Dietary Guidelines for Ileostomy Patients: Managing Stool and Weight
Managing Diet After an Ileostomy: A Comprehensive Guide
An ileostomy is a surgical procedure that involves creating an opening in the abdominal wall for the small intestine to eliminate waste products. This change in the digestive system can have a significant impact on a person's dietary needs and habits.
Thickening Stool
People with an ileostomy often benefit from eating foods high in soluble fiber and binding agents. While specific examples may vary, common foods include bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. However, it's essential to remember that everyone's tolerance and dietary needs are unique, so consulting a dietitian is crucial.
Thinning Stool
To prevent constipation, a person can eat foods with higher water content and certain fruits and vegetables. However, specific thinning foods were not detailed in the search results. Hydration and moderate fiber adaptative intake are advised.
Reducing Odor
Foods that tend to increase ostomy odor include eggs, fish, asparagus, onion, garlic, cabbage, and certain cheeses. Limiting these foods can help reduce odor from the ileostomy bag.
Aiding Weight Gain
Consuming nutrient-dense foods is recommended for weight gain, but specific foods were not directly specified in the provided results. Consulting a dietitian is important to customize this, especially as nutrient absorption can be affected after ileostomy surgery.
Avoiding/Blockage Risk
Foods that may cause blockages due to their size, fiber content, or stringiness should be avoided. Such foods include popcorn, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, raw vegetables like celery, cabbage, carrots, peas, sweetcorn, pineapple, and skins from fruits (e.g., apple peels). High-fiber foods such as beans, lentils, and fibrous skins should be introduced cautiously and chewed well if consumed.
Managing Output and Gas
Certain foods can result in higher output and gas after an ileostomy. Examples of these foods and their alternatives include high fat milk and dairy products (choose fat-free or low fat dairy products, non-dairy milk, or lactose-free products), high fat meats (lean animal protein), high fiber beans and legumes (smooth nut butters), high fiber grains (white bread and refined or white flour cereals), corn or high fiber vegetables (low fiber options), raw fruits with skins (pulp-free fruit juice, cooked and peeled fruit, or canned fruit).
Managing Diarrhea
A person experiencing diarrhea due to an ileostomy should not exceed two or three electrolyte-replacing drinks per day and should avoid sugary drinks.
Preventing Constipation
To help with constipation, a person can eat foods such as bran products, oatmeal, raisins, cooked, peeled vegetables, and warm soups, and drink hot water with lemon or lemon juice, coffee, or prune juice.
Eating Regularly and Thoroughly
Eating several small meals at regular intervals on a daily basis can help a person better identify when they may need to change their ileostomy bag. Chewing food thoroughly can make digestion easier.
Preventing Thin Stool
To prevent thin stool, a person can eat foods that thicken stool, such as rice, pasta, cheese, bananas, applesauce, smooth peanut butter, pretzels, yogurt, marshmallows, and drink electrolyte-replacing fluids like sports drinks, fruit juice, vegetable juice, and broth.
Wearing an External Pouch
After an ileostomy, a person will need to wear an external pouch to collect waste products.
Changing Eating Habits
Changing eating habits to eat smaller meals more regularly, such as every 2-3 hours, can help the body absorb nutrients better.
Preventing Dehydration, Bloating, and Gas
Limiting alcohol intake can help reduce dehydration, bloating, and gas.
Addressing Nutritional Deficiencies
When nutritional deficiencies occur, a doctor may recommend taking nutritional supplements, most of which should be liquid or chewable but non-gummy. Examples include chewable multivitamins and liquid or chewable calcium supplements.
Oral Nutritional Supplements
Oral nutritional supplements like Boost, Carnation Instant Breakfast, Ensure, Glucerna (for those with diabetes), Kate Farms Nutrition Shake, and Orgain Nutrition Shakes can provide calorie-rich nutrition for weight gain after an ileostomy.
Managing Constipation
A person may experience constipation after an ileostomy if they are taking certain pain medications, not eating enough fiber, not exercising enough, not drinking enough fluids, or taking certain anti-nausea medications.
Following these tips can make for an easier and stress-free eating experience. It's essential to remember that everyone's tolerance and dietary needs are unique, so consulting a dietitian is crucial.
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- The medical-conditions section of health-and-wellness websites can offer information on foods to avoid for preventing blockage risk, such as popcorn, seeds, and raw vegetables like celery, cabbage, and carrots.
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