Your Colostomy

A colostomy can be a valuable way to regaining the freedom and confidence you need to build a healthy bond with your life. Of course, there can be challenges as you settle into living with your colostomy. Here are some tips on what foods to eat after a colostomy.

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Food and Drink

Eating and drinking. They’re a big part of having a healthy bond with your life. But like everyone, at times you may experience constipation or diarrhoea. Luckily, increasing your fluid and fibre intake can help prevent these problems. Here’s how:

Drink six to eight cups (48-64 ounces) of water and other beverages per day.
For more fluid, fibre and a vitamin punch, eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. An easy way to do this is to fill half of your plate with fruit and/or vegetables at every meal¹.
Slowly increase your intake of high-fibre foods, such as whole grains, bread and cereals. As a daily goal, women need 25 grams of fibre; men need 38 grams of fibre².

Of course, some foods may cause odour and/or gas. That’s natural. So, post-surgery, you may want to try these foods privately and one-at-a-time in small quantities. Knowing your body’s reaction to these foods means less time worrying and more time building healthy bonds to the world around you.

Odor-Causing Foods

Eggs
Certain spices, such as curry, cumin and chili powder
Garlic
Fish
Aspargus
Alcohol

Note: Some foods may help decrease odor. These include cranberry juice, parsley, buttermilk and yogurt3.

Gas-Producing Foods

Beer/carbonated beverages
Dairy products
Onions
Cucumbers
Mushrooms
Beans
Cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts

Medications

After stoma surgery, the way your body digests and absorbs medications may be affected. Make sure to review all of your medications — both over-the-counter and prescription — with your doctor, ostomy nurse and pharmacist.

Medications you may need to adjust include:

Antacids
Antidiarrheals
Anti-inflammatory agents, such as Tylenol®, Advil® or Aleve®
Aspirin
Laxatives
Vitamins

Diarrhea

Diarrhea has many causes, including viruses and some medications. It can also be a sign of trouble digesting certain foods. In this case, you can reduce some fiber and bulk from your diet, cut back on certain foods, and eat other foods that thicken your stool. These foods include³:

Foods to Avoid During Episodes of Diarrhea

High-fiber bread
Whole grains
Edible fruit and vegetable peels, such as apples
Any food labeled “high fiber”
Fried foods
High-sugar foods
Raisins, prunes and other dried fruit
Spicy foods

Foods that Thicken Stool

Applesauce
Bananas
Cheese
Pasta
Rice
Creamy peanut butter
Potato (without skin)
Tapioca

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Urostomy Nutritional Advice

Unless your healthcare team gives you specific instructions, people with a urostomy do not need a special diet

1. Why 5 A Day? NHS choices. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/5-a-day/why-5-a-day/. Accessed November 17, 2022.

2. Health & Diet Guide. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/default.htm. Accessed November 17, 2022.

3. Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/in-depth/ostomy/art-20045825. Published July 28, 2022. Accessed November 17, 2022.