This topic is about finding foods that can help thicken or slow down the output from an ileostomy, especially as an alternative to using medications like Imodium. The discussion is centered around using food-based methods to manage a very active stoma, affectionately named "Marvin." Here are some helpful suggestions and insights shared by others:

1. High-soluble-fiber vegetables:
- Use plain canned pumpkin or fresh pumpkin, but avoid products that are mostly sugar or artificial pumpkin.
- Try other squashes like butternut or acorn.
- Consider orange sweet potatoes and yams.

2. Starchy foods that can help bind output:
- Mashed or baked potatoes, and even potato chips.
- White rice or rice pudding.
- Pasta and noodles.
- Bread and toast.
- Oatmeal.
- Bananas.

3. Sweet, low-residue options:
- Marshmallows, which can slow output despite their sugar content.
- Peanut butter.
- Applesauce.
- Canned pumpkin mixed with vanilla Greek yogurt and cinnamon for flavor without too much sugar.

4. Miscellaneous foods that help some individuals:
- Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, and pumpkin.
- Mango, which is helpful for some people.

5. Tips and cautions:
- Eat the "binding" food first to help slow down the foods eaten afterward.
- Be cautious with sugar as it can irritate the bowels and speed up output; opt for low-sugar options.
- Coffee is known to speed up output for many.
- Effects can vary greatly, so track your own responses and adjust quantities to avoid overly thick output.
- Consider the FODMAP diet if you have persistent watery output and gas, as it limits hard-to-digest sugars.
- Balance meals with well-cooked veggies and carbs, and avoid large portions of tough raw fiber to reduce blockage risk.

6. Products, brands, and resources:
- Imodium (loperamide) is a drug many are trying to replace or reduce.
- Convatec pouches with filters are used for gas management, though results can vary.
- Panera pumpkin muffins are mentioned; their effectiveness depends on the real pumpkin content and sugar level.
- Keep a printed food-response chart on the refrigerator to monitor what thickens versus thins output.