Information about what to eat with an ileostomy

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Who is this information for?

This information is on diet and lifestyle for patients who have an ileostomy (stoma). Stomas are surgically created openings made on the abdomen to divert bowel waste and are used as a treatment for a number of medical conditions including cancer, diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Approximately 1 in 500 people have a stoma in the UK .

Foods and fluids can have an impact on stoma output volume and consistency as well as symptoms. This diet page discusses strategies to resolve these issues as well as how to eat in the initial weeks following your surgery. It is also important to ensure you remain well nourished and hydrated without the function of your large bowel due to ileostomy formation.

If you have any further questions relating to your diet and ileostomy please speak with a dietitian or a stoma nurse.

General advice for eating with a new ileostomy

• Eat little and often, with smaller meals with snacks between meals), if you can no longer tolerate a normal meal pattern
• Chew your food well
• Caffeine can increase the speed at which foods and fluids move through the bowel. Consider choosing decaffeinated drinks
• Fizzy drinks and artificially sweetened drinks may cause wind or bloating or diarrhoea
• Sip rather than gulp fluids as this can aid fluid absorption
• Add salt to your meals
• A healthy ileostomy output is between 700 to 1000 ml/day. If your stoma output is less than 1 litre in 24 hours drink freely but do not exceed 2 litres of fluid a day. Avoid drinking large amounts of plain water
• If you have a high stoma output, more than 1.5 litres per 24 hours you will need to speak with a healthcare professional. Also see section on fluid hydration

Dietary advice following your surgery

Following the formation of your ileostomy it is recommended to follow a low fibre diet initially (between 4 to 6 weeks). This allows your gut to heal and any swelling to settle. This advice is only to be followed for a short period of time following your surgery.

Fibre is a complex indigestible carbohydrate found in plant foods. The following tables identify foods lower in fibre (foods to choose column).

Food Groups

Moving on

After 4 to 6 weeks start reintroducing some fibre back into your diet. Consider introducing small portions of higher fibre foods and increase gradually to tolerance.

Occasionally high fibre foods can contribute to a high output stoma (more than 1.5 litres per day). This is associated with dehydration and salt deficiency. If this is an issue, continue the low fibre advice for longer and introduce higher fibre foods more gradually and one at a time to assess tolerance.

Fluid and hydration

Ileostomies can be associated with high fluid and salt losses and can lead to chronic dehydration. To avoid this aim for 8 to 10 cups of fluid per day (max 2 litres) and consider isotonic sports drinks (lucozade, powerade) or oral rehy-dration solutions (dioralyte) to improve hydration as they contain extra salts that water does not. If you are concerned that your stoma output may be high or have the symptoms below discuss with a healthcare professional including your GP, Dietitian or Stoma Nurse.

Promoting stoma health

The following stoma issues have been associated with some foods. Consider eliminating the foods discussed below for a short while (around 1 week) and assess response. Reintroduce the eliminated foods if no difference is observed.

If you are diabetic you may wish to avoid some of the foods mentioned that are higher in simple sugars.

Consider using a food diary if symptoms persist.

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