This topic is about managing two common concerns for people with an ileostomy: enjoying popcorn safely and controlling overnight gas. Here are some helpful insights and advice shared by others who have faced similar challenges:

1. Popcorn Enjoyment:
- Many people with an ileostomy enjoy popcorn without issues. They often choose microwave bags, air-popped, or buttered popcorn, and some prefer brands with fewer kernels.
- To reduce the risk of blockages, some avoid or spit out the hard brown hulls, chew thoroughly, and drink plenty of water.
- Experiences vary widely; while some have no problems, others have experienced blockages and now avoid popcorn entirely.
- Surgeons have different opinions; some recommend avoiding popcorn, while others suggest it can help thicken output.
- "Hulless popcorn" is an option and can be found online or by contacting suppliers directly.

2. Managing Overnight Gas:
- Try to stop eating several hours before bedtime, typically between 6–8 pm.
- Identify and limit foods that produce gas, such as raw vegetables, certain "gassy" veggies, curries, sugary foods, milk products late in the day, carbonated drinks, and beer.
- Over-the-counter simethicone products like Gas-X can help, as well as charcoal-based pouch tablets or chewable gas tablets.
- Eating a small dry snack, like plain crackers or dry cereal, 1–1.5 hours before bed may reduce gas.
- Consuming yogurt with live cultures before bed has helped some people reduce gas.
- Ginger biscuits or ginger herbal tea in the evening have been beneficial for some; raw ginger can also help.
- Marshmallows, jelly babies, or underripe bananas can thicken output, while licorice and prunes may loosen it.
- Using a high-volume pouch at night can prevent blow-offs, and emptying it once during the night might be necessary.
- Avoid carbonation if you're very prone to gas, though some people tolerate it well.
- For those who can, irrigation or stoma plugs have reduced gas for some individuals.

3. General Tips:
- Always chew food thoroughly and introduce potentially risky foods in small amounts with plenty of fluids.
- Everyone's stoma behaves differently, so trial and error is essential. Consulting with a surgeon or ostomy nurse is also recommended.
- Some products mentioned include Gas-X (simethicone), charcoal pouch tablets (available from Byram Healthcare), and hulless popcorn from various online retailers.