Colostomy Diet: Things To Know

A colostomy refers to a diversion in the colon to reroute the passage of intestinal wastes away from its natural pathway. Waste content leaves the body through an abdominal opening, called a stoma.

 

After #colostomy surgery, some lifestyle changes become inevitable. The most significant change is related to the diet.

 

General diet guidelines

The first few weeks after #surgery are crucial. You will have to be careful about your diet in this duration. Here is what you need to consider.

 

• You will need to avoid eating fewer, big meals during the day. Instead, eating small and frequent meals may be more appropriate.

• Avoid eating too quickly. Chew your food well.

• Adequate hydration is necessary. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of #water a day.

• Eat foods that are bland and low-fiber.

• Before introducing your favorite #food back into your #diet, ask your doctor about the impact.

 

During your hospital stay, a dietician will visit you to discuss the types of foods you can eat. You can contact the dietician from home to learn more about what you should or shouldn’t eat.

 

Recommended foods

During the first few weeks after surgery, you should eat bland and low-fiber foods. Bland foods are well-cooked and easy-to-digest foods. These foods help you avoid uncomfortable problems such as #diarrhea, #blockage, and gas.

 

Here is what you can eat after colostomy surgery.

 

• Milk and dairy: You are going to have to avoid dairy products that are high in fats and lactose. Instead, you should consider non-fat milk, powdered milk, non-dairy milk, lactose-free dairy products, yogurt, and cheese.

• Meats and proteins: You can still eat meat during the recovery period after colostomy surgery. Meats that contain lean protein include poultry, fish, and meat without visible fats.

• Grains: Grains that are high in fiber shouldn’t be in your diet plan. Consider low-fiber grain foods such as white bread, pasta, rice, products made of refined flour, and cereals.

• Vegetables: Vegetables have varying amounts of fiber. You should pick low-fiber ones. Foods that you can eat in this regard may include well-cooked vegetables, including potatoes, zucchini, and tomatoes. Make sure to peel off their skins and cook those well. You can also have lettuce and strained vegetable juice.

• Fruits: Make sure that the fruit you are about to eat has low fiber content. You may have to avoid pulpy fruits. Alternatively, you can drink pulp-free fruit juice to prevent the intake of high fiber.

• Drinks: Water is the best beverage to drink with a colostomy. If you want to drink other beverages as well, you will need to make sure that those are not caffeinated and carbonated.

 

Adding foods to your diet

Food intolerances can develop after surgery. These intolerances result from the vulnerable state of your bowel after surgery. Eating any food that may be a little harsh for your bowel in this state may end up giving you diarrhea, bloating, gas, or odor. Food intolerances subside when the colon recovers.

 

When introducing new foods to your diet, make sure that you are introducing one at a time. It will help you notice the impact of those foods. If that introduction doesn’t go well with your #bowel, you can stop eating that food for a while.

 

Be sure to talk to your doctor or ostomy care nurse before making any diet-related change.

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