Color Logo for MeetAnOstoMate
Sponsored by Hollister
Login   |  
Forgot password?
 
Forum
Videos
Reviews
About Us
Color Logo for MeetAnOstoMate
Where Everybody Understands You
41,413 members
May 04, 2023

Managing a Liquid-Only Diet with an Ileostomy - Need Advice

This topic is about someone who has been living with an ileostomy since 2012 and is now facing challenges due to repeated blockages caused by adhesions and stoma hernias. Their doctors have recommended a permanent liquid-only diet to prevent severe pain and emergency hospital visits. While sweet liquids are manageable, they are struggling with strong cravings for savory foods. As a long-time vegetarian, they have reluctantly started eating meat again to address cravings and iron-deficiency anemia, which is causing them distress. They are looking for practical advice on maintaining nutrition, managing cravings, and possibly staying vegetarian while on a liquid diet.

Here are some helpful suggestions:

1. Seek better medical support
- Consider getting a second opinion from another specialist within the NHS or through a private consultation. Keep a detailed symptom diary and be persistent if you feel your concerns are not being fully addressed. Many people emphasize the importance of finding experienced clinicians to deal with unresolved blockage issues.

2. Use commercial liquid nutrition products
- Try ready-to-drink or powdered shakes like Carnation Instant Breakfast, Ensure, Boost, OWYN (Only What You Need), Kate Farms sole-source formulas, and SPIRU-TEIN. Mixing instant breakfast powders into ice cream can also help increase calorie intake and improve taste.

3. Blend regular foods to a baby-food consistency
- Puree vegetables, fruits, and even cooked meats in a blender to achieve a baby-food texture, which often passes through without causing blockages. The texture might seem unusual at first, but many people adjust quickly.

4. Explore prepared texture-modified meals
- In the UK, services like HILS (Hertfordshire Independent Living Service) offer Level 5 & 6 meals that are semi-liquefied but still look familiar. Vegetarian options are available nationwide through similar "Health & Independent Living" services.

5. Address anemia without meat
- Consider taking iron supplements, specifically ferrous gluconate, to help correct low iron levels and reduce the need to rely on meat.

6. General tips
- Keep experimenting with savory flavors in pureed form, such as blending soups, sauces, and spices. Ensure you maintain adequate calorie and protein intake by having frequent small liquid meals and fortified shakes.
See full discusison
Gray Logo for MeetAnOstoMate
MeetAnOstoMate.org

MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,413 members.

“I mostly read and still feel like I belong.”

“Doctors took notes; they want others to find this website.”

“From midnight blowouts to big wins, there’s always a hand to hold.”

Join Free

Popular Topics

Motorhome Off-Grid: Tips for Emptying Waste Pouches
Hiking Tour in Japan with an Ileostomy: My Experience
Binder Clips for Fixing Leaky Velcro Pouches
Deciding to Keep My Colostomy: My Personal Journey
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
BACK IN THE SAME BOX
New to Colostomy: Can I Eat Popcorn or Mango?
Need Advice on Managing Odor from Dad's Colostomy Bag
Keeping distance
Important information regarding proposed changes to how Medicare/Medicaid will treat ostomy supplies.

New Topics

mine own p o .ems ~ two add two = for you
Discreet Bag Covers for Hot and Humid Climates
Anyone Else with a K Pouch?
WATCH WATCHING
I'm Home from Surgery and Feeling Great, but My Mom's Reactions Are Tough
Friendship
B. Withers-Be Kind 160-1
A DOGGED EDUCATION
CPAP and Ileostomy Problems
Is Gum Chewing Bad for Ostomates?
About us | Privacy policy | Terms of use | Ostomy Blogs | Ostomy Q&A | Guides | Contact Us
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google Privacy Policy and Google Terms of Service apply.
Copyright (c) MeetAnOstoMate.org All Rights Reserved
Create Account
Login
↑