Ostomy Diet
Care instructions
Overview
After an ostomy your body needs time to heal. Little by little, you can start adding your favourite foods back into your diet. Living with an ostomy might mean changing certain foods you eat, when you eat, and how much water you drink.
Where your ostomy is in your digestive tract (gut) affects how your body breaks down (digests) food. The changes in how food moves through your body, as well as certain foods, can cause gas, smells, or diarrhea. Always talk with your doctor or dietitian before you make changes in your diet.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
How can you care for yourself at home?
- Spread meals and snacks throughout the day. It may help to avoid big meals in the evening, so that you do not pass a lot of waste (output) into your ostomy pouch during the night.
- Cut food into small pieces. Chew slowly, chew well, and take your time eating. That will help your body digest the food and help lower your risk of a blockage.
- Write down foods that cause symptoms like gas, smells, or more output in a journal like the food, lifestyle, and symptom journal.
- If you don’t usually eat spicy foods, bland foods may be easier to digest.
- If you notice unpleasant odours (smells) or gas from your ostomy pouch, note which foods may cause them so that you can limit them. Try cranberry juice, buttermilk, yogurt, or parsley to help reduce odours. You also can use odour-proof ostomy bags or special deodorants for the bags.
- Odour-causing foods: eggs, beans, fish, garlic, onions, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, and alcohol. Certain spices (such as turmeric, cumin, curry, and coriander) and some vitamin and mineral supplements also cause odours.
- Gas-causing foods: beans, cabbage, onions, beer, carbonated drinks (like pop or sparkling water), strong cheese (like aged cheeses or blue cheese), and coffee. Using straws, gulping liquids, or drinking too fast may also cause gas.
- While your ostomy heals, some foods can increase the risk of blocking your gut.
- Foods that may cause a blockage: corn, nuts, seeds, dried fruits like raisins, tough leafy greens like celery or kale, fruits with membranes like grapes and oranges, fruits that are tough or stringy like pineapple and coconut, and meats with casings like sausage. When your ostomy has healed, you can gradually add these foods back into your diet. Keep chewing these foods well.
- Some foods will pass through your body without being completely broken down. Some foods may change the colour of your output. You may see corn kernels, bright red beet juice, red pepper pieces, and other bits of food in your ostomy bag. This is normal.
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Try to drink 9 to 12 cups (2.25 to 3 litres) of fluid each day. Fluid can come from water, tea, milk, and food like soups, broths, and smoothies. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your healthcare provider before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.
- Watch for signs of dehydration, like headaches and a dry mouth. If you are active, you may need more fluids.
- Monitor how often you need to empty your ostomy bag. If it needs to be emptied much more than usual, you are at risk of dehydration. Learn more about nutrition for a high output ostomy.
- Your healthcare provider may recommend that you drink an oral rehydration solution if your ostomy output is high. These include drinks like Pedialyte, Hydralyte, or you can make your own oral rehydration drink.
- Constipation may be a problem if you have a colostomy. If you are constipated, drink more fluids, try to be more active, and contact your healthcare team. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking a laxative.
- Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any vitamin and mineral supplements.
Learn more about eating well after an ostomy:
To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_ostomy_diet_inst.
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.
Current as of: January 3, 2025
Author: Nutrition Services, Alberta Health Services.
This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.
