Modified Diet: Colostomy and Ileostomy Diet Guidelines HF#293

Nutrition is crucial to your well-being.  The foods you choose to eat provide both nourishment and pleasure. Now that you have an ostomy, you should be able to eat most of the foods you enjoyed before surgery except a few.  Many people with ostomies can enjoy a normal diet; but food tolerances can vary from person to person. 

 

Follow these simple food guidelines:

• Eat meals regularly.  You should eat three or more times a day.  Small frequent meals may be better tolerated and produce less gas.
• Chew your food thoroughly.  Chewing well will help avoid a blockage.
• Eat in moderation and slowly.  Too much of any food can cause problems, so eat moderate amounts and eat slowly to allow for proper chewing and digestion.  If a new food seems to give you problems, don’t eat it for a few weeks, but try it again later.
• Drink plenty of fluid daily.  You may lose more body fluids through the ostomy, so you must stay hydrated.  Patients who have lost a large part of their large intestine will notice more fluid loss.  This is because most of the body’s fluid is reabsorbed in the large intestine.
• Above all, keep mind that no two people will react the same to foods.  You will learn through experience which foods, if any, you should avoid.

Reduce gas and odor

 

Gas is normal but if you feel you are having excess gas, you may try to change your diet to get rid of the problem.  Try these tips:

• Eat regularly.  Do not skip meals.
• Do not swallow air while eating. Relax and eat slowly.
• Avoid chewing gum or drinking through a straw.
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water, cranberry juice, or other non-caffeinated beverages. 

Foods that may cause gas or odor:

 

Asparagus	Cabbage	Dried beans/peas	Onions
Apples	Carbonated beverages	Eggs	Prunes
Bananas	Cauliflower	Fatty foods	Radishes
Beer	Corn	Grapes	Turnips
Broccoli	Cucumber	Green pepper
Brussels sprouts	Dairy products	Melons

 

Foods that may help relieve gas and odor:

 

Yogurt with active cultures

Buttermilk

Cranberry Juice

Parsley

 

Prevent Blockage

 

Certain foods, if eaten in large amounts and not chewed well, may cause blockage.  Use caution when eating these foods.  Eat them in small amounts and be sure to chew them thoroughly.

 

Celery	Dried fruits	Nuts	Popcorn
Coleslaw	Meat casings	Peas	Salad greens
Corn, especially corn on cob	Mushrooms	Pineapple	Seeds

 

The thickness of your stools depends to a certain extent on where your stoma is placed in your gastrointestinal tract.  When the stoma is higher up in the GI tract, the stools tend to be looser.  In some cases, a loose stool may be the result of eating certain foods. 

 

Foods that may cause loose stools:

 

Alcoholic drinks	Chocolate	Grape Juice	Prune juice
Apple juice	Coffee	Green leafy vegetables	Spiced foods
Baked beans	Dairy	Licorice	Tomatoes

 

Foods that may help thicken stools:

 

Applesauce	Cream of rice	Peanut butter (creamy)	Tapioca
Bananas	Marshmallows	Rice	Weak tea
Cheese	Mashed potatoes	Soda crackers

 

A Special Note for Ileostomy Patients

 

A person with an ileostomy loses large amounts of salt, potassium and water in the ostomy fluid.  Losing too much can lead to dehydration.  You need to include a number of good sources of sodium and potassium in your daily diet.  It is helpful to consume water or sugar free, non-carbonated beverages throughout the day.  Sports drinks can be used because of their electrolyte content.  The color of your urine should be clear to pale yellow, if it is darker increase your fluid intake.

 

In general, meats, legumes, vegetables, and fruits are good sources of potassium.  Some others include bananas, orange juice, tomatoes, and potatoes.

 

Above all, remember to eat a healthy, well balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids!

 

Internet resource for patients who have an internal ileal pouch:    www.J-pouch.org

 

If you have more questions please contact UW Health at one of the phone numbers listed below.

 

 

 

 

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 11/27/2012

Copyright © 11/27/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#293

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