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What I eat as a Vegan Ostomate (w/ video)

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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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What an interesting study, @p14175! The only times I intentionally fast is when I'm sick or when I travel - this can be 24h or multiple days. 

I had to force myself into fasting when I was really sick because food hurt so much to eat, so I'm used to going 3, 4, 5 days without food. You kind of get used to not eating after the first day of feeling really hungry, but I don't encourage that type of fasting. 

When I do fast now, I can say that my output is dramatically decreased, which is why I find it handy for traveling. 

I never fasted for weight loss, so I can't comment on that.

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@p14175)
Joined: 5 years ago
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Thanks for posting your experience.  I have never had trouble fasting short-term (16 hours) or long-term (days).  I am looking forward to starting fasting again in 2019.

When I was getting released from the hospital after surgery (8/24/18), the WOC nurse and the dietitian were both adamant about eating multiple times a day and eating a lot of carbs.  I have been paleo/keto/growing my own food for years, but I figured that at least for the first few  months I would follow their advice since they know more about the best way to heal after colon cancer surgery and getting used to having an illy.  To tell you the truth, I think they are so stuck on SAD (Standard American Diet) that they can't see the benefits of other ways of eating.   

-Linda


   
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VeganOstomy
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Posted by: p14175

When I was getting released from the hospital after surgery (8/24/18), the WOC nurse and the dietitian were both adamant about eating multiple times a day and eating a lot of carbs. 

Eating multiple (small) meals a day helps to insure consistency with output. It also helps to prevent blockages and gas. 

Carbs in general help to thicken up loose output, but whole-food carbs that contain fiber also helps our gut microbes, which in turn helps us :)

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@john68)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 2022
 

Totally agree with Erics post, eating small and often is a great way for an ostomate. and getting to know what foods thicken and make output loose solves a lot of problems.

ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns


   
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 LK
(@dlkfiretruck)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 1460
 

Hi Eric, Loved the video and the write up! Are the recipes you mention on the site? I was unable to access them. I have a question for you. I would like to contribute a recipe or two that I have always enjoyed. However, I do not want to slant away from the Vegan theme. I respect that you are vegan very much and appreciate your kindness to animals in the matter. But, I would like to ask why vegans do not use milk from cows and goats along with butter and cream, cheese...you get the picture I am sure. I don't think this harms the animals in any way to be milking them, they kind of came with the udders. It confuses me when I want to share a recipe that I have thought of as vegan. I admit that I am "sort of" in "thought" vegan, but fail badly because I love fish. My guts are horribly sensitive to digesting red meats so I tend to avoid them. So, If I posted a recipe and put milk or butter down would this disqualify the recipe? I want to be respectful to you and what you are dong here. Also, how in the world do you get all the iron we need in a day?
Right now, due to malabsorption I am horridly anemic and just can not seem to change things no matter what. The anemia is being treated with Iron Infusions for now, but they are expensive at $131.50 an infusion with three teeny tiny bottles mixed with something else.My income of $1300.00 makes these difficult to afford. I would rather eat the iron then blast it thru my veins.
I love Tofu and fooled my hubby and kids into Tofu burgers one day but lost my recipe along the years but would love another great recipe like the one I had. How much Tofu is required in a day to get what we need in vitamins? It may just be my eyes, but I can not seem to find information on this anywhere...inexperience on the computer more likely.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Linda (L.K.)

Linda


   
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 LK
(@dlkfiretruck)
Joined: 7 years ago
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I just succeeded in accessing the highlighted areas above. Thankyou...I took notes!

Linda


   
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VeganOstomy
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Posted by: LK

Are the recipes you mention on the site? I was unable to access them. 

I haven't posted any recipes, mostly because I don't follow recipes when I cook :) I love to improvise and see what happens.  

I would like to contribute a recipe or two that I have always enjoyed. However, I do not want to slant away from the Vegan theme. So, If I posted a recipe and put milk or butter down would this disqualify the recipe? I want to be respectful to you and what you are dong here.

You're free to post recipes here, but please keep it plant-based (there are substitutes for pretty much any ingredient, so "veganize" a recipe if you like): https://www.veganostomy.ca/community/food-and-recipes/

Also, how in the world do you get all the iron we need in a day?

I actually recovered from anemia by just eating more healthy meals and using a few tricks to increase absorption. I share a few of these tricks in this article: https://www.veganostomy.ca/enhancing-nutrient-absorption-tips/

I love Tofu and fooled my hubby and kids into Tofu burgers one day but lost my recipe along the years but would love another great recipe like the one I had. How much Tofu is required in a day to get what we need in vitamins? 

I actually don't eat a lot of tofu and never make my burgers with tofu! We love bean burgers here

I tend to make variations of this burger and my family loves them! https://happyherbivore.com/2011/01/hotelroom-burgers/

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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Marcie
(@shulmjs)
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I might add, my Dr. told me to drink 2 oz. of fluids per pound we weight.  I  tried/trying deeply-- but feel like my teeth r floating !!!!!!!!! That is a lot of fluids !! 

2014 - 3 strangulations of colon, Ulcerative colitis, removal of colon, illiostomcy named woooh Nellie..


   
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VeganOstomy
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Posted by: Marcie

I might add, my Dr. told me to drink 2 oz. of fluids per pound we weight.  I  tried/trying deeply-- but feel like my teeth r floating !!!!!!!!! That is a lot of fluids !! 

Yikes, I don't think that's right - a person weighing 150lbs can't drink 350oz (10 liters!!!) of fluids! They'd probably end up with a major electrolyte imbalance before they even got close. 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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 LK
(@dlkfiretruck)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 1460
 

 A recipe is a list of ingredients to me, adding what I feel like that day. I recently thru together  smashed chickpeas, finely chopped onion, salt and pepper, a sprinkle of garlic powder and a dab of Dijon mustard and some mayo. Put it in a pita pocket, added some slices of avocado and thin slices of chopped asparagus. Was it ever good. I was not impressed with how the pita "did not" stay together,  and because bread causes me so much gas, I use crackers now. I just loved the addition of the asparagus, it gave it that crisp green taste. I have served it to friends who eat differently and they loved it. Because I had cooked some salmon up I added some homemade tartar sauce, chopped onion to that and put that on the crackers on top of the beans. Pickles are always a must to me. So good. I am going to try your bean burger recipe. I have never had a bean burger but I love all kinds of beans. You cook the same way I do Eric. This way you can give and take however you like it. 

Linda


   
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(@Trinity)
Joined: 5 years ago
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Could you send me the study as well?


   
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(@Carol)
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 1
 

Is cabbage ok to eat?


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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Hi Carol,

As with all food, I believe it has more to do with how you prepare and consume meals rather than the meal itself.

I eat cabbage quite often without trouble.

Some tips on eating after surgery can be found here:

https://www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-diet-what-to-eat-first-six-weeks/

https://www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-diet-beyond-recovery/

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@Sally)
Joined: 2 years ago
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Wonderful website, thank you.
I had an emergency ileostomy last year 2021, my colon stopped working completely. Over five years of bowel problems seeing five gastroenterologists, three colorectal surgeons, some privately, I was in despair of ever getting help or even being listened to.
Thankfully I eventually was, I was so pleased to have the surgery, a loop ileostomy, all my anxiety and stress melted away. For the first few weeks it was all excellent, though I found the high carb diet dreadful, difficult, I quickly put on weight, felt sluggish, no energy, started to experience aches and pains I'd never had before.
I've been keto for over eight years, I do not eat meat though I eat fish, and loads of low carb veggies. Keto helped me recover from ME/CFS very quickly, I felt amazing on a low carb diet. I also used to Fast regularly, it helped my body have the energy to look at itself and heal itself when it could, very successfully. Even my colon started to work again after a Fast, sadly this only lasted a few days, then it ceased working again.
I'd be over the moon to get back to keto, low carb diet, I very rarely ate refined carbs - sugar or anything made with flour or from grains, I'd like to get back to keto though am struggling with how to make and keep my stoma output like porridge, not being a meat eater I will not eat pig gelatine, I've tried Agar Agar, vegan gelatine with very limited results.
I wondered if anyone was keto with ileostomy, did not eat meat, and how they managed their stoma output, also anyone who Fasted, this was a very important part of my life.
Thank you so much.


   
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VeganOstomy
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Hi Sally,

Is our output currently loose/liquid?

Generally speaking, carbs will thicken output quite easily, although I'm sure there are bulking products like psyllium that might thicken things up, although, I wouldn't generally recommend using something like that long-term unless its cleared by your doctor.

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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 LK
(@dlkfiretruck)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 1460
 

Hello Sally & a very delayed but  big Welcome to VO. I apologize for the delay in getting to your questions.  I have done some reading on the Keto diet to try & understand a bit about it for you. I can understand your frustration.  Eight years on a diet that worked for you & being told to eat so differently had to be very upsetting.

If you haven't already you may want to  ask to speak to a dietitian with knowledge of Ostomies & the keto diet. Its the ostomy part more then the Keto diet you may run into issues with in finding help so be prepared to educate a little about the speed you pass foods through & what your trying to avoid with your output from your ostomy & what you want to accomplish. 

After my ostomy, I packed on 40 pounds in one month!!  It wasn't anything I was eating differently it was my Thyroid Gland & Type 2 Diabetes & Anemia.   Maybe if you haven't, see  your Doctor ask him to test for Thyroid function. I did start to loose some weight following a visit to the dietitian about diabetes but not enough for my liking or for the clothes that no longer fit. lol! 

I missed the raw veggies & salads & foods I once enjoyed so much that helped me maintain a steady healthy weight!!  After binge watching many of  Erics videos I was aware of two things that really hit a note with me. Put my fork down between bites & though I already thought I chewed my food well, I didn't chew it as well as he had talked about. 

My 1st meal eating the way Eric suggested took me over an hour to eat but I chewed & chewed until I had hardly a thing to press between my teeth. It still takes me a long time to eat but I admit I enjoy my food a lot more & am now eating from the list of forbidden foods.  This is where I tell you my kids had dubbed me Queen of Blockages so I was determined to beat that title down. I don't dare say I've succeeded because it'll happen if I do! Lol! But so far so good. lol! 

However it wasn't just chewing & putting my fork down that helped. I had to learn to "cut my food differently" cooked or raw & to "cook it differently" also. I can share all that with you if your interested & if I'm getting to what you need help with .  But Sally all this has allowed me to eat a big plate of Salads again and those raw veggies I enjoyed so much as well as a host of other foods I used to enjoy. But I had to make what may seem like silly changes &  these changes have helped tremendously. 

This is long already but if you think this will help let  me  know what you have tried & whats the most offending foods for you or what you would love to eat food wise & what's holding you back.  Have you kept a food diary of sorts to figure out what works & what doesn't?  Food journals are very helpful in figuring out so many issues with skin too. 

I hope this is helpful for you. Again I apologize for the time it took to get a reply. When this happens its usually due to a very busy week for everyone.  I hope you have a good day.

Linda

Linda


   
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LLNorth
(@llholiday)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 532
 

Hi Sally - Welcome. I have a colostomy, am not vegan or a keto eater, so my situation is different from yours (but we are osto-mates!) - I heard, and have found, that applesauce can thicken output, and so applesauce is part of managing my output. It does contain sugar; I usually buy the kind with no sugar added (but not a sugar substitute - yech), and although I haven’t done it in quite awhile it is easy to make your own. I avoid raw carrot, all spinach, celery, and am careful with peelings. 

The creativity involved in managing/changing diet can be kind of fun - I would like to eat cleaner, and although cooking tofu is a mystery to me the pictures of Eric’s tofurkey feast make me hungry, and I will start experimenting with it one of these days. 

Best of luck to you - I have had my stoma for almost four years and it’s worked pretty well.

LL

Colostomy 4/30/18.
I love the smell of coffee in the morning. It smells like .... victory.


   
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Tigerlily
(@tigerlily)
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 331
 

I have been seeing a dietitian for the past few months to try to regain some control over my output. She suggested tapioca or chia seeds to thicken output. I have found them helpful. So I now mix chia seeds with chocolate soy beverage and leave it to soak for about 30 minutes, then mix it with some tapioca pudding and yogurt, fruit, and nuts for breakfast. I found that I need to go easy on the chia seeds because of the fibre content. Fibre makes my output quite loose.

 

Laurie

Just a semicolon


   
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VeganOstomy
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Posted by: @tigerlily

She suggested tapioca or chia seeds to thicken output. I have found them helpful. So I now mix chia seeds with chocolate soy beverage and leave it to soak for about 30 minutes

I've used Chia seeds (whole) and they are amazing - they produce a type of output for me that simply slides out of the bag! LOL 

Have you tried grinding the seeds up? I usually use a coffee grinder to grind up flaxseed (haven't tried with Chia seeds), and in powdered form the nutrients are better absorbed, and they mix better with beverages.

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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