Eating: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Try eating new foods in small portions to see if you can handle them. Keep a journal on the foods that work for you and ones that don't. Writing down what you ate and how it made you feel will help you make better choices.
Liquids: Don't Wait to Hydrate
The best indicator of your hydration status is your urine colour. Pale, odourless urine usually indicates good hydration levels.2
There are no hard and fast rules about how much you should drink. Everyone will have different needs from one day to the next. It is recommended to drink around 6-8 glasses of fluid per day.3
Read more on staying hydrated whilst living with an ostomy
Meals: More is More
Eating smaller meals throughout the day may work better than larger meals. Eat your largest meal around midday to decrease the amount of stool output at night. And be sure to include protein!
Go Easy on the Gas4
It is important to know the effects that various foods will have on gas and odour output. The effects may differ for each person depending on surgery type and length/ function of the remaining bowel.

Certain foods are known to cause gas and odour for people living with an ostomy. To determine individual tolerance to foods, try new foods in small quantities. Remember to always chew thoroughly.

Some of the most common gas producing foods include:
- Alcohol
- Broccoli
- Chewing gum
- Spicy food
Gas and odor from diet will differ for each person. If you have concerns, speak to your healthcare provider.
Unpleasant Odours?
Diamonds™ Gelling Sachets with ActiveOne™ Odour Control can help solidify liquid contents and eliminate excess gas.
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Tips from our me+ community
In this video, Renee Welch documents her food shop and fajita making, choosing healthier options to suit her lifestyle with an ostomy.
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Renee Welch, @beautifullybroken_rw
Ostomy surgery took place in 2019
Renee has had moderate to severe Crohn's disease for over 25 years, which led to her ileostomy surgery. Her surgery was not an emergency, but her specialist informed her that her colon's scar tissue was concerning and may make it difficult to detect any colon cancer in the future. Before her ostomy, Renee was in severe pain every day, but now she is living life to the fullest with her stoma and sharing her story with her fans and friends on social media.
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1. Ostomy Diet & Nutrition. United Ostomy Associations of America. 2005-2023. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.ostomy.org/diet-nutrition/
2. Urine Colour Chart. NSW Health. January 29, 2024. Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/beattheheat/Pages/urine-colour-chart.aspx
3. Water, drinks and hydration. NHS Live Well . May 17, 2023. Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/water-drinks-nutrition/
4. Food Reference Chart for people with an Ostomy. United Ostomy Associations of America. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.ostomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Food_Reference_Chart_2022-02.pdf
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