Nutrition

The Best Sandwich I Ever Ate: Reflections on Food After Ostomy Surgery

The first thing I ate after coming home from the hospital was a simple roast beef sandwich, just one half, with a swipe of mayonnaise. But to me, it was a feast. I had been so sick for so long that I was dreaming of food. Even now, if I’m asked what the best meal of my life is, that’s the one I name.

I grew up in a strict but loving Christian home. My father was a pastor, and my mother was deeply involved in our church community. During my hospitalization, the church family surrounded us with prayers, support, and food. Sarah Tidwell had made an enormous roast for us while I was still in the hospital. Once I got home, my mom made me that roast beef sandwich from those leftovers, and it marked a moment of healing and hope.

Today, I don’t have many dietary restrictions, but that wasn’t always the case. In this blog, I’ll share practical tips about eating with an ostomy, starting with the ileostomy patient. I’ll also share more about diet and weight changes in a future post (oh, the joys and sorrows of dieting!).

What Can I Eat With an Ostomy?

One of the most common and immediate questions I hear from new ostomy patients is, “What foods should I avoid?” This concern is widespread among ileostomy patients, but anyone with a new ostomy wonders how their diet might change.

Let’s start with some basics, especially for those with an ileostomy.

Understanding Digestion Without a Colon

If you have an ileostomy, your colon (large intestine) has either been removed or bypassed. One of the colon’s main jobs is absorbing water; essentially, it “drinks” for you. Without it, your small intestine will eventually adapt, but staying well-hydrated becomes a daily priority.

Pro Tip:

A great rule of thumb is to drink a hydrating beverage every time you empty your pouch. On days of high output, such as during a stomach bug or food intolerance, drink electrolyte-replacement fluids like Gatorade a couple of times during the day and night to stay hydrated.

Avoiding Blockages: Start Slow, Chew Well

After surgery, the small intestine is more vulnerable to blockages for a few reasons:

• It has a smaller diameter than the colon
• The stoma is pulled through the abdominal muscle
• It’s adjusting to its new role in your digestion

In the Early Weeks Post-Op:

Start with soft, bland foods, such as soups, crackers, Jell-O, and baked (not fried) options. Give your gut time to heal before you dive into pizza or a burrito.

Introducing High-Fiber Foods:

Be cautious with insoluble fibers like:

• Raw root vegetables
• Popcorn
• Nuts

Introduce them one at a time, in small portions, and chew thoroughly.

The Hardest Advice to Follow: Chew, Chew, Chew

If you take away one piece of advice, let it be this: chew your food until it’s pureed. I still struggle with this, even years later. When I eat something fibrous, I cut it into smaller pieces and chew with intention. It makes all the difference.

For Colostomy and Urostomy Patients

If you have a colostomy, urostomy, or both, your experience will be a little different. I’ll dedicate a separate blog post to your specific dietary considerations soon. You deserve guidance that matches your unique needs. Until then, click here for information on diet with a colostomy or urostomy.

Trusted Nutrition Resources

For detailed nutritional guidelines, I highly recommend visiting Ostomy.org. It’s a fantastic resource for ostomates at all stages, whether you’re newly recovering or navigating long-term living with an ostomy.

Stay tuned for more blog posts where we’ll dig deeper into specific diets, meal planning, and how to enjoy food again because, yes, you can still eat the foods you love.

I hope this helps 🙂

Please leave me a comment or suggestions for new topics you would like to learn more about.