Ostomy Diet

This diet is used to prevent or limit unpleasant odor, gas, and blockage with and/or after an ostomy placement.

It is important to follow an ostomy diet for 6-8 weeks after placement. After 6-8 weeks, add new foods one at a time to make certain the food/foods can be tolerated.

This diet has been designed for those people who have had an ostomy placement.

If you have an ileostomy or colostomy, you can eat a full and varied diet. Everyone is different with regard to food tolerance. You will need to experiment to find out what foods you can and cannot eat.

For the first six to eight weeks after surgery, your physician may instruct you to follow a low residue diet (low fiber) to give the bowel adequate time to adjust and heal.

After six to eight weeks, high fiber foods may be added to the diet, one at a time each week to allow you to determine your tolerance of each food item.

If you have an ileostomy and you are experiencing a lot of output, you may need to increase your intake of foods high in potassium for the first few weeks following surgery.

You may also need to increase your intake of salt and water unless your physician indicates otherwise. You should add extra salt to food and drink seven to eight cups of fluids per day.

In order to improve digestion and regularity, you should attempt to adhere to the following dietary guidelines:

• Eat at regular times

• At first you may find it easier to eat 3-4 meals per day. Try not to skip meals. This may cause gas production and watery stools

• Eat more in the morning and afternoon and less later in the day to minimize filling of the ostomy bag at night

• Avoid foods that you suspect may be troublesome

• Chew food thoroughly with the mouth closed to avoid excessive air swallowing

• Eat in a relaxed atmosphere

• Do not wash down food with water. Chew food well and then drink water if desired

• Progress to a well-balanced diet containing a variety of foods from the four basic food groups: milk and milk products, meats and meat substitutes, fruits and vegetables, and breads and cereals

• Skin and seeds on fruits and vegetables should be removed

• Increase intake of vitamin C by consuming more citrus juices

• Extra calories are not usually necessary. However, if you are underweight, you should obtain extra calories from carbohydrates such as breads, cereal, noodles, fruit juices and vegetables instead of increasing intake of fats and oils

• Drink at least 8-10 cups of liquids each day to prevent dehydration and constipation.

• Slowly add milk and milk products to your diet. If these foods cause uncomfortable side effects such as gas and diarrhea, omit from your diet for several days and gradually add them back in small amounts

BREADS & GRAINS 6-11 servings each day

• Refined cereal (cream of wheat, cream of rice, oatmeal)

• White bread, rolls, crackers

• White rice

VEGETABLES 3-5 servings each day

• Soft, cooked green beans, carrots, beets, squash, and stewed tomatoes,

• Mashed, boiled, or baked potatoes without the skin

• Other pureed vegetables

FRUIT 2-4 servings each day

• Applesauce, bananas, and canned fruit packed in water or juice

• Unsweetened citrus juices and lemon juice

MILK & DAIRY 2-3 servings each day

• All cheeses without seeds

• Cottage cheese

• Milk and milk products as tolerated

• Smooth yogurts

MEAT & MEAT SUBSTITUTES 2-3 servings or total of 6 oz daily

• Lean meat, fish, and poultry

• Eggs (avoid fried eggs)

FATS & SNACKS (use sparingly)

• Low-fat desserts such as angel food cake, vanilla wafers, graham crackers

• Nonfat frozen dessert, and frozen yogurt

MISCELLANEOUS

• Fat-free broth, bouillon, and cream soups made with skim milk and lean meats

• Tea and coffee

The above opinionated views and information serves to educated and informed consumer .  The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. .It should not replaced professional advise and consultation.A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions