Food, diet and eating habits with an Ostomy

What foods do you eat? Also I don't have a large intestine so that compounds the problem. What foods to stay away from that cause gas and how does the gas come out, does the pouch expand out, I know NOTHING about this. Consult is Fri-13th, yeah!!!! I dread this and also is anyone expericing acid..... I have alot of anal acid that keeps me raw and in pain, do you think or does anyone know if the acid will be like it is now with an ileo? Thanks to all.

Ileostomate with SBS here. I know some of you all chimed in missing sex but TODAY I miss so many damn foods I just want to honor them here and say hello to them. These are food items I have given up because they either caused blockages, dehydration, diarrhea, or hyper output. Cobb, Caesar, and especially Spinach salad with hot bacon dressing Sweet corn on the cobb dripping with butter and lightly salted Nuts, Sunflower seeds, protein bars with nuts and such. Oranges Potatoes, apples and grapes with skins on (I peel them now) Crispy ...

Hello does anyone know what food to stay away from or what is good. I only had this done so I am all new to this.

Piggybacking on Imperfects "Foods I miss" -- let's list the foods that really go down well. Might give others an idea of what to try. Most pureed things don't cause a problem, so maybe let's limit this to food that we eat non-pureed. Me (ileo): Potatoes (no skin), rice, cooked carrots, small amounts of chicken/ground beef/turkey/fish, avacado, pasta, cheese, cheesie puffs , white bread, cottage cheese, canned mandarin and peaches, plain muffins, Motts low sodium Garden Cocktail Juice, perogies, skim milk, coffee in small amou...

i seem to always be hungry and since i cannot eat raw fruits and veggies..does anyone know what to snack on?? i have an illiostomy so whatever goes in comes out pretty quick  thanks< >

Hello, haven't been on here for awhile, so I will fill you in on what has been going on with me.  Since my diagnosis of cohrones and UC in 07, I have had several surgeries, colonoscopies, sigmoidoscomies, and medication adjustments and it got to the point where everything was affecting my job performance.  I had to resign from my job of 20 years.  On top of everything, I just had surgery done to remove my rectum, colon, and part of my large intestines.  With that in mind, I know that my diet needs to...

Hey....i am finding it very hard not to eat spicy foods..... Does anybody eat them and is it safe?   

hi guys, excuse the small letters in this post but i am dealing with a blockage and have my left hand applying even pressure on my wafer so it doesnt pop off. i cannot for the life of me know what i did wong tonight at dinner to cause this episode? i had some italian bread, cheese, pasta, and apple juice. could the apple juice do this? i prbably havent drank apple juice in years. thoughts?

Just going through a mourning stage for food. I have an ileostomy so no nuts (my favorite snack!) Or seeds or much roughage...my favorite foods right there. Also I am on chemo so no sushi, raw fruit or veg, lunch meats. Also chemo gives me neuropathy so I cant have cold things...bye bye ice cream, yogurt, cereal....Then without chemo, just an ostomy, I must avoid greens (like collard, cabbage etc) as it gets stuck. and broccoli is  no-no because it causes the worst gas...even just a single bite and I end up with a balloon bag. Beef do...

One day last fall our daughter decided she would make us up a crock of homemade beans, damn but they were good, so good I had two (or three) helpings. You all know whats coming. Three O"clock in the morning, up to go to the bathroom but the pouch was three feet ahead of me laying on the floor, just like jet propulsion. So her I am at 3am changing pouches and cleaning up the mess. My wife and daughter still heckle me when the subject of beans come up. I now stick to one serving. It is now Dec. 3 and as I was reading the posts on her...

I am having the colon, rectum and anus removed.  After the surgery what is the best way to start on your food.  Maybe did you start out slowly and then add foods to it.  Did some foods bother you so you waited and tried the foods later after healing.  I know we are all different but just wondering!

Ok so I will live without favorite foods but ugh. I get proctolectomy tomorrow (So no colon, no rectum, I get an ileostomy bag) and many say you can't eat certain foods. Problem is they're healthy healing cancer fighting foods and my favorite foods. Life without nuts, beans, spice (omg the spicier the better I say, at least with a colon intact), salad, greens, peels (like roasted potato with peel) or stuff like onion, cilantro, chunky salsa, peppers, apples. Basically my cancer fighting diet was beans and lentils, seeds and nuts, salads, g...

I'm new at colostomy care. Is there a best time to stop eating in the evening or late afternoon? I have no output during the day. When I wake up in the morning, I need to empty my "pouch". I worry about constipation because I've dealt with this issue all of my life. I now use Benefiber and a colace. I am 4 weeks out of surgery. I feel wonderful, lost 20 pounds.

I'm just over 4 months out from surgery and have the new stoma just 7 weeks or so. I have a problem with food intake and need to know if anyone else suffers from this or help me find a way to fix it...I never use to be a big eater even though I'm a big girl. Before surgery I'd eat a bowl of soup and bowl of cereal and that would be it for the day. Well, that's all changed. I will eat a good meal, 30 minutes later its running in my bag, and a hour later I'm hungry. Not just hungry but usually starving!! I'm like what's going on?? I eat snac...

Before I got Maxine I loved Chinese food.  Since having her, I have shyed away from it as I was told chinese vegtables can cause a wicked blockage and I don't want another one of those.  However, that being said, what sort of chinese food can be eaten without the possiblility of blocking me up?  Do you folks eat it and if so, what do you eat that is ok for your ileostomy?  I just had a revision to remove a stricture so things are working much better but I don't want to topple the boat if you know what I mean.  I wo...

Hello! Have any of you ostomates eaten sushi, sashimi, oyster or any shells! I'm craving for Japanese food and havent eaten them f almost a year! Please advise! Thank you all!

I had an appt with my surgeon and I can finally eat soft food.  Still on TPN until I can get to normal diet.  It is good to have something that taste good.  I have been getting stronger each day. Some days worse than others.  I will start back to work very part time as a teacher two days a week for just a few hours each day.  I will miss having my mother in law here helping. She has been a God Send.  Any suggestions from those who have an ileostomy on how slow or what to eat/not t...

I am trying to find some sort of diet regimen that will result in weight loss that will work in harmony with my food limitations with my ileostomy. Most standard weight loss diets require a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. I have discovered (over the past 30 years when I had my ostomy surgery) that I am extremely limited in what I can eat in the fruits and vegetables department. Too much roughage causes blockages at the ileostomy site and results in leakage from around the wafer. Please help!

Just trying to understand how all this works, so if you eat a meal, how long does it take to reach the stoma? So if you eat a breakfast, is that what you see or are you seeing a previous meal waiting to leave? Been trying to figure out a diet that works consistantly , ...............one day it works great...the next not so good....colostomy for 2 months now

Eating strewberriesEating.  Has anyone had experience with strawberries?  I know they are full of small seeds but they are at their peak and they look so lucious it is had to pass them.  Any reply would be appreciated.  Tks. Grandy

I know dealing with an ileostomy is largely trial and error, but after my 3rd blockage in 11 months, I finally realized that until I stop having output for 12-18 hours (with or without pain), I don't know a blockage is coming on--and I haven't a clue about how to link the problem to any particular food I might have eaten. For one, thing, I don't know how long it takes for food to "process" into the pouch. Nor do I know what to look for in the output, if there are any clues there. Is pain usually a sign of problems *before* a blockage? I'm ...

Hello there, everyone. Once again I'm compelled to ask a question about how some of you handle a particular situation, i.e swimming. My mother had irreversible illeostomy surgery almost 2 years ago.  Before she had the surgery, she enjoyed going to the local YMCA to swim.   During the first year, she had some accidents, in the form of the bag leaking, or falling off.  She now thinks she can no longer swim, and she actually started to cry about this, recently. Do any of you swim?  I'm sure that ma...

   Greetings everyone. Just had an ileostomy four weeks ago and was told cannot eat leafy veg etc. I've been avoiding any food that they have told me to avoid but was wondering if and when I can reintroduce any leafy vegtables. Thankyou. 

Hello everyone. I have recently been told that my bowel resection/reversal is likely to be in September this year which is earlier than I thought. Great news but less time to lose weight before surgery. surgeon says it will make things easier - want to lose weight gained recently in any event. In the past prior to ileostomy and gastro problems had a lot of success with Slimming World which essentially for those who don't know focuses on excluding fat, sugar and refined carbs eg white bread. Not necessarily low carb as can have rice, nood...

Is there such a thing as an ostomy diet? I am barely getting any output from my colostomy in at least a month, and I have absolutely no appetite. Last year I was in hospital with what they thought was a partial small bowel obstruction. My "diet" has been  small amount of baby oatmeal and some coffee at breakfast: maybe cup of soup for lunch. Small amount of yogurt, jars of baby fruit. I tried to eat small amounts of well-cooked green beans with the carrots today. I've tried to drink white grape juice. What are the "...

I have had a permanent ileostomy for 30 years now.  I have always had trouble with salad and fruits!  I love them, but lettuce and any fruits like oranges, or pineapple etc. lead to out put problems!  What can I do?

I gained a significant amount of weight since getting my ostomy placed. What are some safe foods that aren't going to cause weight gain but also won't cause a blockage? I have crohn's so fiber is a bit of an enemy and I need to be extra careful with any fruits, veggies or whole grains but I want some snacks during the day that won't add on pudge!

Ostomates... We are what we feed our bodies, shame fear and negativity.  If we continue to relive our past misfortunes, we cant go forward.  Its like weeds in a flower garden, we waste our time and energy watering weeds.  The same goes for people that we allow in our space.  If all we hear is pessimistic comments it becomes contagious.  Lets face it, we can feel bad all by ourselves. It like seasons, there is a season for all things.  Some people are placed in our lives, for that particular pe...

Hello  ty for clicking on my topic i am looking for a diet/recipe or any handy tips that people who have used or discovered when being underweight and have a ileostomy/stoma iam 6ft something since the last time i remember and 9st (126lbs)  can't wait to hear from you .  

Hey all you O-mate vets...wondering if folks like us can handle spicy foods, not to the point of sweating through your shorts and all that comes from that type of food but a decent tingle in the gullet. Does it bother the stomy? I've had mild stuff and all went well, so the next step is a little more heat. Anybody do nuts, I'm told in moderation. I don't want to take the chance yet? It'll be one tear 3-30-10 and I've eaten just about everything in front of me. The seafood diet, I see it, I eat it. ROCK ON FELOW OSTOMATES!!

Does anyone have a good website for printed Ileostomy diet? I have a non-compliant mother who won't eat correct foods and continues to get blockage/ileus. Would love to hand her something official.

I have been experiencing challenges in trying to lose weight. Everything that's good for a diet revolves around fiber.  It's challenging and frustrating.  For some reason eating canned vegetables or fruit is not exciting to me. The better I eat, the more I have to empty my bag. Again frustrating. Have others experienced the same problem?

Hi everyone, Just became a member. It has been four years since my ileostomy. I just have to learn to deal with it. Vanity is a terrible vice! I know sometimes I am paranoid about the bag. I am reading the tips and stories about diet.  It seems that what ever I eat affects the output. Am I correct in saying that an ileostomy is  different than a colostomy and there is more emptying of the bag? There seems to be no rhyme or reason with the diet. Are there any good suggestions with what to eat so the stool is not always ...

Hi all...first I want to mention what a great site this is!!  I'm just new and poking around, but everybody is so supportive and lovely...I wish I found you all earlier I have a brand new colostomy and some questions with respect to diet.  I had an ileostomy previously, but this is very different!  I'm about 8 weeks in now, and the output is liquid almost all of the time (my colostomy is behaving like an ileostomy, actually!!!).  I've added fiber, restricted fluids, taken immodium...any other sugg...

Hi Iam new here, had my ileostomy a yr ago, I'd like to know what we can really eat, does anyone have a good diet to follow. I love salads but afraid to try them, was wondering if anyone has, and how it worked out. thanks

I am new to the land of ostomy and I feel the Ostomy nurses don't share as much as I can read on here. So I have a few questions... Do I need to support the bag? i.e. Do I need to wear a belt or is it okay to let the bag hang freely? My stoma is situated such that I can wear my regular under garments, however I notice that there are garments which hold the bag. Is this necessary? Does the stoma have to be protected? I was only told that excessive rubbing would not be good. I was given a pamphlet on foods which produce gas, foods to avoi...

I've been considering getting a Nutri-Bullet or similar blender so that I can have a safe way to eat vegetables. I had my ileostomy surgery in November 2015, and I've been hospitalized 3 times since then with blockages. Two doctors told me the blockages were from scar tissue, not food. But one of the doctors on my latest hospital stay asked me what I'd been eating! I felt very offended by what seemed to me to be his almost accusatory tone, but then I realized that just about all the vegetables I eat could be suspect when it comes to blocka...

Hey, two part question about both bulking and cutting. I've recently been thinking about entering a bodybuilding contest, I don't expect to win or anything its just something I wanted to do before and am now well enough to do, so I'm trying to shed some fat whilst maintaining my muscle, I've followed the standard advice of slowly decreasing my intake of carbs whilst maintaining the amount of fats and protein I consume however I've noticed that my energy levels have plummeted whilst doing this, realistically I need to shed more weight to l...

Hi everyone' My question may seem strange to some of you all but here goes..... I had my take down surgery May 6 2010  and ever since I have this crazy craving for radishes!!! Im talking a lb a day.....haha Anyone else have crazy cravings??? LOve to hear it

(i'm posting on behalf of krimat) My father in law had a urostomy on 30th of jan and was discharged on 15th of feb. the delay in discharge was due to sluggish bowel movement. he is on a semi solid diet. What can be included in his diet(vegetarian only)? thanks in advance.

Hi all, I have an Ileostomy through Crohn's; which was originally a Colostomy, until it went wrong again - I've been an ostomate for five years anyway, and I still cannot digest vegetables except mashed potato (I can't even digest hash browns), and all fruit just goes through me, as well as all dairy except small amounts of block cheddar cheese. I am in remission, but this still goes on day after day, does anyone else have this problem? and if so what do you do please. I cannot take vitamin or Calcium pills, or have Iron supplements, as t...

Has anyone with an ileostomy tried the diet pill Alli? Or does it work in large colon which I do not have so would be useless or harmful? Just wondered if anyone has ever tried it? I quit smoking 11/2 years and 17# ago and would like to loose the 17#!! It is sooo hard older I get!! Thanks Sooziq

Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest: Each morning your bank would deposit $ 86,400.00 in your private account for your use. However, this prize had rules just as any game has certain rules. The first set of rules would be: 1.    Everything that you didn’t spend during each day would be taken away from you. 2.    You may not simply transfer money into some other account. 3.    You may only spend it. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your acco...

since I got my ileo 4 years ago I always had a problem with high liquid output from my stoma which resulted in dropping 10-15 pounds at a time and having to go back to the hospital and spending a day or two getting an IV to put the water back in.and this has happened at least a dozen times around the world,I always used the excuse it was the food I was eating in those places.after this last time 2 weeks ago and I spent 4 days this time my doc was asking me more questions about what I was eating.They served me breakfast one day and I notice...

Hi. I have had my ostomy for 2 weeks now. Double Barrell diverting due to rectal tear from hyst. surgery. I have also now developed a bladder/vag. fistula causing constant urine leak despite a foley cath. My issue is that its hard to keep up the fluids and my output goes from thick to watery within the same day. Is it basically a guessing game when deciding on what to eat or not. I have lost alot of weight and am facing 2 more surgeries within the next month or so.....so easy to get down and depressed.

hi all, Those of you who eat a low fiber high protein diet, could you give me a sample of what you eat on a typical day? I have been irrigating, and have been told to try limiting my fiber to get more time between irrigating.  Thanks in advance!!

Since my first surgery (at which time I "needed" to gain some weight) I have gone overboard. I really need to get back on track, even before I can feel like getting some decent exercise. I have chosen the Keto diet for a number of health reasons. I've only been on it for 12 days and have lost 11 pounds --> still a ways to go! My only issue is, with my ileostomy the output has been VERY liquid so I'm beginning to get a bit sore. Previously I used cereal, oatmeal, pretzels or applesauce to get some proper consistency; of course these item...

Hello -- I'm 73 have had my eliostomy bag since April 18. I was concerned at first as to what I can and cannot eat. Presently I eat anything I like. If the food is spicey (which I love) I'll pay for it later as it will bother my stoma. Other than that I find if I chew my food really good I don't have any problems at all. I love salads, pasta, pizza and occasionally mexican except I stay from the hot sauce!

Hi Everyone, I am one of the silent followers on the site and it is so great to read everyone's blogs even if we don't ever answer.  One thing that has been concerning me for a while is that lots of folks talk about eating or not eating certain foods.  After my surgery the colorectal nurse just said not to eat too many salted peanuts in one go!  But no other diet advise was given.  I don't think I have had too many issues (aside from unladylike amounts of wind in the first few months but my buddy see...

Hi prior to surgery in Jan 2018 i was a size 10 then due to ill health and an over abundance of steroid medication i put on 5kgs in weight. I just cant seem to shed this weight conventional dieting is no good for me as i am limited to what i can eat and when i do eat can only tolerate child size portions my 5 year grandchildren eat more than me.  Does anyone have any suggestions i cannot cope with my body image never mind the ileostomy which has put so many inches onto my hips. Comptemplating joing a gym and the services of a persona...

What are some good foods to eat that will fill you up, but not make you gassy? That is so embarassing, especially in quiet places?

Good Grief still trying to figure out the foods to eat. Eat something bad and have flare ups not cool. Still getting used to it. Can't eat pizza bo

I have an ileo and it seems like it is constantly a juggling on what to eat, potato, pasta etc makes my output To thick, which brings on pancaking which brings a nice blow out, so to combat that, I am drinking prune juice, grapejuice,,  and now I have a liquidy output, does anyone else juggle very day ?

Before my ileostomy I had all my teeth pulled and cannot wear my dentures.  I love salad so to make it easy to eat I put all ingredients in a food processor and made a fine slaw-like consistency.  I wonder if this would work for my ileostomy ....any thought?

Hey all! It's been a while since I've been active here. I had my ileostomy for over 10 years now and have gone through quite an ordeal at the beginning. Earlier this year I decided to lose weight and changed my diet. I eliminated yogurt, chips, crackers, cookies and switched to wheat bread. The issue I am having is that now I have episodes of gas for a while, especially at work. This makes me nervous to go into meetings, as you can imagine. I spend most of my time either in my office, on the production floor or in the maintenance shop. I ...