Foods to Avoid with a Stoma
Knowing which foods to avoid with a stoma and finding suitable alternatives can help maintain a healthy and enjoyable diet preventing any discomfort and complications following your surgery.
In this article, we will explore the types of foods to moderate, suggest some tasty alternatives and provide insights on maintaining a balanced diet with a stoma.
Disclaimer: Before making any changes to your diet, especially after stoma surgery, it’s important to consult with your doctor or healthcare professional. They can provide personalised advice based on your medical history and specific needs to ensure you make safe and appropriate dietary adjustments.
How Having and Ostomy will Affect My Diet
A colostomy changes the way your digestive system processes food. Since part of your colon is bypassed or removed, certain foods can cause blockages, gas or irritation at the stoma site.
Initially, after surgery, many people ask the question: are there any foods to avoid with my stoma? Post surgery it is recommended to follow a low fibre diet, this provides your stoma with time to adjust. However, you can gradually reintroduce a larger variety of foods in time.
The Importance of a Healthy Balanced Diet
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is crucial for overall wellbeing, especially with a stoma. A balanced diet helps ensure you receive essential nutrients to support healing, boost energy levels and prevent complications.
It’s important to include a variety of foods from all food groups: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Consulting a dietitian can provide you with personalised advice to meet your nutritional needs safely.
What Foods Should I Avoid with My Stoma?
While it’s advised to be mindful of your diet following ostomy surgery, it’s equally important not to avoid all foods when you have a stoma. Instead, focus on understanding how different types of food affect your stoma output.
Some foods may cause blockages or excessive gas, but completely eliminating diverse food groups can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Strive for a balanced diet, incorporating a variety of foods in moderation. By doing so, you can enjoy a wide range of nutrients essential for healing and overall wellbeing.
Remember, gradual reintroduction and careful monitoring of your body’s reactions will help you identify what works best for you and makes you comfortable.
High Fibre Foods
It is recommended to avoid high fibre foods in diets when you have a stoma. Examples of high fibre foods include raw vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains. These foods can become difficult to digest, increasing the risk of blockages, therefore causing pain and discomfort.
Alternatives:
Opting for foods which are easier to digest is recommended. This includes cooked vegetables which get broken down in the process, making them safer to eat for ostomates.
For grains, you could choose white rice or pasta over their whole grain counterparts.
Tough, Stringy Meats
Tough cuts of meat, such as steak and pork chops, can become problematic for ostomates and it is recommended to avoid them if you have a stoma. This is due to the increase in risk of blockages and irritation around the stoma site, similar to high fibre foods.
Alternatives:
To avoid any blockages, choose tender cuts of meat such as chicken breast or fish. Slow-cooking methods like braising can also help make meats more tender and manageable.
Fruits with Skins
Fruits like apples, pears, and berries, particularly those with skins and seeds, can also be difficult to digest and may cause blockages around your ostomy.
Alternatives:
Peeled and cooked fruits like applesauce, canned fruits or bananas are easier on the digestive system and provide essential vitamins without the risks.
Did you know?
Peeling and cooking fruits, like apples and pears, make them easier to digest and also help retain most of their nutritional value? Cooking breaks down the fibre and softens the fruit, reducing the risk of blockages for stoma patients.
High-Fat and Fried Foods
High-fat and fried foods can slow down digestion and lead to diarrhoea or other digestive issues, which are particularly troublesome for someone with a stoma.
Alternatives:
Instead go for a grilled, baked or steamed food option. For example, you could choose grilled fish with a drizzle of olive oil rather than fried fish. Not only does this aid in digestion but also contains less calories.
Gas Producing Foods:
Certain foods are known to cause gas, which can be particularly uncomfortable with a stoma and should be avoided. Beans, lentils and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and brussels sprouts are common culprits in this category.
Carbonated beverages and raw onions can also introduce extra air into your system, leading to bloating and discomfort. It might be best to avoid these foods with a stoma or consume them in moderation to minimise gas production.
Excessive consumption of gas producing foods can lead to the ballooning of your stoma bag. Ballooning refers to the inflation or swelling of your stoma bag due to unreleased gas, this can be uncomfortable and also lead to an increase in odour from the pouch.
Alternatives:
To minimise the risk of this it is recommended to limit the intake of gas producing foods as well as eating slowly and avoid drinking through straws, which restricts air entering your digestive system.
How Do Different Foods Affect Stoma Ouput?
Different foods can significantly affect stoma output, influencing both consistency and frequency. High fibre foods can bulk up the output, making it more solid, but they can also cause blockages.
On the other hand, high sugar and high fat foods can lead to looser output or diarrhoea. It’s essential to monitor how your body reacts to different foods and adjust your diet accordingly.
Conclusion
Avoiding foods with a stoma requires some adjustments and accomodation, but with the right alternatives, you can still enjoy a varied and delicious diet.
You don’t necessarily need to avoid certain foods with a stoma, however, always remember to introduce new foods gradually and monitor your body’s reactions. Consulting with a dietitian or healthcare provider will give you personalised advice to ensure you’re meeting your nutritional needs safely.
By making informed choices, you can avoid discomfort and enjoy a healthy, balanced diet.
Please note: The information throughout these pages should be used as a guide only. Please consult your GP or medical professional for further information about your condition.
