Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones, enjoying delicious food, and sharing gratitude. For those with an ostomy, it can also mean being mindful of what you eat to avoid any discomfort. Here are some insights and tips shared by a group discussing their Thanksgiving plans and favorite foods:

- One person plans to spend Thanksgiving with family and is particularly fond of a family-recipe stuffing. However, they avoid corn due to past blockages, despite enjoying it. They humorously shared an incident where a corn kernel unexpectedly shot out of their stoma during a pouch change.

- There was a light-hearted suggestion about creating "stoma safety glasses" to prevent such incidents, with jokes about potential product names.

- A question was raised about what "junkyard salad" is, and it was noted that one member avoids alcohol due to medication interactions.

- After a hearty Thanksgiving meal, one person joked about overeating and the potential need for safety goggles if the corn caused any surprises.

- There were requests for more recipe ideas and recommendations for a good white wine that could be enjoyed safely, without interfering with medications.

Here are some helpful tips and shared experiences:

- Many members expressed holiday wishes, emphasizing gratitude and safety.

- For ostomates, it's important to chew food thoroughly, especially items like corn, to minimize blockage risks. Some avoid corn entirely, while others keep "safety goggles" handy as a joke.

- Even if you can eat most foods, it's wise to have smaller portions to avoid overfilling the pouch.

- There was a lot of humor around the idea of wearing safety glasses while changing the appliance, inspired by the corn incident.

- Favorite dishes and recipe ideas included homemade turkey dressing, various pies like pumpkin and pecan, and sides such as mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potato dishes.

- The "Junkyard Salad" dessert recipe was shared, which includes cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, sweetened condensed milk, marshmallows, pecans, and Cool Whip.

- Some alternate Thanksgiving activities mentioned were volunteering at charity dinners or gathering with friends when family is far away.

- Members expressed pride in cooking their own meals and sharing traditional favorites.

- For those who enjoy wine, one member offered guidance on pairing wines with dinner, emphasizing moderation and timing with medications.

- Some members traveled to visit relatives, enjoying regional holiday dishes like seafood gumbo and crawfish étouffée.