Hpfy patient-room.com

Advanced Search

Diet for Ostomy Patients

Hpfy Article Image

Introduction     |    How to Choose Ostomy Diet?     |    Precautions     |    Foods to avoid

People with ostomies many a time have a question during the initial phases of the ostomy, what can we eat? How often can we eat? Every day meals that were initially a source of daily nutrition and fun are now the source of confusion. Ostomates are unsure of which food to restrict to avoid trouble and which food to consume to enhance their health. Most people with ostomy return to their normal diet soon after the operation. Many individuals with ostomy can enjoy a normal diet within 6 weeks of surgery; however, food tolerances can vary from person to person.

Diet for Ostomy Patients

To support the need for specialized ostomy diets after stoma surgeries diverse medical research has been conducted around the world. Certain foods are more likely to cause gas, diarrhea, constipation, incomplete digestion or urine odor. But which ones have these effects will depend on your body.

What Are The Important Steps One Should Take On An Ostomy Diet?

There are several things one has to take under consideration before choosing their ostomy diet, as well as maintaining the diet. They are:

  • Eat small meals, and snack at least 4-6 times a day, especially if your appetite is low
  • Always have your meals in a relaxed environment so that you do not stress while eating
  • Limit stimulant foods such as vegetables, whole-grain foods, coffee, and other bowel stimulating foods
  • Be careful before consuming carbonated drinks and beers since they increase the chances of diarrhea.
  • Include protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts, lentils, and beans
  • Starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes, and pasta
  • Calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt

Precautions One Should Take While On an Ostomy Diet

There are a few precautions one has to take while maintaining an ostomy diet. They are:

  • Always analyze your digestion process before choosing foods for your daily diet.
  • Different foods affect different ostomates differently and hence it is important to list the foods that can cause problems for you
  • Consult a medical professional before making changes to your diet since the stage of the ostomy and its recovery can be crucial while deciding which foods to eat and which to not.

Foods to avoid with an Ostomy

 Effects of food  Food Type
 Gas  Beans, carbonated beverages, asparagus, beer, broccoli, sprouts,   cabbage, cauliflower, peas, onions
 Thinned Stool  Grape juice, high-sugar foods, fried foods, spicy foods
 Thickened Stool  Applesauce, bananas, cheese, pasta, rice, peanut butter (creamy) and   potato (without skin)
 Incomplete  Digestion  Celery, apple peels, cabbage, coconut, corn, dried fruit, mushrooms,   nuts, pineapple, popcorn, seeds, skins from fruits and vegetables
 Increased odor  Alcohol, eggs, fish, asparagus, broccoli, dried beans, garlic, onions, and   peas
 Reduced odor  Buttermilk, cranberry juice, parsley, yogurt


Besides keeping a control on your diet, you can also opt for some ostomy accessories that can enhance your comfort. There are ostomy belts, deodorants, skin protectants, etc., each with its own specific benefit. Ostomy support belts hold up the ostomy bags and keep the collection bag, stoma and wafer concealed. Deodorants curb unpleasant and embarrassing odors associated with ostomy bags. Skin protectants form a protective layer between the skin and the adhesive to manage sore, irritated and dry skin

 

All You Need To Know About Ostomy

 


Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.