps below:
Fill a bowl with cold water and add several ice cubes. Set aside.
Put in a large pot of water to boil. While waiting for the water to boil, make an incision with a paring knife, in the shape of a cross, on the top of each tomato.
Once the water is boiling, submerge the tomatoes in the water and boil them for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the skin begins to peel off (the riper the tomato and the thinner the skin, the faster it will peel off). Immediately transfer the tomatoes to ice water and let them stand for a minute or two until cool.
Drain the tomatoes and remove their skins, which should come right off. Once peeled, cut the tomatoes in half and remove the core. Cut each half into wedges and remove the seeds by pushing the seeds and their juices out with your thumb. Discard the seeds.
Finally, you have 6 cups of peeled slices and 3/4 cup of their juices, all seed free.
Other FAQs about Sauces that you may be interested in.
Can you eat Tzatziki with crackers?
Can you freeze 505 green chile?
Can you freeze aji verde sauce?
Conclusion
In this short article, we learned if it is possible to eat spaghetti sauce with diverticulitis. Additionally, we discussed what diverticulitis is, what are its symptoms, and what kind of pasta we can eat.
