This topic is about whether people with ostomies choose to skip meals during the workday to avoid leaks or other accidents. Here are some helpful insights and advice on this matter:

- Prioritize your overall health. Skipping meals entirely can lead to dizziness, fainting, and long-term health issues, especially if your job involves physical activity or operating machinery.

- If you have a colostomy, consider colostomy irrigation. This method can help empty the bowel in a controlled way, potentially preventing output for 24–48 hours and reducing the risk of daytime accidents.

- For those with ileostomies and many colostomies, not eating can cause the pouch to fill with air or froth, which might be more challenging to manage than regular output.

- Eating small, regular meals is generally recommended. For example, you might have plain toast and tea a couple of hours before work, a small meat sandwich or soup with water at lunch, and a low-fat yogurt or chips as a snack. Drinking plenty of fluids, like water or decaf tea, can help keep output manageable.

- Time your meals strategically. Eating 1–2 hours before leaving home allows you to empty your pouch before work or flights.

- Choose foods that produce less gas or noise. Opt for low-fat, low-sugar items and avoid gas-forming fruits. Raspberries are often mentioned as a quieter option.

- Always carry a full emergency kit of supplies. Some people keep a spare set at work, while others pack a backpack for long trips and flights.

- On long flights, try to sit near the aisle and close to the restroom. Eat light snacks instead of large meals, as changing an appliance in a cramped airplane lavatory can be difficult.

- Understanding your own stoma pattern, regular emptying, and having access to workplace bathrooms can greatly reduce the risk of accidents, making meal skipping unnecessary for most people.

- Everyone's output patterns are different, and regulating them may require some trial and error. It's a good idea to consult your stoma nurse or doctor for personalized advice.

- Some individuals still choose to limit their daytime food intake, such as having only biscuits at lunch, to keep the pouch quiet during important social or professional events. However, they acknowledge the trade-offs and recommend seeking medical advice.