Education: Good and Bad Foods For Illeostomy

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Signs of a clogged stoma.

No output or only watery output under pressure for a few hours after eating. Could be caused by a covered stoma by improper application of an appliance, typically hole is cut too small or too much paste. Also could be caused by eating hard food. Seek treatment by an emergency room, remove appliance if necessary and wait. If clogged a severe pain will eventually appear which hopefully will clear itself. If not a trip to surgery would be necessary. Unfortunately very high and frequent output will ensue after clearing for quite some time which will likely making putting on a replacement appliance difficult. Use stool thickening tactics (below). If going to an ER, bring your own otosmy gear and a change of clothes as hospital likely doesn't carry or doesn't know how.

What is "pancaking?"

Pancaking occurs when a vacuum in the bag (likely do to a clogged filter) or super thick stool blocks stool from depositing to the bottom of the bag. Thus can force bag off and cause leaks. Controlling what one eats and by mixing and consuming stool thickening and stool softening foods at the same time to get a balance.


What is "ballooning?"

Ballooning occurs when foods eaten produce too much gas and the filter gets clogged (likely due to laying down) and thus forces bag off and causes leaks.

These two conditions can cause premature bag replacement and leaks which burn the skin. It's better to replace the appliance if there is any continuous stinging pain, don't just live with it. Keep an eye on your otosmy supply and have ample reserves.

I've found that caffeine, in coffee, tea and even chocolate is a dyaletric, meaning it causes diarrhea and can assist in controlling flow so stool is more liquid.. Dried Chinese Crispy Noodles are the exact opposite, a severe stool thickening food. By mixing these with other foods one can manipulate their stool output and counter the issues above. Also the severe thickening helps in cases where one has severe diarrhea and unable to reattach a new bag due to high flow.


Eating Guide


Partially copied from my nutritionists guide. Ileostomy Nutrition Therapy from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (This handout may be duplicated for client education.)

My recommendation is to see a nutritionist for the full guide as not all can be pasted here

Foods That May Cause Blockage (very bad avoid!)

Apples, unpeeled
Bean sprouts
Cabbage, raw
Casing on sausage (inside fine)
Celery
Chinese vegetables (stir fried crunchy)
Coconut
Coleslaw
Corn (grits also, corn doesn't seem to dissolve in stomach)
Cucumbers
Dried fruit, raisins
Grapes
Green peppers (red, yellow also)
Mushrooms (doesn't dissolve in stomach)
Nuts
Peas (mushy interior okay, skin problem)
Pickles
Pineapple (liquid okay)
Popcorn
Relishes and olives
Salad greens
Seeds and nuts
Spinach (doesn't digest)
Tough, fibrous meats (for
example, steak on grill, grisle especially)
Vegetable and fruit skins
Whole grains (no grits, oatmeal seems to be okay)




Foods That May Cause Gas or Odor

Alcohol
Apples
Asparagus
Bananas
Beer
Broccoli (clog hazard)
Brussels sprouts (clog hazard)
Cabbage (clog hazard)
Carbonated beverages
Cauliflower
Cheese, some types
Corn (clog hazard)
Cucumber
Dairy products
Dried beans and peas (clog hazard)
Eggs (don't digest in stomach)
Fatty foods
Fish (salmon may not!)
Grapes
Green pepper (red and yellow also)
Melons
Onions (clog hazard)
Peanuts (clog hazard)
Prunes
Radishes
Turnips
Soda and sipping using straws, drink from glass instead
Seafood


Foods That May Help Relieve Gas and Odor

Buttermilk
Cranberry juice
Parsley
Yogurt with active cultures


Foods That May Cause Diarrhea (looser or more frequent stool)

Alcohol (including beer)
Apricots (and stone fruits)
Beans, baked or legumes
Bran
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Caffeinated drinks
(especially hot)
Chocolate
Corn
Fried meats, fish poultry
Fruit juice: apple, grape,
orange
Fruit: fresh, canned, or
dried
Glucose-free foods
containing mannitol or
sorbitol
Gum, sugar free
High-fat foods
High-sugar foods
Licorice
Milk and dairy foods
Nuts or seeds
Peaches (stone fruit)
Peas
Plums (stone fruit)
Prune juice or prunes
Soup
Spicy foods
Sugar-free substitutes
Tomatoes
Turnip greens/green leafy
vegetables, raw
Wheat/whole grains
Wine


Foods That May Cause Diarrhea (looser or more frequent stool)

Alcohol (including beer)
Apricots (and stone fruits)
Beans, baked or legumes
Bran
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Caffeinated drinks
(especially hot)
Chocolate
Corn (clog hazard, even grits, doesn't digest)
Fried meats, fish poultry
Fruit juice: apple, grape,
orange
Fruit: fresh, canned, or
dried
Glucose-free foods
containing mannitol or
sorbitol
Gum, sugar free
High-fat foods
High-sugar foods
High salty foods
Licorice
Milk and dairy foods
Nuts or seeds
Peaches (stone fruit)
Peas
Plums (stone fruit)
Prune juice or prunes
Soup
Spicy foods
Sugar-free substitutes
Tomatoes
Turnip greens/green leafy
vegetables, raw
Wheat/whole grains
Wine


Foods That May Help Thicken Stool

Applesauce
Bananas
Barley (when OK to have
fiber)
Cheese
Dried Chinese Crispy Noodles (severe thickening, mix with other food that causes diarrhea)
Marshmallows
Oatmeal (when OK to have
fiber)
Pasta (sauces may increase
symptoms)
Peanut butter, creamy
Potatoes, no skin (skin clogs)
Pretzels


I'm adding to this list based upon experience.