In moderation, most foods need not be avoided. If you have any questions about food and the way your body reacts to it, consult your doctor. Here are some common foods and hints on how to enjoy them without causing excessive gas, irritation or stoma blockage.
Fibrous vegetables - Vegetables like celery, asparagus and broccoli have long, fibrous strands running through them. Onions can produce odors in the stool. Such strands are hard to digest and can form a "ball" behind the stoma. When eating celery choose the hearts. These are tender and the fibers are not as thick as those on the outside stalk are. If you must eat the other stalk, peel down the outside strands. Always chew, chew, chew and drink lots of water.
Asparagus - Medium stalks are usually the most tender. Start at the tip and work down. As soon as the spear gets tough to cut, go down to the next one and you should have no blockage concerns. Asparagus causes odor in the urine, which may be a bit bothersome to a person with a urostomy.
Brocolli - the same principal applies as to asparagus. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and turnips are considered "gas producers" and may require an extra trip to the restroom to relieve the pressure. However, they are worth the trip.
Fresh fruit - in moderation, fresh fruit can and should be included in a well-balanced diet. If you have trouble digesting oranges and grapefruit, then try squeezing the juice and discarding the skin. Apples, pears and peaches are great without their skins if you find them hard to digest. Fruit is a natural cathartic. Keep this in mind when you are eating a picnic or the beach or anywhere bathroom facilities are not readily available.
Oysters, clams and mussels - though delicious treats, mollusks can be more difficult to digest than other types of seafood and can cause a minor blockage behind the stoma. Be sure to chew them well, and avoid tough mussels the major offenders. Seafood of all kinds can cause odor in the stool. Pouch deodorants are most helpful in controlling this problem.
Nuts - the most difficult nuts are the hard ones, such as peanuts, almonds and hazelnuts. Chew them well, and be careful not to overindulge, no more than a handful at a setting. Even non-ostomate nut-lovers can experience discomfort after enjoying more than a reasonable share of nuts.
Meat - most meat and poultry do not present any concern, however, those with fat content or heavy casings can be somewhat more difficult for the bowel to handle. Try sausage patties instead of links or hot dogs with the skin removed. When eating fatty cuts of pork, lamb or beef, cut it into small pieces, do not eat the gristle, chew well and limit your intake.
Corn on the cob, popcorn, dried foods and coconut - When it comes to obstruction behind the stoma, these are the major offenders. In fact, even people without ostomies can suffer major tummy aches after indulging. Chew, chew, chew and remember to limit your intake.
Spices and carbonation - heavily spiced foods and sauces can act as cathartics for people and can produce gas. Carbonated beverages are gas producers, too. One great way to get the bubbles out of the carbonated drinks is with a dash of sugar. It will cause a frenzy of fizz and leave the beverage safely flat.
