Advice about what to eat and drink with an ileostomy
Information for patients, families and carers
This leaflet includes information on diet and lifestyle for people who have an ileostomy (stoma) small bowel. It also has advice for those who may be supporting and caring for them.
We hope this leaflet answers some of the questions you may have. If you have any further questions or concerns, please speak to your stoma nurse or dietitian.
What is an ileostomy?
An ileostomy is where the end of your small bowel is brought through an opening made in your tummy. The opening is called a stoma.
You will no longer poo from your bottom. Poo will come out of the stoma into a pouch or bag you stick on your tummy.
Stomas are used as a treatment for several medical conditions. Conditions including cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Approximately 165,000 people have a stoma in the UK.
If I have an ileostomy, why is what I eat and drink important?
Foods and fluids can have an impact on:
an ileostomy's output volume and consistency
as well as symptoms.
The diet explained in this leaflet, outlines ways to resolve these issues. It also explains what and how you should eat in the first weeks following your surgery.
It is important to make sure you eat and drink well, as you are not using your large bowel.
If you have any questions about your diet and / or ileostomy, please speak to your stoma nurse or dietitian.
General advice for eating with a new Ileostomy
If possible, eat and drink as normal. If you can no longer tolerate a normal meal pattern, eat little and often. For example, eat smaller meals with snacks between meals.
Chew your food well.
Caffeine can increase the speed at which foods and fluids move through the bowel. Try drinking decaffeinated drinks instead.
Avoid fizzy drinks and artificial drinks. These drinks may cause wind, bloating, and / or diarrhoea (poo is loose / runny and watery).
Sip rather than gulp drinks. Sipping can help fluid absorption.
Avoid drinking large amounts of plain water (add squash). See How much should I be drinking? section below.
If your ileostomy output is high, add salt to your meals.
A healthy ileostomy output is between 700 and 1000 mls a day.
If your ileostomy output is less than 1 litre in 24 hours, drink freely but do not drink more than 2 litres of fluid a day.
If your ileostomy output is more than 1.2 litres in 24 hours, please speak with your stoma nurse or dietitian.
Dietary advice for after your surgery
Following the formation of your ileostomy, follow a low-fibre diet for 6 to 8 weeks after your surgery. This allows your gut to heal and any swelling to settle. The following advice must only be followed for a short period of time following your surgery.
Fibre is a complex indigestible carbohydrate found in plant foods. The table below list foods low in fibre (see the Foods to have column).
| Food groups | Foods to have | Foods to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Breads and Crackers | white bread and rolls; English muffins; crumpets; waffles; pancakes; scones; white crackers (such as cream crackers, water biscuits, matzo crackers) | wholemeal flour; wholegrain, granary, or seeded bread; bread produces with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit; wholemeal crackers (for example Ryvita) |
| Breakfast Cereals | Cornflakes; Frosted Flakes; Rice Krispies; Puffed Wheat; oat based cereal; porridge | Bran-based cereals (for example All Bran and Bran Flakes); wholewheat cereals (for example Shreddies, Shredded Wheat, Weetabix); cereals containing fruit, nuts, granola or muesli; Crunchy Nut Flakes |
| Carbohydrates | white rice; white pasta; noodles; potatoes without skins and boiled; mashed sweet potatoes; couscous; bulgar wheat; tapioca; polenta | brown rice; wholemeal pasta / noodles; wholegrains; quinoa; pearl barley; skins on jacket potatoes |
| Vegetables / Salads (aim for 2 portions a day) | most well-cooked soft vegetables / mashable without skins; vegetable based soup; broccoli; cauliflower; root vegetables | raw and lightly cooked vegetables; tomato seeds / skins; husks / sweetcorn / peas; celery; high fibre vegetables (for example mushrooms, spinach, cabbage); beans; pulses |
| Fruit (aim for 1 portion a day) | soft / ripe peeled fruit without seeds, pips or stalks; bananas; peaches; apples; plums; most tinned fruit; cooked fruits | citrus fruit; berries (for example strawberries, blackberries); prunes; dried fruit; fruit juice with bits; smoothies that contain whole blended fruits |
| Nuts and Seeds | smooth nut butters (peanut and almond flavours) | all nuts, seeds, coconuts, crunchy peanut butter |
| Meat and Fish | poultry; fish; eggs; Quorn | tough gristly meat |
What should I eat and drink after 6 to 8 weeks?
After 6 to 8 weeks, start reintroducing some fibre back into your diet. Introduce small portions of higher fibre foods, and increase gradually.
Occasionally, high fibre foods can contribute to a high output ileostomy (more than 1.2 litres a day). This is linked to not drinking enough fluids and not having enough salt in your diet. If this is an issue:
continue the low fibre advice for longer; and
introduce higher fibre foods more gradually, one at a time.
By introducing high fibre food slowly, you can assess your tolerance. Please note that not all patients can return to high fibre foods after their ileostomy.
How much should I be drinking?
Ileostomies can be linked with high losses of fluid and salt, which can lead to chronic (long-term) dehydration. To avoid this and improve your hydration:
Aim to drink 8 to 10 cups of fluid per day (no more than 2 litres). Avoid drinking large amounts of plain water (add squash).
Try isotonic sports drinks (such as Lucozade Sport Drink and Powerade) or oral rehydration solutions (such as Dioralyte). These contain extra salts that water does not.
Please speak to your stoma nurse or GP, if you:
you are concerned that your ileostomy output may be high; or
you have any of the symptoms listed below.
What are the signs and symptoms of a high output ileostomy?
Watery ileostomy output.
Changing / emptying your ileostomy bag more often than usual.
Leaking of ileostomy bags.
Becoming dizzy when standing up; this can be related to low blood pressure.
Having a dry and sticky mouth.
Sunken eyes.
Passing a reduced volume of urine (pee). This may be dark in colour and strong smelling.
Headaches, lack of energy, tiredness, and feeling low in mood.
Cramps in your hands and feet.
If you have any of these symptoms, please call your stoma nurse or GP.
Hints and tips
The following ileostomy issues have been linked with some foods.
Try cutting-out the food below for a short while (for example 1 week), and see how you feel. Re-introduce the foods if you notice no difference.
Food and drink that can cause gas / bloating
asparagus
alcohol
broccoli
Brussels sprouts
cabbage
carbonated (fizzy) drinks
cauliflower
corn-dried beans and peas
Food and drink that can prevent odour
buttermilk
kefir
parsley
yoghurt
Food and drink that can cause loose stools (poo)
alcohol
bran
broccoli
Brussels sprouts
cabbage
caffeinated drinks
spicy or fatty foods
artificial sweetener
Foods that can cause blockages / obstructions (avoid these foods for the first 6 to 8 weeks)
apple skin
bean sprouts
cabbage
corn
green peppers
mushrooms
peas
popcorn
seeds and nuts
Foods that can thicken stool (poo) output
oatmeal / porridge
gelatine containing foods, such as jelly babies and marshmallows
applesauce
bananas
boiled white rice
creamy nut butter, such as smooth peanut butter
If you are diabetic, you may wish to avoid some of the foods that are higher in simple sugars.
Consider using a food diary if your symptoms continue. For more information, please speak to you stoma nurse.
Contact details
Stoma Department
William Harvey Hospital
Kennington Rd, Willesborough,
Ashford, Kent
TN24 0LZQueen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital
St Peters Rd
Margate
CT9 4ANOpening hours
Monday to Wednesday 8am to 6pm
Thursday and Friday 8am to 5.30pm
Saturday 8am to 4pm
Telephone: 01233 616646 (all hospitals)
Further information
[Website last accessed 11 February 2026]
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