Foods to include in your diet Low-fiber foods, such as: White bread, pasta, and rice. Bagels, rolls, and crackers made from white or refined flour. Cereals made from white or refined flour (such as Cream of Wheat®, Rice Chex™, and Rice Krispies®)
The low fibre versions are better tolerated so try white bread, breakfast cereals like rice krispies or cornflakes, white rice/pasta, and avoid skins on potatoes. These provide protein, vitamins and minerals which is essential for health and repair of body tissues.
After having an ileostomy, you should avoid foods rich in insoluble fiber (bran-enriched breads and cereals, certain fruits and vegetables, legumes, and dried beans) and eat more foods rich in soluble fiber (oats, rye, barley, apples, bananas).
Do not eat foods that may cause a blockage. Foods that are high in fiber: Whole-grain foods such as whole-wheat breads, brown rice, or oats.
Fibrous foods such as wholemeal bread and vegetable skins are difficult to digest and may cause a blockage if they are eaten in large quantities or not well chewed when your bowel is still swollen following surgery and should therefore be gradually re-introduced into your diet.
This is why most people with a colostomy can eat a normal, well-balanced diet with an adequate fluid intake and not require any dietary restrictions. However, the way your body adapts, tolerates or responds after surgery to certain foods or drinks is very individual.
You can eat whatever you want if you have an ostomy
If you have a colostomy or ileostomy, you'll find that various foods affect your digestive tract differently. Just as some foods gave you gas before your surgery, you'll likely experience gas with certain foods now that you have an ostomy.
Foods to include in your diet
Well-cooked vegetables without skins or seeds (such as peeled potatoes, peeled zucchini with the seeds removed, and peeled tomatoes with the seeds removed)
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.
Other foods that colostomy patients tolerate well are bananas, tapioca, sticky white rice, and white toast. Small quantities of lean animal proteins are also beneficial. The aim is to eat foods that don't place an additional burden on your digestive system.
Carbonated drinks in general can cause gas. Beer can cause the output from the ostomy to become more liquid.
One major issue to watch out for with a stoma is the laxative effect of some chocolates. The caffeine and fibre within the chocolate can increase the rate of motility (which is the contraction of the muscles in the digestive tract that encourage bowel movements).
Foods to avoid
Examples are: Apples Strawberries Blueberries Grapes These fruits may cause an ileostomy blockage.
Fruit with skin or that is stringy and fibrous e.g. non-peeled apples, oranges with lots of pith (white stringy bits), rhubarb, pineapple, figs, dates and coconut. Under-ripe fruit e.g. green bananas, green mangos. Fruit with pips or seeds e.g. berries like raspberries and blackberries.
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.
Fluids such as water, coffee, tea and juice are generally fine. If the volume of your ileostomy is higher than usual and/or the colour of your urine is darker than usual, you may need to change the type of fluid you are drinking in order to stay well hydrated.
Roast potatoes – enjoy as is. Yorkshire Pudding – enjoy as is. Roasted root vegetables e.g., parsnips and carrots, neeps and tatties: peel them, cook them until soft and enjoy with your favourite flavourings such as honey and spices.
Stoma dietary tips for the early days
It is important to increase your intake of calories, fat and protein to aid your body's healing process. In addition to your normal diet, you should look to include the following foods: Full fat milk and cheese.
After an ileostomy, it may be harder to digest foods that are high in fiber, such as raw vegetables, popcorn, and nuts. Eaten in large amounts, these foods can clump together. Then they get stuck in the small intestine, causing a blockage.
Eat small meals often. Try to have 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones. Eat slowly and chew your food well. Drink 8 to 10 (8-ounce) glasses (about 2 liters) of liquids every day.
Try sizing up for a looser fit or if you like wearing jeans give jeggings a go as these will have an elasticated waist band and leggings are looser and more comfortable. Make sure to have a waistband sitting just above the stoma, applying pressure to the top of the pouch.
Eat foods that thicken the stool such as: rice, pasta, cheese, bananas, applesauce, smooth peanut butter, pretzels, yogurt, and marshmallows. Drink 2 or 3 glasses of fluid that will replace electrolytes like sports drinks, fruit or vegetable juice and broth but limit these items.
The inclusion of medical grade Manuka honey in the flange may help to promote healthy skin around the stoma.