FCRC Beyond Blue Fall 2021 - Flipbook - Page 17
Ask the EXPERT
Ask the EXPERT
Foods and Their Effects
Q:
What should I eat
if I have an ostomy?
What about an
ileostomy?
Is there anything
I should avoid?
Life and health
are built on
eating a variety of
nutritious foods.
Whether you are a foodie who loves to explore
new restaurants or dabble in your garden, the
good news is that for most, you can eat what
you love while living with an ostomy.
For anyone who has had ostomy surgery, it
is natural to face concerns regarding food
choices and to question whether an ostomy
will change how you eat and digest food.
Post-Surgery
Food choices begin just after surgery. For all
ostomy types, your post-surgical diet will be
low in fiber and residue, which helps to rest
the gastrointestinal tract. These foods are
easier to digest and produce less gas. The
goals are to maintain weight, promote healing,
prevent stoma blockage, and maintain healthy
fluid levels to prevent dehydration.
Food Reference Chart
Listed below are general guidelines for individuals who have a colostomy or ileostomy, and the guidelines apply
to many CRC patients who've undergone colorectal surgery. It is important to know the effects that various
foods will have on stool output. The effects may differ for each person depending on surgery type and length/
function of the remaining bowel. To determine individual tolerance to foods, try new foods in small quantities.
Remember to always chew thoroughly.
GAS PRODUCING:
Stage III survivor Melvin Fernandez is a doubleostomate.
It’s Personal
Slowly Introduce Foods
Four to six weeks after surgery, you may
simply return to your normal eating habits.
However, each person is different. The best
diet for you will depend on your body and
medical history. Your medical doctor and
a registered dietitian (RD) can assist your
ongoing recovery process and help you thrive
long after surgery.
To make your nutrition transition smooth,
slowly introduce foods into your diet one
at a time. Keep a food journal, which can
help when you are speaking with your
doctor/RD about which foods seem to
work well and which ones do not. For those
with an ileostomy, carefully record your
reactions as you introduce high-fiber foods
and fresh/raw fruits and vegetables. Expand
your diet and food choices under the direction
of your doctor.
Ileostomy
For those with an ileostomy, there may be
a risk for dehydration after surgery due to a
decreased ability to absorb nutrients, fluids,
and electrolytes. It is important to stay wellhydrated and drink the amount and type of
fluids recommended for your health and body
weight. There is also an added risk of stoma
blockage due to a smaller stoma opening and
swelling of the stoma after surgery. These
risks can be lowered by avoiding high-fiber/
high-residue foods such as vegetables and
fruits with skins and seeds, raw fruits and
vegetables, and whole grains. This risk can
also be averted by chewing your food well.
Ostomy surgery is a lifesaving procedure. It
restores health and enables you to resume the
activities you once enjoyed—including eating!
It is all about educating yourself about your
surgery, having good communication with
your medical professionals regarding food
choices, and regaining confidence in eating.
Pretty soon you will see yourself at your
favorite restaurant again.
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EATING WITH AN OSTOMY
A Comprehensive Nutrition Guide for Those
Living with an Ostomy
Alcohol (Beer)
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carbonated Beverages
Cauliflower
Chewing Gum
Cucumbers
Dairy (e.g., Eggs, Milk)
Legumes (e.g., Baked Beans,
Lentils, Peas)
Melons
Nuts
Onions
Pickles
Radishes
Soy Products
Spicy Foods
COLOR CHANGES:
Asparagus
Beets
Food Coloring (Red Dyes from
Kool-Aid and Punch)
Iron Pills
Licorice
Red Jell-O
Tomato Sauce
*ODOR PRODUCING:
Asparagus
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Eggs
Fatty Foods
Garlic
Legumes (e.g., Baked Beans,
Lentils, Peas)
Onions
Smoked Foods
Strong Cheeses
Some Medications
Some Vitamins
*ODOR CONTROL:
Consume Probiotics (e.g., Yogurt:
Aids in Digestion)
Eat Smaller/More Frequent Meals:
Aids in Digestion
Fruits and Vegetables: Helps Keep
the Colon Clean
Stay Well-Hydrated and
Avoid Constipation
Odor Eliminators (Drops, Gels,
Sprays, Tablets, Sachets that Can
Be Placed into an Ostomy Pouch)
MAY CAUSE LOOSE
STOOLS; DIARRHEA:
Alcoholic Beverages
Apple and Prune Juices
Baked Beans
Chocolate
Fresh/Raw Fruit
Fresh/Raw Vegetables
Fried or Spicy Foods
High Sugared Beverages
Leafy Green Vegetables
Milk/Cheese (Lactose Intolerance)
**STOMA BLOCKAGE:
Cabbage (Fresh/Raw)
Celery
Chinese Vegetables
Coconut
Coleslaw
Corn (Whole Kernel)
Dried Fruits
Fresh/Raw Pineapple
Mushrooms
Nuts, Seeds
Pith from Citrus (e.g., Oranges)
Popcorn
Skin of Fresh Fruits (e.g., Apple
Peels, Grapes)
***CONSTIPATION
PREVENTION/RELIEF:
for Diarrhea and High Output
Bran Products
Fruit Juices
Fruit (Fresh/Raw or Cooked)
Oatmeal
Prunes
Raisins
Vegetables (Fresh/Raw or
Cooked)
Water (Stay Hydrated)
Warm Beverages
Warm Soups
Whole Grains
Applesauce
Bananas
Boiled White Rice or Noodles
Creamy Peanut Butter
Hot Cereals (Oatmeal, Cream of
Wheat, Rice)
Marshmallows
Peeled Potatoes
Tapioca Pudding
Unseasoned Crackers
White Bread, Toast
Yogurt
THICKENS STOOL
First Edition by
Joanna Burgess-Stocks BSN, RN, CWOCN
A publication of UOAA, United Ostomy Associations of America
JOANNA BURGESS-STOCKS
BSN, RN, CWOCN
United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. Advocacy Committee Co-Chair
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For more information, download a free
copy of United Ostomy Associations of
America, Inc.’s “Eating With An Ostomy,” a
comprehensive nutrition guide for those living with
an ostomy at ostomy.org/diet-nutrition.
DISCLAIMER: This chart contains information developed by United
Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. This information does not replace
medical advice from your healthcare provider. You are a unique
individual and your experiences may differ from that of other patients.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about this chart,
your condition, or your treatment plan.
*Odor from diet will differ for each person. If you have concerns, discuss with your
doctor. Odor eliminators may be purchased from distributors of ostomy products.
**People with an ileostomy are at greater risk for stoma blockage/obstruction. These
food types should be eaten with caution and not introduced into the diet until four to
six weeks after surgery. Introduce them slowly, one at a time, and chew well.
***Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet will help you avoid becoming
constipated. Discuss options with your doctor.
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