Whether it is due to ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, colon cancer, or intestinal trauma, an ileosotomy or colostomy might become necessary to help the body properly process waste. An ileostomy is a surgical creation of an opening from the body’s surface into the ileum (lowest part of the small intestine) whereas a colostomy is a surgical creation of an opening from the body’s surface to the colon (part of the large intestine). Immediately following either one of these procedures, you will be placed on a clear liquid diet, and will most likely be on a regular diet in 2-6 weeks. Here is brief guide to help you transition to a regular diet post Ileostomy or Colostomy!

- Avoid chewing gum, drinking with straws, or consuming carbonated beverages.

- Chew your food very well before swallowing: Take small bites of food and make sure you chew leafy greens thoroughly!

- Avoid lying down immediately after eating, because this can increase gas.

- Try to have small, frequent meals throughout the day, instead of a few large meals

- Have your largest meal in the middle of the day, not at normal dinner time.

- Do not drink liquids at the same time that you are eating solid food, if you have high output.

- Drink at least 8-10 glasses of liquid a day: Drink even more if you sweat a lot or have diarrhea.

- Avoid whole grains at first, because they will contain too much fiber for you!

- Do not eat much fat at one time, because doing so may cause pain or discomfort: Avoid fried foods!

- Add one food at a time when advancing your diet, so that if a problem occurs, it is easier to pinpoint what is the precipitating cause. Note: Remove a food for a short period of time, if you have determined that it is causing symptoms. Try it again later… it does not necessarily mean that you can never eat the food again!

- Avoid these foods during the healing period because they may cause an obstruction: Nuts, Seeds, Corn, Raw cabbage, Lettuce, Bean sprouts, Green peppers, Peas, Celery, Coconut, Dried fruit, Citrus fruits with membranes attached, Fruits with seeds, such as berries or tomatoes, Pineapple, Unpeeled fruit or potato, Popcorn, and Grapes.

- Avoid these foods during the healing period because they may cause diarrhea: Foods with high-sugar content, Spicy foods, Grape juice, Prune juice, Apple juice, Baked beans, Green beans, Spinach, Cabbage, Broccoli, Raw fruit, and Beer.

- These foods may cause gas and/or an increase in odor: Cabbage, Sauerkraut,  Rutabaga, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Mushrooms, Olives, Dried beans and peas,  Garlic, Onions, Leeks, Asparagus, Radishes, Pickles, Cucumbers, Melons, Prunes,Raisins,Strongly flavored cheeses, Fish, Eggs, Cauliflower

- These foods may cause a decrease in odor: Buttermilk, Yogurt, Kefir (cultured Milk drink, similar to yogurt), Parsley, and Cranberry sauce.

For more information, check out RD411 or the American Dietetic Association!

Eat Well & Eat Happy!