What food can I eat with a stoma bag?

Refined grains, like white bread or white rice, and low fiber fruits and vegetables are a few examples of foods that are usually recommended on a colostomy diet ( 4 ). It's also important to eat foods high in protein, like lean meats, eggs, low fat dairy, and nut butters. These can help support wound healing ( 6 ).


What foods should I avoid with a stoma?

Some foods can swell in the bowel and may cause a stoma blockage.
...
The following foods are known to increase the risk of food blockages, so extra care should be taken:
  • Nuts.
  • Coconut.
  • Celery.
  • Mushrooms.
  • Sweetcorn.
  • Raw fruit skins.
  • Bean sprouts and bamboo shoots.
  • Dried fruit such as currants and raisins.


Are there food restrictions with a colostomy bag?

A guide to foods not to eat when you have a colostomy bag

Stay away from these foods when you've recently had colostomy surgery: Dairy products. Fried food or any fatty meats, including potato chips. Foods that are very high in fiber such as wheat bran cereals and whole grain bread.


What can you eat and drink with a stoma?

In general, people with an ostomy can eat and drink what they want unless the surgeon or ostomy therapist has given counter-advice. But as before the surgery some food may be easier to digest than others – and right after surgery it may be helpful to pay some extra attention to the signals from your body.

Can you eat bread with a stoma?

You must still include fibre in your diet. Choose some foods from the following list daily: Wholemeal bread.


WHAT I EAT IN A DAY WITH AN OSTOMY: Episode 1



What is the best thing to drink with a stoma?

Keeping hydrated is an important aspect of living with a stoma. For many people it is just making sure you are drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day. You should try to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day along with any other drinks such as tea or coffee.

Are bananas good for Stomas?

* For the first 3 to 4 weeks after your surgery, don't eat more than 1 small ripe banana per day. Eating too much banana may cause an ileostomy blockage.

Can you drink Coke with a stoma?

Fizzy Drinks

It is likely to make your stoma more vocal and can cause ballooning of the pouch. To reduce this avoid fizzy drinks or drink them in moderation.


How often should you eat with a stoma?

Try to have 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones. Eat slowly and chew your food well. Drink 8 to 10 (8-ounce) glasses (about 2 liters) of liquids every day. Eat mostly bland, low-fiber foods.

How long does it take to digest food with a stoma?

How long is it before intestinal contents flow through the stoma after eating? This varies with each individual. It may take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours after eating.

How many times a day do you empty a colostomy bag?

If you allow it to get too full, the weight of the stool may pull the pouch away from the skin. A person with an ileostomy will need to empty the pouch about five or six times in a 24-hour period. If you have a colostomy, you will need to empty the pouch two or three times in a 24-hour period.


What are the three major problems associated with having a stoma?

Overcoming common stoma problems
  • Leakage. Leakage is a big concern for many people with a stoma. Read more information about leakage and find out how to prevent leakage. ...
  • Pancaking. Pancaking is a problem for many people with a stoma. ...
  • Bleeding. Bleeding when you wipe your stoma is common and nothing to be alarmed about.


Are you classed as disabled if you have a stoma bag?

Having a stoma can also be classed as having a disability, but this is where I struggle. I use a disabled (or accessible, as I prefer) toilet on occasion, as is my right. However, as someone once chose to tell me when I came out of a disabled toilet – 'I don't look disabled'.

What foods increase stoma output?

Foods that are reported to help thicken the stoma output include apple sauce, bananas, buttermilk, cheese, marshmallows, jelly babies, (boiled) milk, noodles, smooth creamy peanut butter, rice, tapioca pudding, toast, potatoes and yoghurt.


Can you eat porridge with a stoma bag?

Stoma nurses will generally advise that you aim for a consistency like porridge. This means your output isn't watery enough to risk dehydration but not so thick it causes discomfort or blockages. If you have a high, watery output there are a number of things you can do to try and thicken it.

Can you eat salad with a stoma bag?

Raw vegetables, including salad e.g. lettuce, celery, raw bell-peppers and spring onions. Hard to digest vegetables, including beans like butter beans or green/runner beans, sweetcorn, peas, mushrooms, cabbage, brussel sprouts, spinach, kale and spring greens.

How often do you poop with a stoma?

For those with an ileostomy, output tends to be thinner and more frequent, prompting about six to eight bathroom trips a day. Some people who have an ileostomy may be looking for ideas on how to firm stool up a bit and decrease output and/or trips to the bathroom.


Do you have to sleep on your back with stoma?

The best position to sleep in when you have a stoma is on your back, or on your side. If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, this will be fine at the beginning of the night but increases the chances of leaks as the night progresses and your bag fills.

Should you drink a lot of water with a colostomy?

NHS guidelines recommend around 6-8 glasses of fluid (1.5-2 litres) per day but many people will need much more than that especially if you have a stoma, and especially if you exercise or are travelling somewhere hotter.

How do you go to the toilet with a stoma?

The opening is called a stoma. The colon, where poop forms, will now expel poop through your stoma instead of your anus. You may need to wear a colostomy bag to catch the poop when it comes out. Some people only have a colostomy for a few months, and others need it for life.


Can I shower without my stoma bag?

You can bathe or shower with or without wearing your pouching system. Normal exposure to air or water will not harm or enter your stoma. If you're showering without your pouch, remove the skin barrier too. Try to create a routine that coincides with when you're due for a pouch change.

What cereals can I eat with a stoma?

Non-fibrous cereals that do not contain nuts, seeds or fried fruit e.g. Rice Krispies®, Cocopops®, corn and frosted flake type cereals.

What does sugar do to a stoma?

You can also try sprinkling white sugar directly onto the stoma. It will not hurt the stoma but will make it shrink. You may or may not need to reduce it further with the palm of your hand as outlined in #1. After the stoma is reduced, be sure to wipe the sugar off before applying the pouch.


Can I drink tomato juice with a stoma?

If you notice your stoma is producing an odour and it's not going away, you may want to limit your intake of these foods, or speak to your doctor about medications that may help to reduce its noticeability. Drinking orange juice, tomato juice or cranberry juice may also help to moderate any unpleasant smells.

Why does my stoma bag fill up so quickly?

This may be due to your stoma being too high in the small bowel for normal absorption to occur i.e. not enough small bowel is available to absorb water and salts. Or your bowel is having a temporary functional disorder causing the increased output i.e. the bowel is present but not absorbing salts and water correctly.