Dietary Tips for Ileostomy: Success with Berries?

Hi. I had an ileostomy 4½ years ago. Very few problems so far! I do have some dietary queries, though. It took me ages to realize the initial dietary info I was given was meant to be short term! Anyway, I'm now experimenting a bit more, and I've been successful with raw strawberries and cooked raspberries. I'm looking at making a crumble for this evening and adding blackberries. What are your thoughts/experiences with them, please? Thank you.

Just to say - I made the crumble, ate the crumble, and had no issues so far (2 days after). Thanks, all.

You're making me drool! Yum yum, eat it all gone; that's my experience with it. Never had any problems with it. Pleased you're finding more confidence to try new foods. I always say bin those foods to avoid lists; they do more harm than good, giving people a fear of food for no reason. Just try everything in small portions and see how it goes down and out; it's the only way. Had my ileostomy in my late teens. I think as I was young, it stopped me from having any fears about food. I just eat anything and everything from the start, remembering eating raw onions in a salad about one week after surgery.

I don't eat berries, so I can't help you much with this. You can try it and just eat a little bit, and then see how it goes. If it goes well, you can eat a little bit more the next time. When adding foods in, I find it best to start with a very small amount at first and see how it digests, and then if it goes well, you can add more. If you have issues, it won't be as big of an issue as if you had eaten a lot of that food. And it might not lead to a blockage.

Since you've been successful with raw strawberries and cooked raspberries, it seems reasonable to try blackberries. Start small and see how it goes.

You're making me jealous. I can't have berries right now because I'm on a strict low-residue diet...

Ileostomy here, about the same age as yours. I eat anything and everything. Just finished pigging out on blackberries, actually, as they are in season here. I chew everything to a pulp and keep well hydrated. There are a couple of adjustments I've made. I peel apples, as apple peel is just too tough to break down well, and when I eat pineapple, I spit out the really fibrous bits. I will eat a lot of the so-called 'forbidden' foods, like corn, mushrooms, and nuts. I do limit corn; I won't eat a great big cob, and as for mushrooms and nuts, I just chew really, really well.

Terry

How to Adjust to Life with an Ostomy with Bruce | Hollister

Do it ..

I eat all the berries raw or cooked without issue. Can't see any problems with blackberries, particularly when cooked in a crumble, the thought of which is kind of making me peckish! 😋

Bon Appétit! 🥧

Oh boy, that sounds good. Everyone is different. Before I had resection surgery a few years ago, I didn't eat much raw fruit, but now it's not a problem, especially berries. Granted, if I overindulge, it's like a laxative. Enjoy.

I've had my ileo for a little over two years. I also was wary about adding foods. In fact, I just recently started eating strawberries for the first time since having the ileo. And I noted someone say something about mandarin oranges on this site a few days ago, so I bought some yesterday.

I did early on eat an unpeeled raw apple. Like someone said earlier, it's probably best to peel apples.

And I go through stages where my main snack is homemade trail mix (with M&Ms, of course).

Like someone said - just need to chew, chew, chew and stay hydrated.

When it comes to any roughage, I try to keep it limited and very well cooked, as well as fiber cereal, nuts, etc. Even cauliflower rice blocked me up to go to the hospital. Raw carrots and nuts did the same. Slim Fast with a lot of fiber got me in trouble too. Somehow, my body cleared all, but I don't want to have another surgery to remove blockage.

Hello, Hecate,

I saw the info about the mandarin oranges and bought some, too. I tried just a few pieces today, and so far, no problems. I would love to try blackberries, but I'm not sure I want to chance a blockage with some of the fruits with seeds.

Berries are the best of the fruits for me to digest - raw or cooked. As they are in season, I've been stocking up the freezer. When the season is over, I will make morning smoothies with orange/apple juice, a handful of frozen berries, and grapes. I had a good crop of apricots this year, and they made a lush smoothie with fresh ginger, OJ, and frozen grapes.

I've never had a problem with seeds or pips, but I did overdo the fresh cherries once! Carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli are my no-gos.

I eat strawberries all the time. When in season (like now), I eat a cut-up mango every morning. I do eat slowly, chew well, and cut pieces small. I eat nectarines and peaches, but I remove the skin. I don't eat any after 6 PM, just to make sure everything is digested before things slow down when I go to bed. I eat after 6, just not fruit or iffy items. Years ago, I got a blockage from cauliflower that was cooked really soft, but I ate too much. Even though it was soft, I think it bunched up and became like glue. A few hours in a hot tub, and it finally passed. I don't eat more than one piece of cauliflower now! (Gives me shivers to remember)

Good to hear, AniS. I'm a little late to the party (probably no crumble left, huh?) I was going to say I've never had any problems with berries. Give it a try. Looks like you did.

Best of health!

SharkFan