Surgery is sometimes necessary to help eliminate stool in people with severe diseases that involve the colon. Two surgeries of this type are called ileostomy and colostomy. An ileostomy or colostomy results in an opening from the surface of the body to the intestines. This opening acts as a new exit for intestinal waste (stool). The new exit is called a stoma. A disposable bag is worn over the stoma to collect and discard the stool.

The ostomy diet is necessary to keep stools normal following surgery, because the amount, frequency, and consistency of stool will depend on foods eaten in the diet. Remember the following considerations:

1. No single diet works for everyone. Try new foods one at a time in small amounts. You will soon learn which foods to eat and which ones to avoid.
2. Odor is often a concern. It may be helpful to avoid foods that form gas or have strong odors (see table following).
3. Increase water intake to keep stools soft and prevent dehydration. Drink three more glasses of beverages a day than you drank before the operation.
4. Do not limit sodium intake.
5. Chew foods thoroughly to help digest them.
6. Foods with seeds or kernels may block the stoma and cause dehydration, therefore it may be necessary to avoid or eat fewer of these foods (see table following).
7. For mild constipation, increase fluids, especially fruit juices. Also, increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.
8. Gas is often due to swallowed air. This can happen while eating drinking, chewing gum, or using straws or from illness, pain, or nervousness. Eating slowly, and chewing with the mouth closed can decrease swallowed air.
9. Try having a smaller meal in the evening, this may reduce stool output at night.
10. Some foods, such as beets do not loose their color when digested. This color can show up in the feces. Don’t worry, this is not bleeding!

This diet is one that is tasty and nutritious, helps to keeps stools normal, and produces a minimum amount of odor and gas. Remember to try new foods one at a time in small amounts. The following guidelines will help you avoid foods that may be troublesome:

Foods that are more likely to cause gas/odor
Legumes	Lentils, baked beans, peas (split or black-eyed), soybeans, dried beans (kidney, lima, navy, garbanzo/chickpea).
Vegetables	Cabbage, brussel sprouts, corn, avocados, mushrooms, kohlrabi, sauerkraut, kale, broccoli, spinach, cucumbers, radishes, garlic, onions, asparagus, cauliflower, green peppers, rutabagas, artichokes.
Fruits	Honeydew melon, raisins, watermelon, cantaloupe, raw apples, prunes.
Dairy	Strong cheeses.
Meats	Fish, eggs.
Beverages	Beer, carbonated beverages.

Foods that may be helpful in reducing odor
Cranberry juice	Yogurt	Buttermilk

Foods which may cause diarrhea
cabbage	Raw fruits	Apple juice
Green beans	milk	Grape juice
broccoli	Fried foods	Prune juice
Highly-spiced foods	spinach
legumes	beer

Foods that thicken stools
Strained bananas	buttermilk	Applesauce
tapioca	Boiled, refined rice	Creamy peanut butter
Boiled milk	Yogurt

Sample Diet
Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
1 cup skim milk 2 slices white toast ½ cup canned pears 1 tsp margarine decaffeinated tea 1 tsp sugar	1 cup skim milk 3 oz broiled pork chop 1 cup cooked noodles 1 cup cooked carrots 2 tsp margarine decaffeinated coffee 1 tsp sugar	1 cup skim milk 1 cup chicken with rice soup 6 saltine crackers ½ cup canned peaches
AM Snack	PM Snack
1 strained banana 8 oz yogurt (without fruit)	1 slice white bread 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter ½ cup applesauce