Top 6 Healthy Eating Tips for People With Ostomies

Your ostomy doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying food. Follow these simple and practical guidelines.

Discover 6 keys to healthy eating.

Food can make life even more enjoyable. And it’s such a big part of being social. Thankfully, a stoma doesn’t have to change all that. It should not keep you from loving food, or sharing a meal with family and friends.

Follow these six simple and practical guidelines to enjoy your food while staying healthy:

1. Stay on a regular eating schedule. Stick to one that is easy to follow and does not restrict your lifestyle, or the lives of those around you.
2. Chew food thoroughly. Eating slowly helps your stoma deal with what will eventually go through it, plus you’ll enjoy your food more.
3. Don’t worry too much about what could be good and bad for you. Moderation is the key.
4. Don’t eat a large evening meal. This can make your pouch fill up more quickly overnight, and your sleep may be interrupted if you need to empty it.
5. Avoid excessive amounts of alcohol, which may cause dehydration. Depending on the type of stoma you have, your pouch may have to be emptied more frequently. And be aware that beer can also cause more gas.
6. Watch your fluid intake and urine output if you have an ileostomy or a urostomy. Aim for six to eight glasses of fluid each day to avoid dehydration. If you pass regular amounts of clear or pale, straw-colored urine, you most likely have enough fluid in your system. If your urine becomes brown or dark yellow in color, it’s wise to drink more fluid to keep properly hydrated.

View or print the full PDF booklet: Living with an Ostomy: Healthy Eating