Ileostomy output

Hi

Di you think you have a high output Ileostomy that you need to slow down your output.

What you should remember we are all different in our make up and certain foods that slow down your input could have a different effect on someone else.

But here goes

Foods that possibly slow down your output consist of

Foods containing gelatine e.g. fruit gums, jelly, marshmallows, jelly babies.
Stewed apple.
Pectin (used for making jam).
Other foods: Eggs, cheese, milk, yoghurt, puddings, one banana/day and smooth peanut butter. Mashed potatoes, Tapioca, Pasta and Rice

For me a good helping of chippy fish and chips really thickens up my output

Foods to avoid which loosen output
Raw fruits and fresh fruit juices.
Raw vegetables.
Spicy foods e.g. curry.
Fried and fatty foods.
Leafy green vegetables.
Some sweeteners e.g. sorbitol have a laxative effect.

Remember to avoid fluids while you are eating as this increases the rate that food passes through the digestive tract. Sip rather than gulp fluids and eat slowly, chewing food properly.

Always maintain your fluid levels up especially if you are having high output as you need to keep replacing fluids that are lost because you have a Ileostomy. Salt is something else you need to watch and keep topping up, a good source of salt is a packet of crisps per day.

It is a good idea to keep a food diary recording everything you eat and how it effects you i.e. your output then you can play about with your food sorry mean vary your food that you feel might help you slow down your output.

You can try Immodium/Loperamide to slow down your output suggest having a word with your stoma care nurse and or your GP as they can let you know if you can take a higher dose than the recommended dose that comes in the box.

Having an ileostomy is not an exact science and everything we do is trial and error in finding solutions to our problems and most are resolved by reading answers from other ostomates and taking a bit of each others advice and adapting to suit out own needs.

Come back if you need to discuss this or anything else to your stoma, I will always try to help at anytime.

Ian

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply. Some I was aware of and others I wasn't...so it looks like fish and chips are back on the menu. Yes, loperamide is part of my daily routine too. I was definitely interested in slowing output, whilst using healthy foodstuffs. I have also incorporated fruit smoothies into my diet, which work for me.

Many thanks again