This topic is about dealing with unpredictable stoma output and the challenges of finding dietary patterns that work. The person who started the discussion is having a hard time figuring out how their diet affects their stoma output, despite keeping a detailed food diary and eating small amounts. They are curious if others have similar experiences.

Here are some helpful insights and advice shared by others:

1. Many people experience the same unpredictability. The same food can cause different reactions on different days, and our bodies can respond in unexpected ways.

2. High-sugar foods or drinks, including sweetened products and possibly Diet Coke, often lead to rapid, high-volume, watery output. Reducing sugar intake has helped some people regain control.

3. Eating smaller, more frequent meals, like four times a day, can reduce the volume of each output, even if it increases the overall frequency. This approach may also improve consistency.

4. To identify personal trigger foods, try isolating items. For example, eat just steak and then add other foods like peas, chips, or carbonated beverages one at a time on different occasions. Keep a log to identify any culprits before social outings.

5. Carbonated drinks and fried or high-fat foods, such as chips, are common triggers for sudden liquid output in both ileostomy and colostomy users.

6. A technique recommended by dietitians is to eat 6–8 small marshmallows before starting any meal. Some people have found that this slows transit time, reduces bag filling, and helps with nutrient absorption, which can aid in regaining lost weight. Carrying a small bag of miniature marshmallows can make it easy to follow this strategy when away from home.