This topic is about understanding why undigested pieces of canned carrots appear in the output of an ileostomy or colostomy pouch, even though the carrots are very soft and easy to chew. The person is concerned about whether they are absorbing the necessary nutrients from these carrots and is cautious about their diet due to a previous intestinal blockage. Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. To further break down the fiber in carrots, try slow-cooking them in the oven or using a crock-pot until they disintegrate before eating.

2. It's common to see bits of carrot in the pouch, and this is usually harmless. Many people with ostomies have passed visible carrot pieces for years without experiencing blockages.

3. If you prefer fresh carrots over canned, cut them into very small pieces, such as dicing or julienning them.

4. Similar precautions should be taken with other fibrous foods:
- Peel and seed tomatoes and red peppers.
- Be cautious with mushrooms, nuts, whole garlic cloves, cardamom pods, and similar foods, as they can trigger blockages, especially for those with an ileostomy.

5. Carrots contain cellulose, a type of fiber that humans cannot digest, so seeing undigested fragments is expected.

6. Regarding nutrient absorption:
- Fat-soluble nutrients like vitamin A, along with most calories, fats, proteins, and minerals, are absorbed before the output reaches the pouch.
- Canning can destroy some water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C, but not the fat-soluble ones.

7. Be mindful of sodium content in canned vegetables, but using no-salt-added products can help manage this.

8. People with an ileostomy face a higher risk of blockages, so paying attention to food texture is important to avoid serious obstructions and potential surgery.