I was fortunate to have received quite a bit of information about what foods to eat (and avoid) following my ileostomy surgery. The information was quite important because it was aimed to not only prevent dehydration but also to avoid potential blockages.
Because our stoma swells up after surgery, we can’t eat meals that would be hard to pass through that swollen stoma.
Knowing how to reduce the risk of blockages is important (saving you a trip from the ER!).
Disclaimer: Your doctor or stoma nurse should be able to provide recommendations during this initial healing period. The usual time on this post-op diet is 6 weeks, but your surgeon may require you to be on it longer (or shorter) depending on your progress. This post focuses on ileostomy post-operative care based on my own experience. Many of the foods and suggestions that are given would apply to colostomies too.
Table of Contents
Video
Ostomy Diet Tips: The First Six Weeks
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Dietary Goals for the First 6 Weeks
- Maintain adequate hydration and electrolyte balance.
- Avoid foods that are likely to cause blockages. These are often high-fiber or high-residue foods.
- Avoid food/beverages that increase output too much.
- Learn to chew! Practice mindful eating.
- Eat smaller meals throughout the day.
- Keep nutrition high. Vitamins, minerals, and protein will help you heal.
- Eat enough to maintain a healthy weight (or to increase it if you’re underweight).
Food to Eat and Avoid
Here’s a list of common foods that are deemed “safe” to eat following surgery, as well as common foods that should be avoided during the healing phase. I’ve compiled this list from various sources, but I’ve tailored it in a way that substitutes animal products; this means that anyone will be able to make use if this list.
Beverages
| Beverages to Include | Beverages to Avoid |
|---|---|
| When it comes to avoiding blockages, just about every beverage is “safe”. | Some drinks may increase output (alcohol, certain fruit juices, coffee, cola, etc.) or produce more gas (carbonated drinks). Keep track of the ones that do, and avoid them. |
| A guide to keeping hydrated can be found HERE. | Alcohol should be avoided during this period, not only to help avoid dehydration but also because you may be taking pain meds which may interact negatively with alcoholic beverages. |
Grains
| Grain Products to Include | Grain Products to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Bread, including pita bread, flatbread, and wraps | Any products that have whole grains, seeds, dried fruit, bran or added fiber. |
| Pasta, noodles, vermicelli, couscous | Brown and wild rice |
| White rice | |
| Cereal (not whole grain), including oatmeal. | |
| Cookies, oatmeal cookies | |
| Crackers |
Fruits and Vegetables
| Fruits and Vegetables to Include | Fruits and Vegetables to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Vegetable juice (like V8) are excellent. Carrot juice and tomato juice on their own are great too. | Asparagus, raw beans, raw carrots, broccoli, cabbage (incl. sauerkraut, tomatoes, celery, etc.) |
| Apple sauce, well-cooked apples (without the skin). | Corn and corn products. |
| Canned fruits and veg (I found canned peaches, canned carrots, canned green beans and canned beets worked really well). | Mushrooms (all types, even if they are canned) |
| Most smooth baby food (don’t laugh, this one can help a lot!). | Grapes, whole apple, pineapple, whole mango, etc. |
| Bananas, plantains. | Dried fruits. |
| Cooked veg are usually fine as long as they are soft (no skins, no seeds). | Fruit jam (with seeds). |
| Tomato sauce (without seeds). | Greens (spinach, lettuce, bok choy, kale). |
| Potatoes without the skin (mashed, boiled, microwaved, steamed, baked). | Skins of fruits and vegetables. |
| Sweet potatoes (without skin) and squash. | Seeds in fruits and vegetables. |
| Soups made from blended veg or broths. | Coconuts (even shredded). |
| Avocados. Great to add over potatoes or as a spread. | |
| Fruit jelly. |
Non-Dairy Products
Dairy alternatives:
- Non-dairy milk (soy, almond, hemp, coconut, rice, etc.).
- Non-dairy yogurt.
- Non-dairy cheese.
- Sorbet or non-dairy ice cream.
Avoid any of these products if they have fruit pieces in them (i.e. in yogurt).
Protein-Rich Foods
| Protein-Rich Foods to Include | Protein-Rich Foods to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Tofu. | Chunky nut/seed butter, whole nuts, and seeds. |
| Seitan (wheat gluten); ease into this one if you haven’t had it before. | Legumes including Adzuki beans, black beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, mung beans, whole soybeans (including edamame). |
| Most mock meat products are safe, high in protein, fortified with vitamins and minerals and taste great. | Tempeh. |
| Smooth nut and seed butter (almond, peanut, sunflower seed, cashew, etc.). | |
| Hummus (avoid whole chickpeas). | |
| Many of the non-dairy products are high in protein. |
Fats and Oils
While these are usually foods to avoid for optimal health, they can be a source of much-needed calories during recovery and can help make bland foods more palatable.
- Vegan margarine.
- Vegan mayo.
- Oils are considered “safe” for new ileostomates, but olive and flax oil are the healthiest of the bunch.
- Coconut oil can be used to cook with, or as a spread on bread.
Other Foods and Supplements
| Other Food and Supplements that may be Included | Other Food and Supplements to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Protein powder may offer some benefits if you aren’t able to eat enough during the day. For my recovery, I went with THIS product. | Avoid condiments and garnishes with seeds or chunks (certain mustard, relish, olives, some salsa, etc.) |
| Your doctor may recommend a multivitamin during the recovery phase; when choosing one, be sure that it’s not a slow-release version, or it may pass through your system without being fully absorbed. More info HERE. | Popcorn and corn chips should be avoided. |
| Most condiments, like ketchup, vinegar or mustard are safe. | Artificial sweeteners may increase output, so keep an eye out when consuming “sugar-free” or “low-calorie” products. |
| While candies are generally safe, they are empty calories. | |
| Potato chips are usually well tolerated and can provide both sodium and calories, but will also help slow down your output. |
Pro Tips
- If you have access to a Registered Dietitian that understands the challenges of having an ostomy (or IBD), you’ll be able to get a personalized meal plan through them. Here is an article I wrote about how to find a dietitian HERE.
- Try to have a variety of foods to make sure that you’re balancing nutrients.
- Keep a food diary to monitor effects of certain food or drink, then adjust your diet accordingly.
- Keep snack foods close by if you aren’t feeling well enough to cook or you don’t have any help following surgery.
- Log your food intake so you can track calories and nutrients. I’ve used and still recommend CRON-o-meter.
- If pouch odor is a concern for you, I’ve put together a handy guide on controlling it HERE.
- When you’ve received the OK to start a normal diet, try new foods slowly so you can test to make sure they are passing through your stoma without trouble. Most people will be able to continue eating healthfully with only a few (if any) limitations.
- The following foods and beverages can cause a dramatic change in your output’s consistency. You’ll likely be able to catch the culprit within hours of consuming them:
- Coffee or tea
- Sport drinks
- Soda/Pop/Soft drinks (both diet and regular )
- Fruit juices
- Chocolate
- Certain fruits (for me it’s cherries)
- Artificial sweeteners
- Alcoholic beverages (especially wine)
- Fried foods
- Hot/spicy foods
- Non-vegan foods like dairy (or other lactose-containing food, if lactose intolerant)
Further Reading
- Done your recovery? See what’s on the menu past your initial six weeks HERE.
- To see what I was eating shortly after my surgery (along with nutritional profiles of those meals), please refer to THIS from approx. 2 weeks post-op, and THIS post from approx. 3.5 weeks post-op.
- For more ideas on what foods to eat when eating is difficult, check out THIS article.
- For ways to enhance nutrient absorption, consider reading THIS article.
Question: Do you have any tips to share?
We all know that certain foods will give trouble and are advised to avoid. It sounds daft but for me Lettuce has always been a major problem. All of the advice and replies on VO are advise and experience of a seasoned ostomate and its clearly stated that its not medical advise. I had seen dozens of cases where that has been stated to questions.
Well put John. I can eat ice burg lettuce. — but not the leafy type. Everyone is different. As we all have learned about OURSELVES and from others here, as we proceed into our new life as an Ostomate, our diet’s/foods improve.. Like Eric said, follow the Doctors advise, and slowly if you want introduce new foods–keep a diary.. I can eat grapes-not to many at one time- I can eat many straw berrys, pealed oranges.. I started slow and worked my way up– Although, I NEVER had these above the first 8 months tho.. and if I did ? water was a main factor of comsuming these. Now I just pop them in, chew, and enjoy!! Got to CHEW !!!!!!!!
Hi Birdbirdbird! As per my about me page and about this site page, and my disclaimer both in the article and at the bottom of every page on this site, I’m simply a patient sharing information that I’ve either learned through experience or through best practices established by nurses and doctors.
I’m actually very sensitive to making sure that any information I provide is accurate and in no way makes it seem as if it should be taken over your doctor’s recommendations.
Regarding food, there are many recommendations that certified ostomy nurses and surgeons will tell patients, but even those could be risky for certain ostomates depending on their health history, stoma type, internal scarring, past history of strictures, etc.
One strawberry causing a blockage is very unusual. Did the doctors at the ER say why it caused an obstruction? I’m assuming it wasn’t eaten whole. Did he eat anything else that day? How recent was his surgery?
I totally agree! Some people simply have trouble with “safe foods" – the vast majority do not, which is why I’m of the opinion that most people shouldn’t exclude healthy foods because of warnings intended for a small group of patients.
Had I followed the guidance of the “safe food list" I was given, I’d still be eating crackers and pureed food!
I’ll be the first to suggest that someone speak to their doctor, nurse, dietitian, etc. You wouldn’t believe how many emails I get with very serious medical questions – they always get the same reply “talk to your doctor or nurse".
You’re very welcome :) And please, if you have any other concerns, please let me know! I want this website (and the information I provide) to be accurate and trusted. There are many ostomy nurses who read this site, and if there are any points that need to be clarified, I always make sure that gets done.
Wonderful thankyou very helpful
Currently reading this article while laying in the hospital next to a VERY loud snorer. I’m just now hitting the 2 week mark of my colostomy surgery, I rushed out of the hospital after 4 days without knowing if I could tolerate solid foods, needless to say I developed a blockage and after 48 hours ended up in the ER extremely dehydrated and projectile vomiting from the NG tube they had to reinsert(not very pleasant with the 17 staples in my abdomen). In the first weeks after surgery would you recommend not taking protein powders? I am 23 yrs old and very athletic protein shakes are a big staple in my diet.
Hey Connor.
Sorry to hear about the less-than-ideal situation!
Protein shakes are perfectly fine, especially after surgery. I was drinking them for a while after I had my operation because I wasn’t able to eat as many calories as I needed, so protein was supplemented through the use of powder.
Best of luck to you!
This video was very helpful. I am 4 weeks post-op with ileostomy. The diet has been challenging. In addition to ulcerative colitis, I also have Celiac disease. Luckily, I did meet with a registered dietitian, but the more information the better. Looking forward to better days ahead.
Glad you have a registered dietitian to help. Best of luck to you!