Diet for Colostomy bag

Hi JBJ

Thanks for getting in touch. Welcome to the online community.

My name is Paula and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line

I hope you’re feeling well post-surgery and managing your colostomy without any problems.

We would generally recommend a having healthy balanced diet. However, after having a stoma this can sometimes be difficult at the beginning. Initially, the things you enjoyed before might upset you and also effect the output of your stoma.

If this occurs it might be worth leaving those foods out of your diet and try them again a few weeks later. Keeping a stoma diary can be helpful to identify the foods that agree with you and those which don’t.

With regards to the specifics you’re asking about, these can all be eaten but you should note their effects on you and your stoma. However nuts can possibly contribute to a food blockage.

Colostomy UK have healthy eating guidance which you might find helpful to look at as well as general tips. They also have a cookbook which is a free download.

It may be worth talking to your stoma nurse or a dietician for further support as they are in an ideal position to support you more.  

I can see you have joined the bowel cancer stoma forums. You may find it helpful to share your experiences with others.

I hope this information is helpful, please don’t hesitate to get back in touch if there is anything else, we can help you with.

Best wishes

Ref: SF