This topic is about a person who noticed their ileostomy output turning green and discovered it was due to the blue dye in a Powerade drink they were consuming. After switching to a different drink, the color returned to normal. Here are some helpful insights and advice related to this situation:
1. If you notice a change in the color of your stoma output, it might be due to food dyes. Many people experience this, so you’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong.
2. Foods and drinks that can change the color of stoma output include:
- Beets, cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and other berries
- Red velvet cake
- Red wine
- Raspberry or other brightly colored sodas
- Any drink with blue or red dye, like Blue Powerade
3. Red dyes can sometimes look like blood in your output, which can be alarming. Knowing which foods and drinks contain these dyes can help you avoid unnecessary worry.
4. Keeping a mental or written log of what you eat and drink can help you quickly identify the cause of unexpected color changes in your output.
5. If you find that drinks with artificial coloring irritate your stoma or pouch, you might want to reduce or eliminate them from your diet. Some people choose to avoid drinks like Powerade for this reason.
6. Roasted beets are healthy and can change the color of your output. Once you know this, you can enjoy them without concern.
7. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when managing your diet, fluid intake, and stoma care. Reaching out to a community for support can be very helpful.
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