[Natalie42]

As I have diverticulitis (an inflammation of the intestine) I need to eat a high fibre diet. Unfortunately, the same foods that have lots of fibre - deriving from plants - are the same foods that are high in carbohydrate.

How do other LCHF people deal with this? Do you generally ignore fibre recommendations or do you find you get enough (25g per day for a woman and I should have 30g due to my condition) through lots of non-starchy vegetables? The highest fibre foods, like grains and beans, would be avoided on LCHF. Do you take fibre supplements?

I assume that for most diabetics, getting "enough" fibre is considered less important than lowering carbs, but I am trying to balance both issues.

 

[VeeJay]

Flaxseed meal, which is used a lot in low-carb baking, is mostly fiber so you could maybe make some LC muffins with it. You could also add psyllium husk powder to add to the fiber (might change the texture, though - would have to experiment.) Avocados have a lot of fiber in them.

Have you done an Internet search for "high fiber vegetables"? Might bring up some other options.

There's no reason you couldn't take a fiber supplement - but be sure it doesn't have sugar added to it.

For me, personally, as long as I eat very-high-fat, I have no problems. Cut back on the fat and, well, not good.

 

[Kristin251]

Fiber kills me. I can eat avocados and green veggies in moderation. I have zero issues with protein and fat.

Have you ever read Fiber Menace? Gut sense? Good reads about how fiber can be worse for people with gut issues and we don't need it. I sure don't. I get enough from my green veggies and I can't over eat them. Personally I think fiber is over rated. I like to keep things moving so to speak. If you have the opposite problem then maybe you need more fiber but it stops digestion in it's track for me

 

[Natalie42]

Kristin251, I don't have problems either way with things moving, but I have a lot of pelvic pain from inflammation. Everything I've been told by my doctor and read online says I can eat low-fibre during a flare up to give my intestine a rest but then need high fibre to keep it healthy. Not that I believe everything I read or am told these days, but I've never seen any different advice.

 

[smorgan]

Kristin251, I don't have problems either way with things moving, but I have a lot of pelvic pain from inflammation. Everything I've been told by my doctor and read online says I can eat low-fibre during a flare up to give my intestine a rest but then need high fibre to keep it healthy. Not that I believe everything I read or am told these days, but I've never seen any different advice.

My experience is similar to Kristin's. The less fibre I eat the better. It's actually one of the things I have to be careful not to eat too much of. Everything works fine at zero fibre and it's also no problem "in moderation".

Your doctor's advice above appears nonsensical on its face. If stopping fiber is good during "flare-ups", why would it be needed at any other time.

Generally, I think taking fiber for "regularity" is like taking glucose for hyperglycemia. What it actually does is produce wider oscillations between the two extremes. This is how millions have been able to fool themselves that fiber "solves" this particular problem. If and when things swing the other way, they just conclude that they need for fiber and the extremes continue.

 

[Kristin251]

Your doctor's advice above appears nonsensical on its face. If stopping fiber is good during "flare-ups", why would it be needed at any other time.

Exactly!!! If fiber needs to be reduced because it is causing distress during flare ups wouldn't it make sense that maybe "IT" caused the flare up?
Too much fiber always causes me pain and constipation. I can't even look at Metamucil or flax seeds without cringing. Once again, fiber is over rated and can cause more trouble than good IMO. Why would you need to reduce fiber to give your intestines a rest if it's good for you? If it's good for you , you shouldn't need a 'rest'.
Some people do very well with fiber and others don't. No 'one' amount of fiber fits all

 

[Natalie42]

Something that can be bad during illness can be good other times, like you could argue that you shouldn't exercise an injured body part, but that exercise in general is good and builds strength and resilience. Nevertheless I take your point. I am feeling rather overwhelmed with advice that is opposite to everything I've been told all my life. Not just about fibre, but every time you turn around there is new diet advice from a new expert. Can't keep up.

 

[smorgan]

My experience is similar to Kristin's. The less fibre I eat the better. It's actually one of the things I have to be careful not to eat too much of. Everything works fine at zero fibre and it's also no problem "in moderation".

Your doctor's advice above appears nonsensical on its face. If stopping fiber is good during "flare-ups", why would it be needed at any other time.

Generally, I think taking fiber for "regularity" is like taking glucose for hyperglycemia. What it actually does is produce wider oscillations between the two extremes. This is how millions have been able to fool themselves that fiber "solves" this particular problem. If and when things swing the other way, they just conclude that they need for fiber and the extremes continue.

Sorry, I meant:

"taking fiber for "regularity" is like taking glucose for HYPOglycemia"

 

[Shanny]

Kristin251, I don't have problems either way with things moving, but I have a lot of pelvic pain from inflammation. Everything I've been told by my doctor and read online says I can eat low-fibre during a flare up to give my intestine a rest but then need high fibre to keep it healthy. Not that I believe everything I read or am told these days, but I've never seen any different advice.

Since regularity is not an issue, then if I were faced with such divergent dietary advice, I would control my blood sugar first, and if/when that started causing diverticular issues, modify to whatever extent relieves those issues. You know you body better than any doctor, and it strikes me that fiber comes in many shapes and sizes, not all of which necessarily distress your colon or even soothe it. Dark leafy greens (extremely low carb) are high fiber - you don't have to start adding wheat bran to everything. Find out what works and run with it, regardless of what the doc says. They don't know everything.

 

[Natalie42]

Since regularity is not an issue, then if I were faced with such divergent dietary advice, I would control my blood sugar first, and if/when that started causing diverticular issues, modify to whatever extent relieves those issues. You know you body better than any doctor, and it strikes me that fiber comes in many shapes and sizes, not all of which necessarily distress your colon or even soothe it. Dark leafy greens (extremely low carb) are high fiber - you don't have to start adding wheat bran to everything. Find out what works and run with it, regardless of what the doc says. They don't know everything.

Thanks Shanny, I'll look for things like that and see how I go.

 

[VeeJay]

Here's another bit to add to the discussion. High carbs, and wheat in general, cause inflammation throughout the body. Going LCHF and eliminating grains can greatly reduce inflammation - perhaps it would help your condition overall.

 

[gotsomeold]

glucomannan is my favorite add-a-fiber. It is soluble, expands into quite a sponge when it gets wet. BUT, add it to soup or sauce and you get enhanced texture with no added flavor. I buy capsules. Break them open and stir them into liquids one at a time.

 

[Natalie42]

Here's another bit to add to the discussion. High carbs, and wheat in general, cause inflammation throughout the body. Going LCHF and eliminating grains can greatly reduce inflammation - perhaps it would help your condition overall.

Inflammation seems to be the main trigger for a lot of health problems.

 

[Kristin251]

Inflammation seems to be the main trigger for a lot of health problems

You can say that again! and again!