Yes, you can eat cheese with a colostomy bag, but moderation is key, as dairy can cause gas, odor, or thicken output, while aged cheeses and low-fat/lactose-free options are generally better, especially for thickening stool if needed; always start with small amounts and monitor your body's reaction to avoid issues like blockages or increased output.
Aim for two portions per day of the following: meat, poultry, fish, eggs, lentils, tofu, quorn or beans (which are also good sources of iron). Aim for two to three portions a day: milk, cheese or yoghurt (which are also a good source of calcium, protein and energy).
Avoiding high-fiber foods: High-fiber foods can have difficulty passing through the intestine and exiting the stoma. Don't eat raw vegetables, coconut, corn, nuts, dried fruit, popcorn or other foods with lots of fiber.
A guide to foods not to eat when you have a colostomy bag
During this period, there are foods you should avoid. They may have a negative impact on digestion and affect your colostomy bag. Stay away from these foods when you've recently had colostomy surgery: Dairy products, with the exception of small amount of yogurt.
Foods that are reported to help thicken the stoma output include apple sauce, bananas, buttermilk, cheese, marshmallows, jelly babies, (boiled) milk, noodles, smooth creamy peanut butter, rice, tapioca pudding, toast, potatoes and yoghurt.
Anything with skins, pips and seeds e.g., berry fruits. Stringy fruits like rhubarb, coconut, and dried fruits. These can increase output and may cause an obstruction or blockage. Tough fibrous vegetables and foods with tough shells e.g., peas, sweetcorn, popcorn, beans, celery, mushrooms, nuts.
Dairy Products
Milk, cheese, and ice cream contain minimal dietary fiber while being rich in proteins and fats that slow digestive processes. The calcium in dairy products can bind with other substances in the intestines, creating harder stools that are difficult to pass.
There's no reason why you can't eat your favourite pizza when you have a stoma. Just be aware that greasy food in general can cause tummy upsets.
It's best to eat mostly bland, low-fiber foods for the first few weeks after your surgery. Bland foods are cooked, easy-to-digest foods that aren't spicy, heavy, or fried. Eating bland foods will help you avoid uncomfortable symptoms, such as: Diarrhea (loose or watery bowel movements)
Be careful around pets and children who may unintentionally dislodge or damage your colostomy bag. Avoid food and drinks that cause flatulence, such as carbonated beverages, beans, cauliflower, and cabbage. Once the stoma has healed, you can play sports and exercise.
Foods Not to Eat with an Ileostomy or Colostomy
Raw vegetables, including salad e.g. lettuce, celery, raw bell-peppers and spring onions.
Having diarrhoea will often mean that the stoma bag needs to be changed much more regularly than usual. This can mean that you go through supplies much quicker and also lead to irritation of the peristomal skin.
Here are a few guidelines: Coffee and tea are fine, but as with anything else be aware of any reactions in your digestive system. Carbonated drinks in general can cause gas. Beer can cause the output from the ostomy to become more liquid.
Stoma diet advice
You should be able to eat normal foods and return back to the food you enjoyed before your surgery. You may find that some foods can upset your stoma, but this may be a one off and we would advise you to try them again in a couple of weeks after surgery.
What are the Most Common Stoma Complications?
Cheese is a great source of calcium and can also lower the risk of heart disease. It is possible that your bone strength may decrease after surgery, so consuming cheese will help restore strong bone development. Swelling and bruising are common after surgery.
Diet after Ostomy
Avoid spicy, fried, or sugary foods. If you experience loose or runny stools, try eating the following foods that may thicken stools: banana, applesauce, pasta, potatoes, tapioca, rice, smooth peanut butter, or cheese.
If you have an ileostomy you will most likely be wearing a drainable pouch, which you can empty throughout the day and change your pouch every 2-3 days or however long you feel your wafer can last.
You must still include fibre in your diet. Choose some foods from the following list daily: Wholemeal bread. High fibre cereal e.g. Weetabix, porridge.
Tough cuts of meat, such as steak and pork chops, can become problematic for ostomates and it is recommended to avoid them if you have a stoma. This is due to the increase in risk of blockages and irritation around the stoma site, similar to high fibre foods.
As an ostomate, you can wear whatever you want to wear. The key is finding clothing that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and secure. There are no limitations to your fashion choices, but some people prefer to conceal their ostomy pouches.
Coffee, tea, and ostomies
Coffee and tea are fine to drink with an ostomy, but caffeinated versions have the ability to dehydrate. Be careful not to use coffee or tea as a substitute for water.
Whilst lactose in cheese can trigger IBS symptoms, it may also be down to the high fat content. Even a low lactose cheese can cause IBS flare ups if eaten in excess. But cheese may be ok in small portions for many people with IBS. You don't need to go completely dairy free.
So those with particularly sensitive stomachs will want to avoid creamier varieties such as ricotta or cottage cheese at all costs. Sugar is the primary component of lactose that makes it difficult to digest, which means that aged, hard cheeses—which have a lower sugar content—are easier on the stomach.
To empty your bowels completely, use the "brace and bulge" technique with proper posture: sit on the toilet, use a footstool to get knees higher than hips, lean forward with elbows on knees, brace your abdomen (like preparing for a punch) to widen your waist, then gently push your belly out ("bulge") while breathing normally to open the anal sphincter, helping to empty without straining. Combining this with hydration and fiber is key for regularity.