Colostomy Diet: What Can I Eat Without Consequences

A well balanced diet not only keeps you healthy but also improves your quality of life especially as a new colostomy patient.
What is the perfect colostomy diet?
Over time, people with a colostomy will be able to reintroduce all the nutrients to their diet.
However, after the surgery, it may be beneficial to pay more attention to what you eat and to the body’s signals.
Physicians would usually recommend lessening or avoid some fiber foods such as whole foods, wheat, and nuts that can increase and thicken your output and raise the risk of blockage.
To avoid also other uncomfortable symptoms such as gas and diarrhea, it is best to follow a bland regimen that comprises: well-cooked and easy-to-digest food (boiled or steamed vegetables, lean meat, canned fruit, etc.).
Remember that there is no perfect colostomy diet because there are factors to consider such as your unique needs, medical history, and the type of colostomy you had.
But you can follow some common rules to reduce the risk of unsettling symptoms. These are:
- Follow regular meal times
- Eat slowly and calmly
- Eliminate previously not tolerated foods
- Use these cooking techniques: boiling, grilling, steaming, and backing.
- Limit the intake of sugar and sugary foods.
- Rest in a seated position for 15 to 30 minutes after the main meals.
- Drink plenty of non-carbonated, non-frozen drinks after or before meals.
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In this article you will find the following:
- What You Need To Know About Colostomy Diet After Surgery
- Introduction to the Four Types of Colostomy
- Guidelines for healthy nutrition for patients with ascending and transverse colostomy
- Guidelines for healthy nutrition for patients with descending and sigmoid colostomy
- Low-fiber foods
- General rules of healthy eating for colostomy
- Colostomy diet: summary table of recommended and not recommended foods
- Colostomy: common problems and how to manage them
- Final Thoughts: Foods to Avoid for Proper Colostomy Management
Introduction to the Four Types of Colostomy
Over time, you have also to learn how to monitor your stool consistency, so you will know what fluids or foods will be beneficial or not for you.
However, the thickness of your stools doesn’t only depend on the food and beverage intake.
It can also be dependent on the placement of your stoma in your large intestine. When the stoma is higher up in the GI tract, the stools tend to be looser. If most of the colon is intact, you might have more formed outputs.
Below are the four types of colostomy to be aware of what to expect in your outputs:
What is Ascending colostomy?
Most of the ascending part of the colon which is located in the low to middle right side of the abdomen is removed or bypassed during the surgery.
You’ll have watery feces and gas is common. There’s decreased ability to absorb fluid and electrolytes and dehydration can occur with excessive sweating, diarrhea, and/or vomiting.
The thicker the output, you’ll know that you’re absorbing more nutrients and fluids.
What is Transverse colostomy?
The procedure is done in the transverse part of the colon or a large part of the large intestine usually located at the center of the abdomen above the navel. Your output is fluid to pasty or semi-formed feces and gas is common. You’ll experience decreased ability to absorb fluid and electrolytes as well.
Low Fiber diet
Limit fiber for 2 weeks after your surgery to avoid any allergy reaction or triggers to other health conditions you may have. Don’t worry because you will be able to go back to your usual diet after 6 weeks or so with the advice of your physician. This depends on his overall assessment during your follow-up appointments based on your health conditions, stoma healing, etc.
You’ll also find that this recommendation is highly beneficial in the long run as you’ll have lesser issues with your outputs.
Foods to avoid |
Recommended Foods |
Whole foods | Peeled fresh fruit |
Dried fruit and nuts | Extracted Juice |
Legumes | White bread |
Fruit with peel | White pasta |
Vegetables that could cause gas and bad smells such as: cabbage, broccoli, mushrooms, asparagus, garlic and onions |
White rice
|
Diet with Low-level Animal Fats and Cholesterol
Some dairy products and fats may cause loose stools, gas, or odor. Below are some examples of food to avoid or eat in moderation but keep in mind that every person is unique.
Along your journey, you’ll learn which foods cause problems repeatedly and you must totally avoid these.
Foods to avoid |
Recommended Foods |
Fat cheese |
Vegetable fats |
Cured meat |
Lactose-free dairy products with skim milk |
Eggs |
Yogurt with probiotics & Low-Fat buttermilk |
Red meat |
White meats: chicken, turkey and rabbit |
Oily fish |
Cod and sardines |
Beverages Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Daily fluid intake is very important so aim for 8-10 glasses each day.
Some beverages may help to avoid constipation and some could cause diarrhoea. However, also consider that stress or medications may be causing your loose or watery output.
Avoid: |
Recommended: |
Very cold drinks |
Pear and plum juice |
Carbonated and sweetened drinks |
Filtered fresh juices |
Alcohol (causing dehydration) |
Fruit and Vegetable extracts |
Coffee or any caffeinated drink (it accelerates bowel movements) |
Isotonic drinks |
Lower Uric Acid and Less Oxalates Diet
To prevent any more bowel problems, it is recommended that you maintain a low uric acid level in your urine.
Foods to avoid:
- Cured meat
- Other processed meats (especially pork)
- Red meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Alcohol
- Sodas
Also, some are sensitive to oxalic acid derived from some food so talk to your physician to know if you are one of them.
Foods to avoid or limit:
- Spinach
- Cabbage
- Swiss chard
- Green tomatoes
- Rhubarb
- Legumes and beans
- Beets
- Pumpkin
- Cocoa & chocolate
- Parsley
- Chives
- Celery
- Dried fruit and Nuts
- Soy drinks
Low-fiber foods
White bread, white pasta, and white rice could be added to your diet, just avoid whole grains, fresh and dried legumes such as broad beans, lentils, and chickpeas as these are high in fiber and may cause discomfort such as bloating.
Also avoid all kinds of nuts and vegetables that could cause you excessive flatulence. Below you will find a summary table of foods recommended and not recommended for a low-fiber diet:
Make sure they are well cooked.
+ |
– |
White bread |
Whole grains |
White pasta |
Fresh and dried legumes |
White rice |
Cauliflower |
Carrots |
Broccoli |
Green beans |
Onion |
Chard |
Paprika |
Potatoes and sweet potatoes (without peel) |
Garlic |
Pumpkin |
Coriander |
Celery |
Cucumber |
Tomatoes (without peel and seeds) |
Corn |
Zucchini (without seeds) |
Asparagus |
Canned fruit: apple, peach, apricot and plum |
Artichokes |
Low-Fat Animal Proteins
If you have descending or sigmoid colostomy, you may still be allowed to take in dairy products and derivatives with skim or low-fat milk including lactose free cheese and yogurt.
Below are some low-fat animal proteins to add to your diet :
- Lean meats (turkey, chicken and rabbit)
- White fish (cod, sole, hake, sea bass and octopus)
- Egg whites
Hydration is the Essence of Well-being
You will most likely lose a large amount of fluid through your stoma. For this reason, you will need to drink a lot and try to maintain proper hydration.
Water is always the best source of fluids for the body. Nevertheless, consider using oral rehydration solutions if needed.
1. Follow regular meal times
Eat small and frequent meals to facilitate digestion and avoid the formation of gas in the empty intestine.
You may divide your food into six meal times:
- Breakfast
- Morning snack
- Lunch
- Afternoon snack
- Dinner
- After dinner snack
Doing this will also ensure that you get all the nutrients you need each day. To begin, start with a low volume of food and gradually increase the amount according to your tolerance.
Be aware that you might not feel full after eating smaller portions, however it will certainly help your digestion.
2. Chew well and eat slowly
Another way to prevent gas is chewing your food well and avoiding swallowing air. Chewing gum is also not recommended as it produces gases and some have a laxative effect.
3. Avoid previously not tolerated food
The introduction of new foods or textures, as well as the amount of food consumed, must be gradual and tailored to your unique needs.
It’s best to try new food at home, not in restaurants and public places since you still don’t know how your intestine will react. This will help you to avoid unpleasant situations.
4. Use healthy cooking or preparation techniques
- At the beginning of your healing process, boiled foods are preferred. You may gradually introduce other types of cooking such as grilling, steaming, baking and low-fat soups later on.
- Foods that are very hot or cold should be avoided. They could give you a feeling of fullness that will last very shortly.
- It is not recommended to use spices at first so consider using only salt.
- Use vegetable and raw fats like olive oil, when you are ready to introduce low-fat foods.
5. Limit the intake of sugar and sugary foods
Sugar can cause dumping syndrome – a condition that happens when fat or sugar is consumed suddenly and passes from the stomach to the intestine unexpectedly, resulting in hot flashes, nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea.
6. Rest for 15-30 minutes after main meals
Rest in a sitting position instead of lying down after eating. Proper posture helps you in the digestion process and prevents bloating, gas, and other discomfort.
7. Drink plenty of non-carbonated, non-frozen drinks after or before meals
Drink plenty of water 30 – 60 minutes before and after each meal – NOT during meals – so that your body absorbs nutrients from food properly.
Doing this will also aid in proper digestion because drinking too soon could dilute the digestive juices.
Colostomy Diet: Summary of Recommended and Not Recommended Foods
FOOD CATEGORY | RECOMMENDED | NOT RECOMMENDED |
Dairy products |
|
|
Fat |
|
|
Meat, fish and eggs |
|
|
Cereals, legumes and tubers |
|
|
Fruit |
|
|
Vegetables |
|
|
Drinks |
|
|
Sweets and sweeteners |
|
|
Seasonings |
|
|
Check out the summary table below for more information on how to best manage your bowel movements.
A healthy diet is crucial for your well-being!
Common Colostomy Problems and How to Overcome Them
Above, we’ve shared a wide range of guidelines and colostomy diet that might help you in your healing and coping up journey.
However, please know that what worked for one patient doesn’t work for everyone. Below are some of the common problems you could also encounter which might be caused by your food and beverage intake.
Constipation
To solve constipation problems, increase your fluid intake (all the information you need is given in the section: beverages rich in vitamins and minerals).
If constipation persists despite fluid intake and proper nutrition, talk to your doctor.
Gas and Odor
Producing more gas is expected after ostomy and is also a part of bowel function.
However, there are foods that increase gas and odor such as cabbage, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, legumes, asparagus, peas, beans, artificial sweeteners and carbonated beverages.
These foods, on the other hand, reduce bad odor:
- Tomato juice
- Orange juice
- Yogurt (with probiotics)
- Parsley
- Mint water
Dehydration
Increase and monitor your fluid intake if you are actively exercising, having diarrhea, or sweating excessively because dehydration may cause problems with your stoma.
Some signs of dehydration include:
- Increased thirst
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- Confusion, sluggishness, or even fainting
- Inability to sweat
- Reduced and / or darker urine production
If you have experienced any of these symptoms, electrolyte drinks or rehydration solutions can help you recover from dehydration. In any case, consult your physician for best advice depending on your current situation.
Diarrhea
If you are having watery and frequent outputs 4 times or more a day, it could be caused by foods such as:
- Raw/undercooked vegetables
- Spices
- Prunes/Figs
- Chocolate
- Dried Fruits
- Fresh fruit
- Salad dressing
- Pure Fruit Juice
- Highly spiced/Fatty Foods
- Bran
- Cereals
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
Other causes include:
- Skipping meals
- Food poisoning
- An infection in your intestine
- Antibiotics and other prescription medications
- A blockage in your intestine
You can drink sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions and avoid the foods listed above.
Don’t forget to contact your physician if you need medication help.
Final Thoughts: Foods to Avoid for Proper Colostomy Management
In general, what you cannot eat with a colostomy will be those foods and drinks that will cause you frequent issues such as constipation, diarrhea, gas and bad smell. Problems that you can avoid by following proper nutrition and the advice of your doctor.
Finally, keep in mind again to focus on your healing first and not stress too much on thinking about your limitations. Just be mindful and conscious before taking in any kind of solid food or beverage. Furthermore, don’t forget about the hygiene of your stoma and use specific detergent with a self-balancing pH.