True or False: Patients with diverticulitis should avoid seeds and nuts?

The statement that patients with diverticulitis should avoid seeds and nuts is false. Current dietary guidelines suggest that individuals with diverticular disease, including those with diverticulitis, do not need to specifically avoid seeds, nuts, or popcorn. Recent studies indicate that these foods do not increase the risk of diverticulitis or flare-ups of the condition.

In fact, a high-fiber diet is recommended to help prevent diverticulitis and manage overall digestive health. Nuts and seeds, which are high in fiber, can be beneficial rather than harmful to someone with a history of diverticulitis.

The misunderstanding about avoiding these foods likely stems from older beliefs that they could contribute to the formation of diverticula or worsen symptoms. However, newer research has debunked this myth, leading to an evolving perspective on dietary restrictions for these patients. Therefore, the correct choice reflects an understanding that patients can include seeds and nuts in their diet without worry.