{"id":3933,"date":"2022-05-14T02:01:22","date_gmt":"2022-05-14T02:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oncoalicia.com\/nutrition-during-the-treatment-of-colorectal-cancer\/ileostomy\/"},"modified":"2025-07-04T08:36:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T08:36:06","slug":"ileostomy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/oncoalicia.com\/en\/types-of-cancer\/colorectal\/ileostomy\/","title":{"rendered":"Dietary Recommendations After an Ileostomy in Colorrectal Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An ileostomy is when an opening is made in the small intestine through the stomach. In ileostomies, your stool is eliminated practically all day long and these are usually liquid (with a more yellowish colour) or have a porridge-like consistency, as they have not been able to pass through the large intestine properly (where water is absorbed, and the stools harden). In addition, they contain digestive enzymes which can irritate the skin around the stoma.
\n The normal amount of passed stools (also called output) is between 500 and 1,000 ml per day, which corresponds to about one or two half-full stoma bags (depending on the type of bags used).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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When the amount of passed stools is within these limits, the ileostomy is considered normal-functioning, and a low-fibre diet is recommended, whilst keeping an eye out for foods that stimulate bowel movement; use light cooking methods and low-fat and ensure adequate water intake.
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\n When the amount of passed stool is greater than 1.5 litres per day (3-4 bags per day) it is considered a high output ileostomy and a diet very low in fibre and foods that stimulate bowel movements, using low-fat and light cooking and adequate water intake is recommended.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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WHAT DO WE RECOMMEND?<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Eat calmly and chew food well. <\/i>
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Eat in a relaxed environment, keeping your mouth closed and chewing well to avoid excessive formation of gas and large bits of food coming out of the ostomy (chewing too little increases the risk of obstruction).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Eat at regular intervals. <\/i>
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Fasting or skipping meals increases the elimination of liquid stools and gas.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Avoid major weight changes. <\/i>
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This may interfere with the proper fit of the pouching plate.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Ensure good hydration. <\/i>
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Being an ileostomy carrier entails a higher risk of dehydration, as a daily volume of fluids and minerals are lost through the ostomy that would normally be reabsorbed in the colon. For losses of more than 1.5 l\/day, follow the recommendations for diarrhoea and make sure to keep well hydrated: drink water, isotonic drinks (with low sugar content) or oral saline, strained fruit juices, smoothies, or herbal teas frequently, but in small sips and preferably in between meals, so as not to confuse the texture of the stool after eating. Limit peristalsis-stimulating drinks (coffee, unstrained juice) and take rehydration drinks. Homemade jellies are also a good option to stay hydrated.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n Recommended drinks in case of elevated loss through the ileostomy\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\n recommended<\/b><\/p>\n
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  • Commercial oral serum<\/li>\n
  • Homemade oral serum<\/li>\n
  • Rice water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    In less quantity than the previous ones:<\/b><\/p>\n

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    • water<\/li>\n
    • Strained vegetable or chicken broth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n not recommended<\/b><\/p>\n