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Ostomy Diet Guidelines

   It is important to have a balanced diet, plenty of fluids, and to be able to recognize the signs of food blockage. People with ostomies can enjoy many different foods with few restrictions. Foods that you/your child could not eat before surgery may be introduced slowly. Talk with your/your child’s doctors or nurses.Some foods will affect the amount of gas produced, the odor and the consistency of the stools (also called poop). This information sheet is a general guide to help you decide which foods may be best for you/your child.

           

             Eating after Surgery :

  • The first few weeks after surgery, you/your child may feel more comfortable eating small frequent meals and snacks.

  • Add new foods to you/your child’s diet one at a time.

  • Be sure that you/your child chews his/her food well.

  • If you/your child has an ileostomy (small bowel), it is important to drink lots of fluids. This will help your/your child’s body to stay hydrated. Talk with your doctor or nurse about specific drinking guidelines.

  • Some foods can affect the odor, gas, and thickness of the ostomy output. See the lists of foods below.  If a food seems to cause odor or gas, do not stop giving this food until you have tried it several times.

            

                Food blockage:

      You/your child may develop a food blockage, especially if you/your child has an ileostomy (small bowel ostomy) because it is narrower than your large bowel. Undigested fibrous foods can build up and block the flow of stool through the bowel. Call your doctor or nurse if you/your child has any abdominal (belly) pain, very little or no stool output from stoma for more than 4 hours, or a large increase in the amount of stool from stomas, or if vomiting develops.

             Foods That Can Cause Blockage

            Celery- Nuts- Raw Chinese vegetables - Peas- Coconut- Pineapple- Coleslaw -Popcorn -Corn Raisins - Dried fruits Skins from fruits and  vegetables - Meats in casings (hot dogs, sausage, kielbasa)

          

         Signs and Symptoms of Food Blockage

  • Crampy, abdominal pain

  • Abdominal (belly) swelling

  • Stoma swelling

  • Large amount of watery stool output usually with a foul odor

  • Very little or no stool output for more than 4 hours

  • Not able to eat or drink

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Irritability

         Foods That Can Cause Odor

     Asparagus - Coffee - Garlic - Prunes - Beans - Cucumber - Green peppers - Radishes - Brussel sprouts - Eggs

     Milk - Turnips - Cabbage - Fish - Onions - Vitamins

         Foods That Can Decrease Odor

    Buttermilk - Parsley - Yogurt - Cranberry juice - Spinach

          Foods That Can Produce Gas

   Apples (raw) - Carbonated drinks - Dairy foods - Onions - Asparagus - Cauliflower - Eggs - Melon - Beans - Chewing gum

   Melon - Peas - Broccoli - Corn - Mushrooms - Spicy foods - Cabbage - Cucumber - Nuts - Spinach

   Note: Chewing bubble gum or drinking with straws causes you to swallow more air and increase gas (“air in pouch”).

          Foods That Can Thicken Stools

   Applesauce - Marshmallows - Yogurt - Bananas - Milk - Breads - Peanut butter (creamy) -  Cheeses - Starch foods (rice, pasta, potatoes, tapioca)

         Foods That Can Thin Stools

    Apple juice - Grape juice - Chocolate - Green beans - Fresh fruits -  Highly seasoned foods - Fried foods - Prune juice

    Foods That Can Color Stools   Beets or Red Jell-O

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