After a patient's colostomy or ileostomy has healed, in general they can return to eating a normal healthy diet. There are no foods in particular that are  advised against, but there may be foods specific to individual patients that cause problems. The frequency, amount and consistency of stool is partly influenced by the patients diet.

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The patient should be advised to chew all food thoroughly so it is broken down as much as possible before reaching the stomach. This will aid digestion, and make blockages less likely to occur. This is required as stoma patients usually have a shortened digestive system and shortened intestinal transit, which reduces the amount of time food has to break down.

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Foods that commonly cause problems with stoma patients:

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OBSTRUCTIVE

• Apple peels

• Raw cabbage

• Coconuts

• Dried fruit

• Mushrooms

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ODOUR PRODUCING:

• Asparagus

• Baked beans

• Broccoli

• Cabbage

• Eggs

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DIARRHOEA INDUCING:

• Alcohol

• Whole grains

• Fresh fruits

• Leafy green

• Milk

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GAS PRODUCING:

• Milk

• Alcohol

• Soy

• Cucumbers

• Nuts

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COLOUR CHANGES:

• Asparagus

• Beetroot

• Food colouring

• Iron tablets

• liquorice

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Food that may help stoma patients with problems:

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CONSTIPATION RELIEF:

• Coffee

• Cooked fruits

• Cooked vegetables

• Fresh fruits

• Fruit juices

• Water

• Mild laxatives

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ODOUR CONTROL:

• Buttermilk

• Cranberry juice

• Orange juice

• Parsley

• Tomato juice

• Yoghurt

• Peppermint Oil

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Ileostomys more so than colostomys can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This can include poor absorbtion of vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, fat and folic acids. Also excess water and sodium can be lost if the ileostomy output is very liquid in consistency.

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