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This page deals with food and eating.
Your doctor has told you you need ostomy surgery, or maybe you've had an ostomy for a little while, and you've got questions! Who do you ask? Where do you turn? No problem, I've got ya covered! Speaking from my personal experience and several years of talking to kids, teens and older folks, I've got the scoop on how to deal with just about any situation.
My name is Courtney Francoeur, I'm 20 years old and in my second year as a psychology major at the University of Western Ontario in London. On March 3, 1999, at the age of 15, I had to have a subtotal colectomy with a temporary ileostomy because of Ulcerative Colitis. My journey continues in May of 2004 when I'll have my ileostomy reversed into a J-pouch. Through experience, a positive attitude and appreciation for life, through trial and error, and by talking to other people, I learned how to cope and succeed with my ostomy, and I'd like to pass along some of my advice.
How to Reach Me
If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me either by email at
or by posting a note to me in the discussion forum. If you post your note in the discussion forum, people all over the world will also get the chance to benefit from your question. But if you don't feel comfortable posting it to the public, just email me personally. I check my email and the discussion board almost daily, so you'll get a quick response. Can't wait to chat. Best wishes and remember ... never keep your poop to yourself! 
Hi! My name is Nicole Dodds. I'm 12 years old and in Grade 7. On June 26, 2003, at the age of 11, I had to have an ileostomy because of Crohn's Disease and Ulcera- tive Colitis. If you like, you can learn more about me and my journey by reading my personal story, which can be found in the Young Ostomates section of this site.
Through personal experience and the support of my family, I learned how to cope and succeed with my ostomy, and I'd like to pass along some of my advice. On April 24, 2004, I became a certified visitor in LDOA's Patient Visiting Program, and I look forward to helping kids who are new or about-to-be ostomates adjust to this new stage in life.
• FAQ added February 10, 2004
• FAQ updated April 24, 2004
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What foods can I eat? |
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Courtney • My best advice would be to follow your doctor's recommendations. Most people with ostomies go back to a normal diet and avoid foods that tend to cause blockages or that don't digest very well (every person is unique and so is their diet). After your surgery, you should do what I call a two-day trial. Try a new food or one that previously bothered you in a small portion. Then wait two days to see if that food bothers your system. Only add one new food type at a time or you'll get them confused. Try to avoid nuts and foods with tough skins on them.
Nicole • You can eat whatever your little heart desires! However, some foods, such as popcorn, can’t be an every day meal. With foods you are unsure about, you should try the 2-day trial that Courtney described above.    |
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What are the best fruits and vegetables to eat? |
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Courtney • Whatever your body can digest is the best. Each person is unique and needs to figure out for themselves what fruits and veggies will or won't cause problems for them. Oranges, grapes, broccoli and corn are a few very common offenders in causing blockages (see the section regarding blockages for more info).
Nicole • No particular fruits or vegetables would be worse than others. Some give more smelly gas than others, but there is nothing wrong with eating, or at least trying, all of them. |
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What foods cause urine odour? |
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Nicole • Foods that cause urine odour include: asparagus, fish, spices and yogurt. |
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What gassy foods should I stay away from? |
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Courtney • I suggest you stay away from too much pop, beans, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.
Nicole • Gassy foods for me include beans, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, dairy products, mushrooms, onions, and carbonated beverages. That doesn’t mean you can’t eat any of these, just know that doing so could have gassy repercussions! |
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What foods am I better off eating every few days? |
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Courtney • I repeat – skins and nuts, stringy stuff and chewy stuff! I suggest the two-day trial of foods I mentioned in the first question to understand how your "new" body will react to certain foods. I was so limited in my diet before I had surgery. Now I eat almost everything! No more diets for me – yay! (I just watch the skins. LOL)
Nicole • Popcorn – even though it is one of my favourite snacks. |
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How often should I eat? |
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Courtney • I suggest eating smaller amounts more often. Instead of three meals a day, have four smaller meals and some snacks inbetween. That way, your pouch doesn’t fill up too much too fast and you'll maintain a better pattern of digestion. I would also suggest not eating much about an hour and a half before bed time, especially if you are a light sleeper! By not eating just before you go to sleep, your bag will remain somewhat empty throughout the night. |
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How do I try food without knowing if my stomach agrees? |
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Courtney • Two day trial! It's the best way to find out what foods bother you. Eat a small amount of the food you're unsure of on the first day and wait that day and the entire next day to see if the food bothers you. Don’t try more than one experi- mental food at a time. If there are no signs of the food bothering you, then add a little more the next time you try it and see if the outcome changes. If not, then that food should be OK for you to eat. |
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Do I have to lessen my appetite? |
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Courtney • Nope, although smaller portions are better for you and won't fill your pouch as much. I suggest lessening your appetite in the evening so your pouch doesn’t get too full while you sleep. But remember, your water intake has to increase.
Nicole • No, you don’t have to lessen your appetite or diet at all. Just be aware of what you eat and how much of it you eat, and make wise decisions about your food choices. |
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How often should I drink? |
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Courtney • Now this can become an issue. With an ileostomy, you become dehydrated faster. I always try to keep my handy-dandy water bottle with me. Naturally, you'll be more thirsty because you'll lose water faster – your large intestine used to take out all the liquids, but now it isn’t there to do that. If you're working out or playing sports, drink lots! And make sure you drink a lot every day. |
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Can I drink alcohol? |
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Courtney • Yes, you can – if you are the legal drinking age! Alcohol is digested by your liver not your intestines, although it will stimulate digestive juices and make your food digest faster and make you hungry sooner.
Nicole • Hey, I'm only 12. I'll let Courtney handle this one! |
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