Hi Liza,

I'm prone to blockages of the small caused by adhesions and have been hospitalized to clear. I have been given different advice regarding what not to eat from my doctors and dieticians Among the foods that I have been told to avoid are nuts, seeds, peels, pulp, fruits with skins such as grapes and blueberries. Vegetables should be well cooked and avoid cabbage, celery and Brussel sprouts, stringy types.  The reason for avoiding all these foods is that they can get stuck at that spot and cause a blockage. Also recommended is eating 4-6 small meal rather than the usual 3. Eat slowly and chew foods thoroughly. Hope this helps. 

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My own rule of thumb is, Everything In Moderation!

My ostomy is mid transverse, and is also herniated. 6 years out now, I find I can eat anything without a problem if I masticate well and only eat a moderate amount. I love popcorn for instance, but limit myself to basically a coffee cup size portion. I am a HUGE seed and nut eater, constantly eating peanuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds etc. but again. in moderation.

The list of foods to avoid pretty much took away most of my diet.  I love salads, raw veg, nuts, seeds, corn and so on.  All things I considered healthy.  The options given were nauseating to me - soft or canned veg, white bread, mushy pasta etc.  Ugh.  To add to the issue, I'd rather not eat at all than to eat yucky mushy food.  Having T1 diabetes, gastroparesis and ileostomy I had so many food restrictions it was triggering an eating disorder.  I finally made the decision to add the foods I love and eat slowly, eat small meals, chew thoroughly and drink lots of water.  Things I normally do anyway.  I'm so glad I put the fear from all of the restrictions away and went with my "gut" lol. For me, I have had  no problems with blockage or discomfort.  I now eat pretty much all the things I love following those guidelines.  I wish you well.  

Thanks to those of you who replied. I will keep experimenting with nuts cautiously. Right now pistachios are my fave. I am chewing them up really well, but wondered if there is anything else about nuts and seeds that pose a blockage risk. 

It is a beautiful day here in Washington. I hope all of you are having lovely days too. 

I too was told at the hospital a bunch of what not to eat . For me that was alot of things I normally eat . I'm not much for veggies always been more of a meat n potatoes eater . I slowly worked back into my old diet I eat nuts corn popcorn (occasionally) potatoes blueberries strawberries citrus pretty much anything I want . Yes I don't eat very healthy  . I do find starchy foods thicken my output but not unmanageable  . Had my surgery 5 years ago so far no blockages . Knock on wood . But I do drink alot of water . 

Hi Lisa,  I was given all the same messages about what not to eat after my ileostomy surgery.  I was really careful to avoid anything that might cause a blockage for several weeks, but then slowly started trying things.  Now, six months in I have to be totally honest here, I literally can eat anything, and I've gotten so blase about it that I don't even really pay attention to my chewing.  I am someone who was always a slow eater and probably already  just naturally chew my food enough.  I eat all vegetables, corn, mushrooms, raw tomatoes, nuts, all fruits with skins, pineapple, you name it.  On the other hanad I became an ileostomate due to chronic constipation.  What I've heard is that those who had Crohn's or Colitis are more likely to have scar tissue and that is what can cause the blockages.  So I think your personal history may have a lot to do with your chances of success here.  My advice would be don't rule anything out, but be cautious and try a small amount first.  Good luck!

Terry

@jeff

Thanks Jeff. This article was super informative about why nuts can be a concern. Thanks for taking the time to share it with me. 

@squeakyandliza Pistachio nuts caused my only ever blockage! My parents have for decades purchased for me, upwards of 4 kilos of pistachio nuts. I could easily eat 1/2 a kilo of them at one sitting (especially watching golf!)

Now, my wife gives me measured portions in a small container, and HIDES the rest from me!

Liza

You love your nuts

Nut energy ball : need a nut grinder/coffee grinder, example 1/2 almonds, 1/2 sunflower seeds grind until smooth, and some honey and apple juice concentrate too sweetness, cacao power or lemon juice, optional cinnamon or vanilla essence, mix all together and mould into little balls. then enjoy will last several days if you don't eat them all too quickly.

vary the recipe to your choosing.

yes, some people are worried about the phytates, not sure how much of an issue this really is.  You can soak nuts, whizz them in a blender, strain and make nut milk, that is really tasty, especially with cashews.  it sounds like you have chewed your nuts very well and not had a problem with blockages. when soaked they are even easier to chew.  

I hope this helps and enjoy your nuts and seeds. 

Posted by: @goatherder

@squeakyandliza Pistachio nuts caused my only ever blockage! 

Yikes!!  That is good to know. I saw somewhere you could buy them already shelled. That would be way too dangerous. Having to crack them slows me down. 🤣

Also, I have found at Costco Salt and Pepper flavored pistachios. They should probably call them salt and pepper and crack pistachios because they are super addictive because they taste so good. 😋

@chrisandbagpus

Yep Chris, I do love my nuts!!  Some more than others, of course. 

Your recipe for nut balls sound so good!!  I don’t have a grinder, but I do have a food processor, so I bet that would work. 😋 Thanks for sharing it!!

Posted by: @squeakyandliza

@chrisandbagpus

Yep Chris, I do love my nuts!!  Some more than others, of course. 

Your recipe for nut balls sound so good!!  I don’t have a grinder, but I do have a food processor, so I bet that would work. 😋 Thanks for sharing it!!

A food processor will work fine. Of course you could always buy a grinder easier to clean grinds it more finely and Eric benefits if you buy from A (Thumbs Up).

I challenge you to make some and not eat them all in the first day LOL.

Remember nuts are if your not allergic a very good source of nutrients and my wife tells me if they are ground you should more nutrients out.

Enjoy Chris

Before my Crohn's diagnosis, I would eat nuts literally by the ball fall. I absolutely love them all different kinds: salted, roasted, plain, you name it.

While I don't necessarily shy away from nuts because of my ostomy oh, I do find that certain things will thicken my output up and it's just not something that I enjoy. For example, large amounts of peanut butter will thicken up my output but I still enjoy peanut butter. I do still enjoy nuts, but they tend to be inside things like oatmeal or snack bars.

These days I simply tend to avoid nuts because of their high price.

I think that from most people with an ostomy, eating a small number of nuts, let's say the amount that you might be able to fit in the palm of your hand, should be relatively safe provided that they're chewing really well.

I think that anyone can have problems with blockages if they aren't chewing well and/or they're eating a large number of nuts at one time. But that's why I suggest taking it slow and seeing how your body reacts.

@veganostomy

Eric well said and all one handed or by AI

moderation is always a good idea 

LOL

Posted by: @chrisandbagpus

A food processor will work fine. Of course you could always buy a grinder easier to clean grinds it more finely and Eric benefits if you buy from A (Thumbs Up).

I challenge you to make some and not eat them all in the first day LOL.

Well, willpower is not my strong suit so I’m pretty sure I cannot meet that challenge. 😂

@veganostomy

Thanks Eric. I was avoiding them all together and started, like you, with nuts as an ingredient in something. When that went well, I tried some as a snack. I started with almonds and then pistachios. I did notice a thickening of output, so I could see how a blockage could happen if I got carried away, even with chewing them up very well. 

Posted by: @squeakyandliza

I started with almonds and then pistachios.

 One thing that could be very helpful when starting off on nuts, especially new types, is to let them soak for several hours or overnight. Almonds in particular are really great after they've been soaked overnight.

@squeakyandliza Pistachio nuts tend to from a thick paste when well chewed. Make sure you get enough fluids while eating them, and limit yourself to a set amount. I won't eat more than 20 nuts in a sitting just to be on the safe side.