Ostomy

Nutrition Tips For Colostomy, Ileostomy & Urostomy

urostomy-ileostomy-colostomy-diet
18 Dec

The diet of people who have undergone colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy is not so strict. Although you do not need to follow a very special diet, the most important thing is to eat healthy meals, which is the key to a balanced diet for all of us.

However, you should remember that every person is different. Depending on the gut flora of each individual, some foods that are suggested may not bother you and vice versa. Your doctor is definitely the best person to give you advice about your diet and you should contact him or her for any questions or whenever you feel discomfort.

We have put together some easy nutrition tips and tricks for every ostomy case, so you can enjoy a healthy and balanced diet without deprivation every day.

Table Of Contents

After the ostomy surgery I have lost my appetite. Is it normal?

Totally normal! During the first month after ostomy surgery, your appetite may be quite poor or you may experience loss of appetite. You may also have a strange sense of taste in food. As a result, some people may not eat or drink things they have always enjoyed. Do not worry though, it won’t last forever.

If you feel this way, the following simple dietary guidelines for ostomy patients can help:

  • Drink plenty of fluids! Good fluid intake is bread and butter in colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy
  • Eat smaller and more frequent meals
  • Include fruits and vegetables in your diet, but one at a time to monitor the effect they will have on your body
  • Start by tasting fruit without their skin
  • If you are still bothered by the taste of a food but want to include it in your diet, then you should try consuming it differently (cooked, boiled, steamed, etc.)

In time you will be able to enjoy most, if not all of the foods you ate before surgery. Some people even started enjoying foods they had not eaten in years!

What can I eat?

Having an ostomy does not mean that you should follow a specific diet, so eating should be a pleasure as before, but without exaggeration.

The best way to stay healthy, whether you have a stoma or not, is to eat right, wash food well and try to eat regularly, slowly and calmly.

  • Start by eating small portions, then continue to increase the amounts until you start eating normally
  • Eat small meals every 3 hours (for example). It will be easier for you than eating 3 big meals
  • When eating be relaxed, with your torso upright, eat slowly and chew food well with your mouth closed. Also, avoid talking when eating in order not to create gases
  • Include fiber in your diet (whole wheat bread, bananas, etc.)
  • Drink plenty of fluids! Drink fluids (water, tea, etc.) at least 1.5 liters per day. If you have constipation, be sure to increase your fluid intake
  • Some foods can help reduce / control odors such as yogurt, mint, water and parsley
  • Avoid certain foods that can cause diarrhea, such as very spicy foods, fatty foods, raw vegetables, etc.
  • Avoid certain foods and beverages that may cause flatulence, such as beer, cider, beans, dairy products, etc.
  • Avoid certain foods that can cause odors or bloating, such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, etc.
  • Especially for the urostomy diet, some foods may stain the urine (such as beets) or give them a specific odor (such as asparagus and cabbage). It is best to avoid plum or cranberry juice as they make the urine more acidic.
  • Check the amount of vitamin B12 in your blood often, because in many patients it tends to disappear

Do I have to drink a lot of fluids?

The answer is a resounding yes, as already pointed out above. You should get used to drinking a lot of water throughout the day.

Colostomy - Ileostomy

The absence of the bowel, that until now was solely responsible for the absorption of fluids and their return to the body, gives way to the stoma and you should drink more water as your colon doesn’t absorb as much water as it should. To compensate for this, you should drink an average of at least 2.5 liters of water a day.

The daily water consumption of course depends on the type of colostomy or ileostomy you have and usually ranges between 1.5 and 2 liters.

In general, it would be good to avoid carbonated and alcoholic beverages as well as to drink liquids with a straw because they create gases.

Urostomy

Here the rule is again to drink plenty of water every day but you should stick with quantities between 1.5 to 2 liters.

This is especially important in the case of ileoderm urostomy, where urine may contain mucus and block the catheters.

Of course you can drink coffee, tea and juices in addition to water on a daily basis while you can include alcohol in your diet but in moderation.

What changes when there is heat in people with stoma and fluid intake

High temperatures play a special role in fluid intake in people with ostomy.

Especially those who have ileostomy are particularly prone to dehydration because it is constantly productive, but also due to the generally increased sweating. The heat therefore intensifies the frequent filling of the ileostomy bag.

However, you should be very careful and increase the amount of fluids you drink even if it seems difficult to avoid dehydration.

At the same time, it would be good to limit or even avoid drinks with added sugars, artificial colors and sweeteners.

The appropriate colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy bag helps significantly in treating most of the symptoms caused by various eating disorders.

Try for free through EOPYY and find the one that suits you!

Just fill in your details and we will contact you immediately or call us for more information.

2311286262
Get free samples of colostomy & ileostomy bags and products through EOPYY



    What should I do if I have diarrhea?

    If you suffer from diarrhea caused by antibiotic therapy, anxiety, enteritis, food poisoning, chemotherapy or radiation, it is a good idea to reduce your intake of fruits and vegetables in your colostomy, ileostomy or ureterostomy diet.

    • Keep your body hydrated! Drink a glass of water per hour.
    • If diarrhea persists, eat dry foods such as toast. Then you can eat foods such as white rice
    • Use drainable ostomy bags and eat foods low in fiber
    • If diarrhea persists, consult your doctor
    • Avoid dairy products for 24 hours.

    What should I do if I have constipation?

    If you suffer from constipation it is good to increase fluid intake as well as fruits and vegetables.

    • Drink at least 2 liters of fluid a day
    • Drink a glass of ice water on an empty stomach to speed up bowel movement
    • Drink natural fruit juice in the morning on an empty stomach such as frozen grapes, oranges, apples and plums.
    • Eating citrus fruits such as kiwis and oranges can help
    • Exercise helps
    • If constipation persists, consult your doctor.
    • Do not eat rice and cooked carrots
    • Avoid tea and coffee because they contain caffeine which can cause dehydration and constipation
    • CAUTION: Please, do not take laxatives without telling your doctor

    What should I do if I have bloating?

    • Eat your meals calmly, quietly, at specific times
    • Chew your food well
    • Drink plenty of water (preferably between meals)
    • Avoid foods that cause bloating, such as dried vegetables, beans, chickpeas, peas, whole wheat bread and so on
    • Avoid soft drinks. If you definitely want to drink soda, stir it with a spoon to remove the bubbles before drinking
    Tags:
    ,
    Newer Life with an ostomy after surgery & returning home
    Back to list
    Older How to Change the Colostomy – Ileostomy Bag and How to Take Care of the Stoma Area

    Related Posts

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *