Can I Eat Salmon with Diverticulitis? A Guide to Fish and Seafood on a Diverticulitis Diet

Diverticulitis is a common digestive condition that impacts the large intestine and causes small pouches called diverticula to form along the intestinal walls. When these pouches become inflamed or infected, it results in the condition known as diverticulitis. Symptoms of diverticulitis can include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel habits. To help manage diverticulitis symptoms and prevent future flare-ups, dietary modifications are often recommended. This leads many people with diverticulitis to wonder: can I eat salmon and other fish and seafood while following a diverticulitis diet?

An Overview of Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis develops when the small sacs or pouches that line the colon become inflamed or infected This often occurs when stool becomes trapped in the pouches Diverticulitis can range from mild to severe. Mild cases are known as uncomplicated diverticulitis and severe cases are called complicated diverticulitis.

The symptoms of uncomplicated diverticulitis generally include:

Lower abdominal pain
Fever
Chills
Cramping
Constipation
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting

With complicated diverticulitis, the symptoms are more severe and can include:

High fever
Severe abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Bowel obstruction
Abscesses
Perforations or tears in the colon

Diverticulitis requires medical treatment, which typically involves a liquid diet, antibiotics, and rest. Some severe cases may require hospitalization or surgery After the acute infection has resolved, dietary modifications are recommended to prevent future diverticulitis flare-ups

Can You Eat Salmon and Other Fish/Seafood with Diverticulitis?

During an acute diverticulitis flare-up, a low-fiber, low-residue diet is typically recommended to give the colon a chance to rest and recover. Foods like whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts, and legumes are limited. However, animal proteins like poultry, eggs, fish, and seafood are usually allowed and encouraged.

Salmon and other fish and seafood can be great options for those with diverticulitis for the following reasons:

They are naturally low in fiber.
They provide high-quality protein to help heal the tissues.
They have anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids to reduce intestinal inflammation.
They are low-residue and easily digested.
They contain important nutrients like vitamin D, selenium, vitamin B12, and zinc.

Salmon, halibut, tuna, tilapia, shrimp, crab and other seafood are excellent choices when you have diverticulitis. They supply protein and nutrients without excess fiber or irritation to the colon.

It’s generally recommended to avoid breaded or fried fish and opt for baked, broiled, grilled or poached. Salmon burgers or salmon cakes made with minimal binding ingredients are also good options. Canned salmon and tuna can make an easy, diverticulitis-friendly meal as well.

Sample Low-Fiber Diverticulitis Diet Meals with Fish

Here are some sample low-fiber meal ideas featuring salmon and other fish for a diverticulitis diet:

Breakfast

Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and sliced avocado
Oatmeal made with almond milk, blueberries, and ground flaxseed
Yogurt with strawberries and slivered almonds

Lunch

Tuna salad made with olive oil mayo on white bread with lettuce and tomato
Salmon burgers on a whole wheat bun with roasted sweet potato fries
Shrimp spring rolls made with rice paper wrappers

Dinner

Baked cod with dill sauce, white rice, and steamed carrots
Blackened salmon with cauliflower mash and sautéed zucchini
Crab cakes with remoulade sauce, quinoa, and green salad

Snacks

Smoked salmon and cream cheese roll-ups
Tuna salad stuffed in a hollowed-out tomato
Seafood salad made with shrimp, crabmeat and Greek yogurt ranch dressing

Long-Term Diet to Prevent Diverticulitis

While a low-fiber diet is recommended during acute flare-ups, the long-term diet to prevent future diverticulitis should be high in fiber. Aim for 25-35 grams of fiber daily from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Salmon is a great choice to include regularly in a high-fiber diverticulitis prevention diet. Salmon provides omega-3s to reduce inflammation as well as protein, vitamins and minerals.

Other high-fiber foods to emphasize include:

Fruits: apples, pears, oranges, bananas, berries
Vegetables: broccoli, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes
Whole grains: oats, brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta
Legumes: lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans
Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds

Drink plenty of fluids and get regular exercise as part of your high-fiber diverticulitis diet as well. Limit red meat and processed foods linked to higher diverticulitis risk. Aim to maintain a healthy body weight. If you’ve had diverticulitis before, speak to your doctor before making major dietary changes.

The Bottom Line

Salmon and other low-fiber seafood are great choices for a diverticulitis diet. During flare-ups, opt for baked, broiled or poached fish and seafood. Canned salmon and tuna are convenient options too. Salmon and fish provide protein for healing without excess fiber to irritate the colon. Including salmon as part of an overall high-fiber diet may help prevent future diverticulitis episodes. Check with your doctor or dietitian to create a personalized diverticulitis diet that allows you to manage symptoms while nourishing your body.

Diverticulitis: What’s A Good Diet Plan?

FAQ

Can I eat fish with diverticulitis?

Your healthcare provider may advise a liquid diet. This gives your bowel a chance to rest so that it can recover. Include these foods: flake cereal, mashed potatoes, pancakes, waffles, pasta, white bread, rice, applesauce, bananas, eggs, fish, poultry, tofu, and well-cooked vegetables.

What foods irritate diverticulitis?

Actually, no specific foods are known to trigger diverticulitis attacks. And no special diet has been proved to prevent attacks. In the past, people with small pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the colon were told to avoid nuts, seeds and popcorn.

What meats can you eat with diverticulitis?

But people experiencing a flare-up may be better off avoiding high fiber foods. Limiting red and processed meat may also reduce risk and symptoms. Replacing them with poultry, fish, and plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes may be a sensible approach.

Can I eat spaghetti with diverticulitis?

Can you eat spaghetti with diverticulitis? A low-fiber diet is recommended to manage diverticulitis symptoms. While meatballs and meaty spaghetti sauces are not advised, plain, white pasta is allowed.

Can people with diverticulitis eat seeds?

The UCSF noted that it is safe for people living with diverticulitis to eat nuts, popcorn, and seeds, including pumpkin and sesame seeds. Experts also say that it is OK to eat the seeds in tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, strawberries, and raspberries. In the past, doctors may have advised people to remove these foods from their diets.

Can one eat shrimp if they have diverticulitis?

If consumption is without shell and without exaggeration, it is okay for those with diverticulitis to eat shrimp. But my experience inspires me to say that first of all it is good to test a small dose because some individuals may not feel anything but others may have very unpleasant reactions and even make the condition worse.

Can you eat a liquid diet if you have diverticulitis?

A liquid diet is meant to allow your bowels to rest and heal. It is generally recommended to follow a liquid or low-fiber diet only until your diverticulitis symptoms improve. Afterward, you may gradually add solid foods back into your diet along with slowly increasing your fiber intake.

Can you eat a healthy diet if you have diverticulosis?

The good news is your food choices can make a difference. “Although there is not one specific diverticulosis diet, a healthy diet full of fiber-rich foods can help lower that risk,” Cater says. Cater says people with diverticulosis can benefit from eating fiber-rich foods, including: Go slow at first.