Illeostomy: The list of foods and their effects rated

[Shamrock4806]

I worked with AI to devise this list and added my own personal experience.

#1 Rule: Anything that can't fit through a drinking straw even if thoroughly chewed is a potential clog hazard as we all can miss things. So I chew well and pick foods that will digest throughly in stomach acid or be very soft to be squeezed out uneventful even if one misses a piece. 5 and 4 star rated foods.

Consider using a blender for items lower on the risk chart 3, 2 and 1 star respectively.

Note: Not advised to exceed the suggested amount per meal spaced 4 hours apart 24/7 or issues occur.

Fat required: Keep between 5% (for vitamin uptake/taste) - 10% RDA per meal in total. If over 10% fat excessive watery output, premature barrier adhesive failure and stoma irritation could occur.

Protein limits: In my experience keep at, but do not exceed, the RDA level of protein spaced out over several meals. If too much protein is consumed at one time, like more than two large thin slices of lean quality roast beef or more than a small piece of plain, skinless chicken or turkey with 1/4 lb of pasta (eat some pasta first before meat), then it draws too much water into the gut and causes watery output. Run meal portions through AI to determine everything as not to exceed limits if one wants to avoid a lot of extra bathroom trips.

Sauces can be deceptive, note the portion size and how much fat as not to exceed 10% RDA for the meal in total. Just enough of some sauces just to barely taste can work, like 5 tablespoons. Alcohol or too much salt will trigger watery bag, even diarrhea where it just doesn't stop.

I typically stick to 5 and 4 star rated foods and supplement my diet with vitamins; a combination of men's general, potassium/magnesium gummies, vitamin K & D2, and Algae Omega 3 if needed Using AI to scan the labels and set up a routine. Taking the vitamins just after I eat.

I also drink a homemade red natural cranberry hydration maintenance solution (or one Drip Drop to a water bottle for on the road) all the time instead of other fluids (not even pain water!) so I'm maintaining my electrolyte balance. I also avoid too salty or brined foods which can throw things out of balance.

For the ORS (not a full grade medical ORS): 1/2 teaspoon of salt with a 1/8 of Lite Salt. 4 level tablespoons of sugar. Two shots of red regular cranberry juice to 64 oz of water. Can add more or less salt if one needs it but depends upon salt level consumed in foods.


★★★★★ 5 Stars

Pasta (2 cups well cooked or 1/4 lb) - Low residue and usually very well tolerated. Helps thicken output, absorbs bile salts (leak burns don't hurt as much) and can be paired with a very small amount of more protein like meat, poultry or even a 1/4 cup of low fat cottage cheese. It's the sauce that can cause a problem either it's too fatty (most cheese sauces), too acidic (tomatoes), has onions (smells) or too chunky that can clog. Keep meals under 10% RDA of fat in total. Also keep meals from having too much meat at one time as too much will draw water into the gut and causes watery output. I like using Lite Mayonnaise.

Cream of Wheat (1 packet) - Smooth texture and easy on the stoma. A small tab of butter for fat and vitamin uptake fine since the meal is vitamin enriched.. An output thickener and good bedtime comfort food.

Mashed potatoes without skin or chunks (1 cup) - Easy to digest and low blockage risk. Any sauce can be bad if meal is over 10% RDA of fat. Causes watery output. Small butter tab for fat okay.

Pancakes or frozen toaster waffles (2 plain) - Refined flour makes them low residue. The fat it's cooked in could be a problem as it's soaked in. Going over 10% RDA of fat per meal (four hour intervals) can cause diarrhea. I tend to avoid pancakes as being nutritionally weak unless fortified. I tend to toast or microwave and eat them plain. Usually vitamin fortified waffles best.

White English muffin (1) - Low fiber and easy to process. Butter or spread can cause watery output. Nutritionally deficient though so I tend to avoid.

Applesauce (½ cup) - Pectin may help firm output. Very good source of vitamin C without the acidity of juices like orange or grapefruit.

Roast beef, tender, low salt/spices and lean (2 thin slices) - Safe if chewed well in moderation and paired with a thickener like 1/4 lb of pasta, provides a good protein and iron source. Tender steak medallions also works.

Greek yogurt (1 cup) - Usually tolerated unless lactose sensitive. Fruit at the bottom okay if no skins (blueberry/cherry) or hard parts (pineapple). Provides a good protein and calcium source.

Cottage cheese (1/4 cup) - Soft dairy protein, calcium, with little residue. Lowfat, low salt and paired with a thickener (bread) best. Over 10% RDA of fat causes runny output. Don't exceed 1/4 cup at a time.

Low Fat Mayonnaise - tastes just as good as the original, nice on fresh bread. However make sure not to go over 10% RDA fat for the meal or it triggers more bile thus more irritating bile salts. Just a few tablespoons at most

Plain regular salted butter - two tabs at a time mixed in pasta or on fresh toasted bread okay if not over 10% RDA of fat for the meal.

Sauces - a few jarred sauces out there are fine as the serving amount plus the food it's put on won't trigger extra bile. As long again, as it doesn't go over 10% fat for the meal. Tomato, most cheese sauces or if it has chunks of veggies is not good. Read the label carefully.

Egg and cheese frozen half pita breakfast sandwiches, seem to be fine.


★★★★ 4 Stars

White bread (2 slices) - Low fiber and generally easy to digest. My cause a little gas due to yeast. A thickener usually, but mild. Toasted sourdough may be best. Bagels provide full feeling and lots of calories.

White rice (1 cup very well cooked) - Helps thicken output and has very low blockage risk. Except for sticky rice, eat that sparingly and chew well to separate. Can pair with small amounts of raw salmon or tuna, but not other seafood or seaweed. A very tiny amount of wasabi okay, lite salt soy sauce used in very small amounts as it can throw ones salt balance off.

Plain oatmeal (½ cup well cooked) - Usually tolerated when introduced gradually. Eh, not my experience. Stinks up the bag bad. An output thickener but too extreme in my experience, causes pancaking. A waste food like corn products IMHO.

Waffles Homemade (1 large plain) - Usually digest well in moderation. Not more than 10% RDA of fat, so avoid the syrup or fruit, just a tab of butter.

Saltine crackers (5–10) - Low residue and may help thicken output. Too much salt may cause watery output. I tend to avoid salted foods and use a ORS instead for salt, much more consistent as it's paired with sugar for intestinal uptake.

Peeled baked potato with no hard parts that may not digest fully (1 medium) - Soft starch with minimal residue. A little tab of butter okay. Difficult to ensure all parts are soft enough so some may pass undigested.

Plain white bagel (1) - Safe if chewed thoroughly. Watch what is put on it (like cream cheese) that it's not over 10% RDA or stinky bag causing white fish etc. although raw salmon or tuna in small quantities may be okay.

Rice Krispies (1 cup) - Gentle and low fiber. Milk used could be a problem. Milk is watery and tends to come out fast.

Seedless watermelon (1 cup) - Soft fruit with low obstruction risk. Spit out pulp after sucking juice is best, thus no fiberous output. A good replacement for nutrients found in acidic tomato/products. Can turn output red so don't be alarmed. Useful if one needs to watery up their output a little as it usually just goes right on through.

Canned peaches (½ cup) - Softened and peeled for easier digestion. May not digest fully, but usually soft enough not to clog if chewed well. Watch out for hard pieces.

Canned pears (½ cup) - Low fiber after processing. Same as canned peaches. Watch out for hard pieces.

Chicken breast, skinless (4 oz) - Lean protein with no fiber. Too much protein at once or fatty pieces can cause watery output. Too dry or hard can cause blockage issues. A little BBQ sauce fine usually.

Turkey breast (4 oz) - Easily digested lean protein. Too much or fat pieces or protein at one time can cause watery output, same as chicken.

Eggs (2) - Excellent low residue protein. May cause watery output and gas, especially if too much is consumed. Prefer separate yolk and whites separate (hard boiled) than mixed or scrambled together for full digestion. I eat eggs sparingly.

Tofu (½ cup) - Soft and easy to digest.

Smooth peanut butter (2 tbsp) - Safer than whole nuts in moderation. Contains oils (fats) and can make skin greasy. Good if ones skin is dry, bad all the time as it makes otosmy adhesive weaker.

White flour tortilla (1) - Low fiber but somewhat dense, don't eat too much at one time.

French toast (2 slices) - Generally easy to digest. Problem is the fat it's cooked in. If over 10% RDA fat for the meal then can trigger watery output.

Low-fiber muffin (1) - Refined flour lowers residue. Watch what's put on it.

Graham crackers (4) - Mild and easy on digestion.

Pretzels (1 oz) - Low fiber but salty which can trigger watery output throwing ones salt balance out of whack.

Avocado (1/4 -1/2 fruit) - Soft but oily, a good fat but may loosen output. Use only with zero fat meals is my advice.

Ground lean beef (4 oz) - Well drained of fat so it's dry. Easier to digest than tougher meats. Good source of protein but usually too much fat. Roast beef slices better and leaner, easier to fat/protein portion control. Too much fat over 10% RDA or protein at once time causes watery output and other issues. Pair in small amounts with a thicker like pasta.

Salmon (4 oz) - Nutritious but fat may increase output. Too much fat over 10% RDA or protein at once causes watery output. Of all the fish, salmon and raw tuna doesn't stink up the bag nearly as much as any white fish) if eaten in small quantities. Pair up with a thickener like rice (chew sticky rice well) or a bread.

[Shamrock4806]

These foods are not all necessarily off limits, but require a lot more attention to avoid clogs, dehydration, pancaking, diarrhea and other possible problems.

Many shouldn't be eaten in whole form but blended into a juice or as a soup and tested.


★★★ 3 Stars

Peeled sweet potato (½ cup) - Soft when cooked and generally safe. Not my experience, it clumps up and causes pancaking because it's fiberous.

Cornflakes (1 cup) - Refined cereal with little residue. Corn anything doesn't digest fully, a waste food. Milk used could be a problem.

Ripe banana (1 medium) - Commonly helps reduce loose output. Very fiberous. But may overdo it and cause severe pancaking. Attempt with one very small bite first to test. Blended in a smoothie best.

Cantaloupe (1 cup) - Easy to digest when very very ripe. Can clog if not. Fiberous won't digest fully.

Honeydew (1 cup) - Low residue and hydrating. Can clog if not very soft. Fiberous won't digest fully.

White fish (4 oz) - Very low residue protein source. Can stink the bag bad.

Mild cheese (1 oz) - Low fiber and generally well tolerated. Over 10% of RDA of fat causes runny output. Avoid low moisture cheese it causes pancaking. I find cheese to be entirely too fatty, thus can't be enjoyed in any decent quantities and usually always gums up the inside of the bag with residue.

Macaroni and cheese (1 cup) - Usually tolerated though higher fat. If not over 10% RDA for the entire meal then fine. But cheese is often rather fatty.

Peeled cucumber (½ cup) - Peel removal reduces residue. Fiberous output.

Cooked carrots (½ cup) - Soft cooking (like mush) lowers blockage risk.

Cooked green beans (½ cup) - Tender texture improves tolerance. Fiberous output. Not advised even if chewed well. Blender perhaps.

Peeled cooked zucchini (½ cup) - Soft and usually safe. Fiberous output.

Pumpkin puree (½ cup) - Often helps thicken output. Fiberous output.

Mango without skin (½ cup) - Soft fruit with moderate safety. Fruits often trigger watery output. Fiberous output.

Papaya (½ cup) - Easily digested soft fruit. Fruits often trigger watery output. Fiberous output.

Seedless grapes (10–15) - Usually tolerated in moderation. Skins don't digest fully. Fruits often trigger watery output. Fiberous output.

Pork loin (4 oz) - Lean cuts digest better. Too much fat over 10% RDA causes watery output. Usually pork has added salt or fats which causes a salt imbalance or watery output. So plain unseasoned pork in small quantities as not to trigger an isometic reaction.

Steak - very small portions of tender steak without seasonings, fatty or hard parts fine. Meats tend to digest very well. Protein can trigger watery output if not first paired with a thickener like plain pasta or bread. Unfortunately steak usually is the main course not a topping like a couple of thin slices of roast beef on pasta. But if one can do that then that's better or suffer with a watery output.

Shrimp (4 oz) - Safe if chewed thoroughly, hard to accomplish in reality. Not advised, stink and clog hazard. Does not fully digest. Lobster the same, however as bisques in small amounts may be fine.

Milk (1 cup) - Fine unless lactose intolerant. Over 10% RDA of fat causes runny output. Can cause dehydration when used instead of an ORS. Too much protein at once can cause runny output. Solid protein sources better than a liquid, doesn't run through as fast. I tend to avoid milk and use low fat cottage cheese or Greek yogurt instead.

Ice cream (½ cup) - Fat and lactose may affect some patients. Over 10% RDA of fat causes runny output. It's just frozen milk with the same effects.

Brown rice (½ cup) - Higher fiber than white rice. Needs to be well cooked and soft. May cause higher transit of output.

Whole wheat bread (2 slices) - Extra fiber may increase output.

Bran cereal (small bowl) - Fiber may speed intestinal transit. Doesn't digest.

Quinoa (½ cup) - Seeds and fiber reduce tolerance.

Couscous (1 cup) - Usually acceptable but varies by person.

Blueberries (¼ cup) - Skins may pass undigested.

Olives (some) skins won't digest.

Strawberries (¼ cup) - Tiny seeds may irritate. But usually pass no problem. Don't eat a lot. Fruit causes watery output and is fiberous.

Orange segments (1 small) - Membranes do not digest completely. Acidic. Squeeze for a small amount of the juice instead.

Tomato (1 medium) - Skins and seeds may cause issues. Includes sauces and soups. Gassy and acidic. Use seedless watermelon for Lycopene etc instead.

Cooked broccoli (¼ cup) - Can produce gas and residue. Can cause a clog hazzard of not cooked extremely soft.

Cooked cauliflower (¼ cup) - Gas and fiber may cause problems. Can cause clog issue if not cooked extremely soft.

Mushrooms (½ cup cooked) - Often pass only partially digested. Not advised unless very tiny pieces in a soup or something, not a lot to cause a blockage.

Bell peppers (½ cup cooked) - Tough skins may remain intact. Not advised. Insides well cooked may be okay if not in quantity.

Cooked spinach (½ cup) - Fibrous despite cooking. Will cause runny output and not digest, avoid.

Bacon (2 slices) - Fat may increase loose output.

Sausage (2 small links) - Fat and spices may cause irritation and runny output if meal goes over 10% RDA of fat. Not advised.

Cheese pizza (1 slice) - Fat content may increase output. Definitely avoid, the temptation to eat more than one thing slice is too irresistible. Toppings and seasonings only make things worse.

Chocolate bar (small) - Sugar and fat affect some patients. I tend to avoid them as they are addicting even in small amounts and lack nutrition. Eat more of the top 5 & 4 rated foods instead reduces the need for craving sweets.


★★ 2 Stars

Apple with skin (½ apple) - Peel raises blockage risk. Not advised.

Lettuce salad (small bowl) - Raw leaves often pass intact. Not advised, causes the body to water flush it out causing dehydration.

Popcorn (1 cup) - Hulls commonly contribute to blockage. Avoid like the plague.

Corn kernels (½ cup) - Outer shell often remains undigested. Avoid like the plague. In fact no corn item digests fully and just comes out.

Celery (½ stalk) - Stringy fibers increase clog risk. Avoid like the plague.

Asparagus (3–4 spears) - Fibrous stalks may obstruct. Stinks the bag up.

Cabbage (½ cup cooked) - Gas and fiber may cause problems. Avoid.

Coconut flakes (2 tbsp) - Fibrous pieces may clump. Avoid.

Pineapple chunks (½ cup) - Tough fibers can be difficult. Suck the juice and spit solids out.

Dried fruit (¼ cup) - Dense fiber raises blockage risk.

Raisins (¼ cup) - Sticky and fibrous.

Tough steak (6 oz) - Dense meat fibers require excellent chewing.

French fries (small serving) - Fat may loosen stool. Any fried foods cause diarrhea bag issue. Baked may be fine.

Potato chips (1 oz) - High fat may increase output. Fried, bad.

Spicy chili (1 bowl) - Often causes irritation and diarrhea. Avoid, instead try a tiny amount of hot sauce on safer 5 star foods for a little heat.


★ 1 Star

Fried chicken (1 piece) - Grease may increase watery output. Any fried foods cause a diarrhea bag issue.

Any spicy or over sweetened foods or drinks like Beef Brisket, overly seasoned, blackened, salted, brined, sugary, caffeine, gums or has any artificial or even naturally devised ingredients, alcohols (yes booze too), dyes or colors or additives. BBQ pork ribs might be fine in moderation, all depends on the coatings ingredients and keeping fat or protein content down.

Beans (¼ cup) - Gas and fiber make them problematic. Watery bag. Clog hazzard if whole.

Lentils (¼ cup) - Fiber increases gas and output.

Whole nuts (any amount) - Major obstruction hazard. Even if ground up in small quantities they still don't digest well.

Seeds (any amount) - Small hard particles may clog the stoma. Avoid! Strawberry seeds in small quantities seem to be okay.

Chunky peanut butter (2 tbsp) - Nut pieces increase blockage risk. Avoid!

Raw carrots (sticks) - Dense texture can obstruct. Avoid!

Raw broccoli (½ cup) - Tough fibers create high blockage risk. Avoid!

Raw cauliflower (½ cup) - Difficult to break down completely. Avoid!

Apple peels (large amounts) - Tough skins may accumulate. Avoid!

Citrus membranes (large amounts) - Fibrous strings may obstruct. Avoid!

Celery strings (large amounts) - Classic ileostomy blockage hazard. Avoid!

Bamboo shoots (½ cup) - Extremely fibrous. Avoid!

Large mushroom pieces (½ cup) - Frequently pass undigested. Avoid!

Bean sprouts (½ cup) - Stringy fibers may bunch together. Avoid!

Dried apricots (¼ cup) - Sticky concentrated fiber raises risk. Avoid!

Persimmons (1 fruit) - Can form obstructive masses. Avoid!

Large servings of popcorn - One of the highest blockage risks. Too much salt. Hospital visit!

Mixed nuts (1 cup) - High risk of obstruction from hard particles. Hospital visit!