1. Dairy
Not all dairy foods are detrimental to diverticulosis, except those that contain high fat and sugar content. Diary foods such as whole milk, fatty cheese, butter, ice cream, cream and similar dairy products are hard on the intestines because of their composition of fat and sugar content. In addition, a particular sugar, lactose, found in milk along with other dairy products, is difficult to digest and can result in bloating and gas.
The small intestine cannot make sufficient lactase enzyme to digest lactose and problems can ensue for those with diverticulosis. In order for the body to absorb fat from whole milk, the fat in milk must break down into fatty acids. Another enzyme, lipase, breaks down the fat molecules. Without the proper decomposition of fat and sugars, those suffering from diverticulosis will suffer the resulting side effects.
