The topic at hand is about whether consuming sugar can make the contents of the intestines move faster, leading to more frequent and mostly liquid output for someone with an ileostomy. The person asking the question has an ileostomy with about 2 meters of intestine left and currently needs to empty their pouch 10 to 12 times a day. They are looking for advice on which foods might help slow down or thicken their output.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. Foods and drinks high in sugar or fructose, such as lemonade, sports drinks like Gatorade, cookies, candy, and added table sugar, are often reported to make the output more watery and increase its volume.

2. Fatty foods, including those with mayonnaise, can also speed up the transit time and increase the output.

3. To help thicken or slow down the output, consider the following:
- Taking half a tablet of Imodium (loperamide) daily, as recommended by a stoma nurse, can noticeably thicken the output and extend the wear time of the pouch.
- Foods that are known to thicken output include bananas, marshmallows, peanut butter, and starches like bread, rice, and potatoes.
- While popcorn is sometimes suggested for thickening, it carries a risk of causing an obstruction for people with an ileostomy. Many clinicians advise avoiding it, especially soon after surgery.