This topic is about finding joy, being cautious, and gaining perspective on what we eat, especially for those living with an ostomy. Eating is a universal necessity, but the experience can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances.

- New ostomy patients often feel anxious about which foods are safe to eat and which ones they should avoid.
- In wealthier areas, the main concern is usually the cost of food rather than its availability, while in other parts of the world, many people struggle just to get enough to eat.
- People have different tastes, from a dog enjoying a bone to someone savoring a perfectly cooked steak. Even the animals we eat had to eat first.
- Reflecting on a quote by the French gastronome Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, the idea is that eating can be more than just feeding; it can be an enjoyable dining experience.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

- Appreciate the ability to chew and enjoy food. Those who rely on TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) or other feeding methods often find that even simple broth tastes amazing after months without eating by mouth.
- If you've experienced tube feeding or nutrition through a PICC line, let that memory motivate you to manage your diet carefully and with gratitude once you can eat orally again.
- When facing potential ostomy-related blockages or issues, consider switching to safer, easily digestible foods temporarily to avoid returning to invasive feeding methods.
- Managing your weight is important for enjoying good food. Being creative with meal preparation can make eating enjoyable while still supporting a healthy body weight.