You may find yourself worrying about what you can and can’t eat, or how meals might affect your stoma output.
Reassuringly, these concerns will not last forever and most people with a stoma can return to a well-balanced, enjoyable diet with time. This guide walks you through the basics, offering practical tips to help you feel confident and in control.
Give your body time to settle
In the first few weeks after surgery, your bowel will still be healing and may be more sensitive, possibly with unwanted symptoms of pain, discomfort, and dysregulated bowel movements to list a few. A low-fibre diet is often recommended at this stage, as it makes digestion easier and reduces the risk of blockages.
Recommendations:
- Stick with soft, well-cooked vegetables and peeled fruits.
- Choose white bread, rice, and pasta over wholegrain for now.
- Avoid nuts, seeds, sweetcorn, and tough vegetable skins.
- Have smaller meals, rather than big portions, little and often.
As you recover, and symptoms start to reduce, you will likely be able to reintroduce a much wider variety of foods as time goes on – slow introduction of avoided foods is key.
Keep well hydrated
If you have an ileostomy, fluid leaves your body more quickly. This puts you at risk of dehydration, which can make you feel weak, dizzy, or tired.
Recommendations:
- Aim for 8-10 cups of fluid daily.
- Sip water steadily throughout the day, avoiding gulping large volumes.
- Rehydration drinks can help if your output is high.
- Fizzy or very sugary drinks may cause increased gas and bloating.
Your healthcare team may also suggest adding a little extra salt to your meals to replace what’s lost.
“Many people worry about eating out, but you don’t need to avoid restaurants or social occasions.”
Understanding how and what foods affect your output
Different foods can change the texture of your output. Knowing this can help you manage day-to-day.
- To thicken output: try bananas, mashed potatoes (without skins), white rice, pasta, crackers, jelly babies or marshmallows.
- Can cause wind/abdominal distension: beans, onions, broccoli, cabbage, fizzy drinks, and chewing gum.
- To reduce odour: parsley, yogurt, and cranberry juice may help.
It’s all about balance, no food is completely “off-limits”, but some may be best enjoyed in smaller portions.
Preventing blockages
Blockages can be uncomfortable and sometimes serious. They often happen when high-fibre or stringy foods get stuck around the stoma.
To reduce your risk:
- Cut food into smaller pieces.
- Chew thoroughly.
- Introduce higher-fibre foods slowly and in small amounts.
- Be cautious with foods like celery, mushrooms, sweetcorn, dried fruit, coconut, and nuts.
If you notice cramping, bloating, or a sudden stop in output, or reduced/no bowel sounds, seek advice from your stoma nurse.
Eating out with confidence
Many people worry about eating out, but you don’t need to avoid restaurants or social occasions.
With a bit of planning, you can enjoy meals just like before. Try:
- Planning and looking at menus ahead of time.
- Carrying a small kit with a spare pouch and any deodorising drops.
- Avoiding trying a brand-new food on a big occasion.
- Avoiding rich, well tolerated foods if concerned or feel anxious.
- Choosing clothing that feels supportive and comfortable.
With time, you will build trust in what foods are well tolerated, knowing when and where to trial new foods, so that you feel less anxious and are close to facilities if you experience any accidents.
Building confidence and a long-term plan
Once your bowel has healed, most people with a stoma can go back to a well-balanced diet.
The aim is to keep it balanced and nourishing:
- Fruits and vegetables: add them back gradually, peeled or cooked if needed.
- Protein: meat, fish, eggs, beans (if tolerated).
- Carbohydrates: bread, rice, oats, and pasta, slowly change to wholegrains if preferred.
- Healthy fats: olive oil, avocado, small amounts of nuts (if having nuts chew thoroughly into smaller pieces).
- Calcium sources: dairy or fortified plant alternatives.
- Variety: follow a well-balanced varied diet to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
You will discover your own list of “safe” foods over time, and most people find they only need to avoid a handful of things. Don’t be alarmed if it takes time to introduce the avoided foods – slow and steady building up to tolerance is key.
When to ask for extra support
Everyone is different, and sometimes you may need more tailored advice. Reach out to your stoma nurse or dietitian if you experience:
- Consistently high or watery output.
- Repeated blockages.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Ongoing difficulty managing food or hydration.
Don’t feel disheartened
A stoma does not mean giving up your favourite meals or losing confidence around food. With patience and small adjustments, you can enjoy a well-balanced, varied diet again. Be mindful your stoma may take time to settle, but eating well is possible. Remember to also be kind to yourself, listen to your body, and avoid putting any additional pressure on yourself to return to how you ate and lived prior to surgery and stoma formation. You will get there!
