Can patients with appendicitis eat purple sweet potatoes?
Jun 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Purple sweet potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and natural pigments such as anthocyanins, which are beneficial to human health, including promoting intestinal health, lowering cholesterol, and providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. For patients with appendicitis, an appropriate amount of dietary fiber can aid gastrointestinal motility and may help relieve issues such as constipation.
Generally, patients with appendicitis can eat purple sweet potatoes, but in moderation. Specific details are as follows:
If the appendicitis patient is in a stable phase, purple sweet potatoes, which are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, can be consumed moderately as part of a healthy diet. The dietary fiber in purple sweet potatoes helps promote intestinal motility and prevent constipation, but the food should be thoroughly cooked and softened to reduce gastrointestinal burden.
During treatment, patients with appendicitis should choose bland, easily digestible foods, such as millet porridge, fruit and vegetable juices, noodles, and other liquid or semi-liquid foods. At the same time, they should consume more foods rich in high-quality protein, such as eggs, fish, milk, etc., to enhance immune function and promote wound healing. Purple sweet potatoes can be part of this diet, but should not replace staple foods or be consumed in large quantities.
If the appendicitis patient is in the acute exacerbation phase, strict fasting or consumption of only liquid foods is required. Purple sweet potatoes contain significant dietary fiber and resistant starch, which may worsen abdominal distension and pain.
