Living with a Stoma

Nutritional Guide
Day to day life with a stoma presents many challenges
but food doesn’t have to be one of them

Expert advice from a registered

NHS dietitian
working with

www.fittleworth.com #fittleworthfit
Introduction

Fittleworth has worked in partnership

with Laura Coster BSc (Hons), HCPC
Registered, mBDA to create this
nutritional guide.

Laura is an NHS and private practice

Dietitian who sees patients one-to-
one, and presents nutrition workshops
around the UK for companies and
charities. She has held four senior
Dietitian posts in the NHS and has
considerable experience working with
patients who have undergone stoma-
formation surgery.

The information provided is intended for guidance alongside

any professional medical advice from your healthcare team, and
is not a substitute for any tailored advice you are given. The
advice given here covers the main dietary queries of those with
stomas/ostomies and includes urostomies, jejunostomies,
ileostomies and colostomies.

There are multiple types of stoma and sometimes people need to

adjust their diet, in the short term or for longer. Remember that
not everyone with a stoma needs to change the way that they eat
and drink. It is always best to discuss with your Doctor, Specialist
Nurse or a Registered Dietitian before making dietary changes.
Contents

4-5 General stoma type info

6-7 Urine production & bowel movements
8-9 Eating after your operation
10-11 Protein
12-13 Starchy carbohydrates
14-15 Dairy
16-17 Fruit & vegetables
18-19 Fluids & salt
20-23 Sugar, fat & alcohol
24-25 Possible Irritants
26-27 Lifestyle
28-29 Meal plans
30-31 Maximising nutrition
32-34 Meal plans
35-38 FAQs
39 Sources of support

At the time of writing, all information was based

on current guidelines and evidence-based best
practice - April 2019
 GENERAL STOMA TYPE INTRO

General stoma type intro

This information is for anyone with, or cares for

someone with, any type of stoma.
This advice covers nutrition both recently after and in the longer-term after surgery,
as well as hydration and common difficulties people face like leaking bags or over-
inflation. Care has been taken to make each section clear about which stoma the
advice is for, however these next 2 paragraphs can help you successfully navigate
this information.

Ileostomies, Colostomies and Jejunostomies –

There are many bowel stomas including jejunostomies,
ileostomies and colostomies. The ‘higher’ your stoma is in your
bowel, or the more bowel you have before your stoma, the
more time your gut has to absorb liquid and cope with irritants
and fibre; therefore someone with a colostomy will likely be
able to tolerate more fibre and caffeine etc. than someone
with an ileostomy. For those with ileostomies and colostomies,
for the first 6-8 weeks after surgery you will be asked to follow
a low fibre and irritant diet (pages 24-26) to help you heal.
After this time, you can gradually increase the amount of fibre
and potential irritants in your diet such as fruits, vegetables,
wholegrains, spices and caffeine. Everyone’s tolerance to
fibre and irritants differs and some will manage more than
others, it can take up to 12 months for your gut to adapt
to its full absorption capacity and tolerance. For those with
jejunostomies and a ‘short bowel’ you will likely always need
to have a low fibre and low irritant diet, you may also have a
maximum fluid allowance e.g. 1L/day. This information will be
somewhat helpful, however you will need extra guidance from
your specialist medical professional such as surgeon, specialist
stoma nurse or dietitian.

4
Urostomies –
Those who’ve had a urostomy are unlikely to need to change
their diet because usually the bowel has not been operated
on, however some people may have an ileal conduit which
involved surgery on their large bowel/colon. There is no strong
clinical-evidence that a reduced fibre or special diet is needed
after ileal conduit surgery, however your Doctor may ask you
to have a low-fibre diet up to 4 weeks after surgery to help
with healing. After this time, you should aim to include higher
fibre options throughout the day to help keep your bowel
movements soft and regular and to not cause pressure on your
conduit and urostomy. All of the information is likely to be
helpful for you, except for the parts that specifically mentions
bowel stomas as this does not include ileal conduit urostomies.

5
 URINE PRODUCTION & BOWEL MOVEMENTS

Urine production

Approximately 800-2000ml of urine a day is

normal; the urine produced soon after waking is
usually darker yellow, otherwise the urine should be
coloured 1-3 according to the urine colour chart:

HEALTHY 1 2 3
PEE:

DRINK
4 5 6 7 8
MORE:

Colour changes In the first few weeks after urostomy surgery, you will
can be related learn what is a normal urine volume for you. Changing
volumes of urination can be related to diet and lifestyle
to food e.g. factors.
red colouring
from beetroot.

6
Bowel movements

Usually, 4 regular stoma pouches’ worth of stool, with a brown colour is normal.
Colour changes can be related to food e.g. red colouring from beetroot. The stool
texture will vary depending on the type of procedure you have had:

Type 1 Type 5
Separate hard lumps Soft blobs with clear
like nuts (hard to pass) cut edges (passed easily)

Type 2 Type 6
Sausage-shaped Fluffy pieces with ragged
but lumpy edges, a mushy stool

Type 3 Type 7
Like a sausage but with Watery, no solid pieces,
cracks in its surface entirely liquid

Type 4 Type 3-5 is normal for a colostomy

Like a sausage or a snake, Type 5-6 is normal for an ileostomy
smooth and soft
Type 6-7 is normal for a jejunostomy

What comes Over 1500ml of liquid stool is considered “high-

out of a stoma output”. This most frequently happens in the first
6-8 weeks (sometimes up to 6-12 months) after
is often an ileostomy (or jejunostomy), and usually requires
referred to as temporary dietary changes such as reducing fibre and
“stoma output” possible bowel irritants in the diet. Special guidance is
sometimes needed on fluids as well as medications.
Any sudden changes in texture, volume or colour of
your stoma output should be discussed with your
Doctor while in hospital, or GP or Specialist Nurse once
you’re home.

7
 EATING AFTER YOUR OPERATION

Eating after your operation

After surgery, your healthcare team want you

to be able to eat well as soon as possible.
After your surgery, you probably went This advice will help support you through
through the “nil by mouth” stage, then the those worries, and provide some guidance
“clear fluids”, “free fluids” and “soup and on the best way to approach food and
sweet” before being told you were on a nutrition in the time immediately after your
“light diet” and had a limited choice from operation and into the future.
the hospital menu. Once out of hospital,
you get to enjoy home-cooking and some
takeaways, but there can be worries
whether you are eating and drinking “the
right thing”.

Timings
The typical person will need 2000 calories
(female) or 2500 calories (male) a day.
Spreading meals is an easier way to
eat than having 1 or 2 large portions of
food because it can stop you becoming
too full. More importantly, it means the
gastrointestinal (GI) system has less bulk
to deal with at once. After surgery, some
people have reduced appetites and can
find it hard to eat as much as they normally
could. Eating little and often is a useful
technique after surgery to ensure regular
nutrition that supports healing.
When we eat, the muscles contract
along the GI system and move food and
fluid along, therefore eating regularly
helps move the nutrition along and can
reduce the risk of blockages. Eating 3
8
small-to-medium sized meals and 2-3
snacks a day is an easy and well-tolerated
eating structure after surgery. There is no
set time that is recommended between
meals and snacks, but food can take 1-4
hours to leave the stomach and hunger
levels vary depending on many factors.
Having something to eat, roughly, every
2-4 hours will suit most people; a typical
day may look like:
~8am: Breakfast
~10am: Snack
~1pm: Lunch
~3pm: Snack
~7-8pm: Dinner
~9-10pm: Snack
Meal structure / healthy eating:

Our bodies are fuelled by macronutrients variety of macro- and micro-nutrients.

(carbohydrates, proteins and fats) along What we include in our meals is important
with micronutrients (vitamins, minerals to support good recovery post-surgery and
and trace elements). The meals we eat overall health in the long-term.
include different foods that contain a

Check the label on

Eatwell Guide
packaged foods Use the Eatwell Guide to help you get a balance of healthier and more sustainable food.
Each serving (150g) contains It shows how much of what you eat overall should come from each food group.
6-8
Fat Saturates Sugars Salt
Energy
Choos a day
3.0g 1.3g 34g 0.9g
y day
1046kJ
e wh
ever
250kcal
LOW LOW HIGH MED oleg
les rain
13% 4% 7% 38% 15%
tab Pota or h
of an adult’s reference intake vege toes
, br
igh
er Water, lower fat
d
Typical values (as sold) per 100g: 697kJ/ 167kcal
it an ead
, ri
fib
re milk, sugar-free
Choose foods lower fru Raisins ce ve drinks including
of s ,p rsi
in fat, salt and sugars ty ble as
ta on tea and coffee
arie g e ta a s
nd w all count.
v ve
Potatoes
ot Limit fruit juice
ith

d
a
of

and/or smoothies
n

les
he
ta
ns

rs

to a total of
sa
ui
rtio

ta
Fr

150ml a day.
dd
rch
po

Chopped
ed

t omatoe s
yc
t5

fat,
arb
leas

Whole
salt
ohy

grain Cous
Eat at

cereal Cous
drate

and su
s

Frozen Bagels
gar

peas Whole
wheat
pasta
Porridge
Rice
Lentils

Beans
lower
salt
and
L o w f at
s o f t ch e es e Spaghetti
s ugar
Tuna
n
Plain Leaince
Chick m
nuts peas Veg
O il
Semi
skimmed Soya Lower fat d
sprea
Crisps milk drink Plain
Low fat
y o g hu r t

Sauce Be s
an Oil & spreads
s, p tive
Ea ulse rna
so t mor s, fis alte
h, eg
Dairy
and t and Choose unsaturated oils
red urced e beans gs, mea
t and other proteins r fa
we tions and use in small amounts
and fish and p se lo
proc pe r ulses, 2 Choo ugar op
esse week, one o portions of sustainably lower
s
Eat less often and d mea f which is oily. Eat less
t
in small amounts
Per day 2000kcal 2500kcal = ALL FOOD + ALL DRINKS

Source: Public Health England in association with the Welsh Government, Food Standards Scotland and the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland © Crown copyright 2016

9
 PROTEIN

Protein-based foods

These foods
contain amino
acids, which
are the building
blocks of
our body.

Amino acids make our Examples of protein

cells, our muscles and foods include:
our enzymes that help us
digest food. Foods high in 1) Meat
protein also contain iron 2) Poultry
(for healthy red-blood cells 3) Eggs
and energy levels), zinc 4) Vegetarian
(for healing, but also our equivalents like tofu,
immune system) and can tempeh or textured
provide B12 (for healthy vegetable protein, for
nerves, blood cells and example soya mince
energy levels). Each meal or mycoprotein
should contain a protein- e.g. Quorn®
based food and people 5) Dairy and its
typically need 2-3 servings alternatives
a day, although if you are 6) Beans, lentils and
vegetarian or vegan then pulses, but these are
you may need more. also high in fibre.

10
Protein-based Important Note: *This guidance is related
standard portions: to understanding how to select the correct
portion sizes. There are some foods that
we have included that may not be suitable
depending on your personal situation.
For example, nuts are often not suitable
for those with an ileostomy. For more
information on how to approach these
problem foods, refer to the fibre and
irritant table on pages 24-25.

FOOD HANDY MEASURE APPROX. WEIGHT

Beef, pork, lamb 3 lean slices, or ~100-120g cooked

the size of a deck of cards

Chicken/turkey 4 lean slices of chicken ~120-50g cooked

A medium sized
chicken breast.

Sausages 2-3 standard size sausages ~120-180g uncooked

Minced meat/*soya Meat - The size of a deck

or other mince of cards. ~100g cooked
Non-meat, e.g. Quorn® –
2 decks of cards

Fish A medium fillet of ~120g uncooked

salmon, tuna, white fish,
plain or coated e.g.crumbs
or batter,
3-4 fish fingers ~150g cooked
1 standard can or ~70g
½ a large can

Eggs 2 medium eggs ~65g per egg

*Beans, lentils or other 5-6 tablespoons, or ~110-150g cooked

pulses (or other pulses) ½ a standard can

Hummus ¼ of an average tub ~50-60g

Tofu ½ a block ~200g uncooked

*Nuts or seeds (whole, 1 heaped tablespoon ~30-40g

milled or as a spread)
11
 STARCHY CARBOHYDRATES

Starchy carbohydrates

These foods contain starch, which our body digests

into glucose (sugar); glucose is our body’s preferred
source of energy. Compared to eating sugar, starchy
carbohydrates release sugar into our blood slowly
which helps control our blood sugar levels, while
making us feel satisfied from meals.

These foods also contain micronutrients such as

B vitamins (helps the body turn the glucose into
energy), calcium (strengthens our bones), iron (for
healthy red-blood cells and energy levels) and can
contain fibre.

Starchy carbohydrates can be either

high or low in fibre e.g. wholemeal
vs. white bread.

12
Starchy carbohydrate
standard portions:

FOOD HANDY MEASURE APPROX. WEIGHT

Potatoes 3 medium egg-sized boiled ~150-200g uncooked

(white and sweet) or roasted potatoes

5 new potatoes ~150-200g uncooked

A medium jacket potato ~250g uncooked

(fist-sized)

Rice Find a cup that holds about ~50-75g dry

this amount

Pasta Find a mug or jug that ~75-110g dry

holds the right amount of
your favourite pasta

Spaghetti A bunch the size of a £1 ~75-110g dry

coin this amount

Couscous/Quinoa Find a cup that holds about ~45-75g dry

type grains this amount

Bread 2 medium cut slices, ~75-90g per slice of bread

large loaf

A standard oval pitta

~60-90g per pitta,
roll or bagel
Bread roll or bagel

Cereal, *muesli and oats 3 small handfulls ~30-50g

TIP: *Higher fibre options like brown

bread, oats or muesli can thin or thicken
stoma outputs, for the first 6-8 weeks
after surgery you will likely need low fibre
options then can gradually increase the
amount of higher fibre choices you eat.

13
 DAIRY
Dairy & its alternatives
Dairy and its alternatives
are usually high in
calcium, which is needed
to strengthen our bones,
but is also important for
muscle health.
Approximately 3 servings of dairy foods a
day, as part of a well-balanced diet, will
provide an adult’s daily calcium. Unless
someone is trying to gain weight, semi-
skimmed or low-fat versions of dairy
products should be chosen. Dairy and its
alternatives contain protein, which helps
with healing after surgery but also repairs
our body daily. The amount we need varies
depending on age, gender and other
health factors; adults over 19 years of age
typically need 700-1000mg of calcium
a day.
14
Dairy alternatives made with soya, rice,
hemp, coconut and nuts, like almond
and cashew, can be suitable to include
in the diet, but only if they are fortified.
Fortified products have added nutrients
such as calcium, B12 and vitamin D, that
are present in dairy-based foods but not
naturally present in the dairy alternatives.
Fortified products like non-dairy milks and
yoghurts will have the added nutrients
included on the nutrition label and it is
important to choose these over non-
fortified options. Vegan diets do not
contain B12 unless fortified options are
included; these can be dairy alternatives,
but can also include nutritional yeasts.
Supplements may sometimes be required,
but this is best advised by your Doctor or a
Registered Dietitian.
Dairy & alternatives
standard portions:

FOOD HANDY MEASURE APPROX. WEIGHT

Hard cheese The size of two thumbs ~30-60g

or
A slice the size of a CD

Soft cheese 3 teaspoons ~30-60g

Milk (any type) ¹/ ³ to ½ a pint ~180-270g or ml

Yoghurt (any type) 1 small pot ~125-190g

¼ of a large pot
3 tablespoons

15
 FRUIT & VEGETABLES

Fruits, vegetables, pulses etc.

Fruits, vegetables, legumes and

pulses are a source of fibre in
our diets, which is important
for multiple reasons...

Having enough fibre is linked to regular bowel movements

and can decrease the risk of constipation and bowel
obstructions (especially for those with colostomies and
ileostomies). Consuming fibre helps slow down blood
sugar rises after meals and can keep us feeling fuller for
longer, which can be very helpful to those with diabetes or
for people wanting to lose weight.

Fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils contain fibre as well as

vitamins and minerals e.g. vitamin C, which is important for
a healthy immune system and skin health (especially healing
after surgery).

16
Fresh, frozen,
tinned, juiced
or dried all count
towards your
‘5 a day’ fruit and
vegetable target...
For juices or smoothies, 150ml is
a portion. It’s best to not go over
this regularly as it can increase the
amount of sugars in your diet and can
contribute towards weight gain. For
dried fruit, ~30g or a cupped palm-
full is a portion. For other portions of
fruits or vegetables (fresh, frozen or
tinned), this is usually 80g, however 1
handful or 3-4 tablespoons are other
ways to check if you’re getting a full
portion. It is best to achieve your ‘5
a day’ by choosing 5 different types
as this means you’ll get a variety of
different nutrients.
After urostomy, ileostomy or colostomy,
there is no strong clinical evidence that
a low-fibre diet is required. However,
those with ileostomies may require up
to 6-8 weeks before their bowel has
settled, and they can begin testing their
tolerance to their normal intake of fruits
and vegetables. For jejunostomies, a
lower fibre diet is likely needed.
The UK's '5 a day' target
for fruit and vegetables
does not suit everyone
with a bowel-stoma -
you may tolerate less
than this and that's OK.
It is often recommended that when
someone is not eating a full and varied
diet, especially when restricting fruits and
vegetables, that a complete multivitamin
and mineral product e.g. Sanatogen®
A-Z Complete or Boots® A-Z Complete
is taken daily. Before taking any new
supplement products, discuss with your
Doctor (e.g. GP) as taking supplements
unnecessarily can over-load our bodies
causing toxicity problems.
17
 FLUIDS & SALT

Fluids
Most people require ~6-8 cups, 1.8-2.4
litres or ~3-4 pints of fluid a day. Almost all
fluids count e.g. water, squash, tea, coffee,
fruit juice, smoothie, milk-based drinks
and sports drinks, but not alcohol. If you
routinely consume less than 3-4 cups of tea
or coffee a day then this is unlikely to be
dehydrating, however if more is consumed
then this can cause extra urination and
possibly looser bowel movements. Swap to
decaffeinated for extra hydration.

For those who lose excess fluid, either

through sweating (heat, exercise or
otherwise induced) or with watery stools
(jejunostomies, ileostomies and other
causes), extra fluid is needed to replace
what is lost.

For every cup of fluid lost through a watery

bowel movement, another cup should be
drunk to replace it.

For those with urostomies or frequent urinary

tract infections (UTIs):

There is some research that supports the daily use of

cranberry capsules, juice and other fruit juices to reduce
the frequency of UTIs, improve urostomy skin health and
decrease urostomy mucus and kidney stone production. The
European Association for Urostomy Nurses recommends
appropriate patients can try taking cranberry capsules.
Keeping as hydrated as possible is ultimately going to be
the most effective way to decrease urology and urostomy
related problems.
Certain medications interact with cranberry, speak
with your health professional for advice.

18
Salt

The advice for most people is to

limit salt and therefore choose
‘reduced salt’ products.

For people with jejunostomies and ileostomies, healthcare

professionals often advise adding salt to food.

The colon (large bowel) is usually responsible for absorbing

water and salt, therefore if the colon is bypassed (e.g.
jejunostomy or ileostomy) water and salt are more likely
to be lost through the stoma. 1 teaspoon of salt can be
added in total throughout the day e.g. when cooking or
at the table when choosing to season a dish. Salty foods
like cheese, crisps and savoury spreads like yeast extracts
can be included in the diet.

19
 SUGAR, FAT & ALCOHOL

Sugar, fat & alcohol

For most people,

high sugar options
like cakes, biscuits,
ice cream etc.
should be had
in moderation
and ideally not
every day.

Choosing lower sugar breakfast contribute to weight gain. When

cereals and avoiding adding sugar
to foods and drinks is advised.
It is recommended that high fat
options like crisps, fried foods
and takeaways are consumed
infrequently; they are high in
calories but often low in actual
nutrition (micronutrients) and
someone has a smaller than normal
appetite, or is trying to gain weight,
then these foods can be helpful to
add extra calories in an enjoyable
way. If in doubt, speak with your
Doctor or Registered Dietitian.

20
Keeping within the
daily recommended
intake reduces the
effects of alcohol on the
Alcohol can be included as long as it does
body, meaning fewer not interact with any of your medications
symptoms like over- (check with your Doctor or Pharmacist). It
flowing stoma pouches. is recommended to have less than 14 units
of alcohol a week, spread across 3 or more
days and with 2 days alcohol free. A unit of
alcohol is 1 x 25ml spirit measure e.g. gin,
whereas a large glass of ~12% abv wine or
regular strength beer is ~2 units. Alcohol
can stimulate the bowel causing looser,
more frequent bowel movements. Alcohol
causes quicker and larger amounts of urine
to be produced; this along with looser
stools can lead to dehydration. Having 1-2
drinks 3 times a week or less minimises
alcohol’s dehydrating effects.

21
 POSSIBLE IRRITANTS

Possible irritants
When the body has recently had surgery (most likely within the first
6-8 weeks) it can be extra sensitive, which can mean some symptoms
occur when consuming certain food or drink products. A sensitive gut
or bladder is more likely to be irritated and this can mean food and fluid
passing through the body quicker than normal; this can cause cramping,
bloating, a more liquid stool, or a higher production of urine.

Those with jejunostomies need a long-term low-fibre

Fibre and low-irritant diet. However, there is no strong clinical
evidence that a low-fibre diet is needed long-term in those
with urostomies, colostomies or even ileostomies. Some
people experience looser and more liquid stools with
higher fibre foods; swapping some of these to lower fibre
alternatives can help form more solid or thicker stools –
this is most common in jejunostomies and ileostomies
and is likely not relevant for those with colostomies
or urostomies.

If you are having looser bowel movements, pick some

lower fibre choices. This may only be needed for 6-8
weeks after surgery and then you can start re-introducing
some higher fibre options. It may not only be the food
choices you make (e.g. lower fibre fruits and vegetables),
but also the amount of portions you have in a day; some
people may only be able to tolerate 2-3 portions, others
5 or more.

High fat foods and drinks

Some people have sensitive guts to ‘rich’ meals that are
high in fat and often include creamy sauces, fried foods
and some takeaway dishes. Occasionally after bowel-
related stoma surgeries, usually in the first 6-8 weeks
after surgery, people’s tolerance to ‘rich’ meals is reduced
but this is usually temporary. Someone with reduced
fat-tolerance may experience greasy stools, a “rancid”
odour and include stomach cramping. Choosing lower fat
options, having tomato rather than cream-based sauces
and having standard or slightly decreased portion sizes
can help reduce symptoms and improve digestion.

22
 Caffeine is a stimulant and some people are more sensitive
Caffeine to it than others. Some people find that caffeinated
products such as cola-style fizzy drinks, coffee and tea
(including some herbal teas like green tea) can over-
stimulate their bowel and cause food to pass more quickly
through the digestive system. Caffeine does not always
need complete exclusion; up to 3-4 cups of tea or coffee
a day are usually tolerated in those without additional
bowel or bladder issues. Just swapping a few drinks to
some decaffeinated versions (teas, coffees, herbal options
like rooibos etc.), a day can help reduce dehydration
and discomfort.

Moderate to heavily spiced foods and added flavourings

Spices are common irritants to a sensitive bowel. Chilli (fresh,
dried, powdered or in sauces) is the most anecdotally
linked trigger. Initially after surgery (6-8 weeks), it is
advisable to have a bland diet with minimal spices to
reduce the irritation to the bowel. After this time, spices
can be gradually reintroduced to individual tolerance. Some
people may take longer i.e. 6-12 months for their gut to
Fibre & Irritant settle and be less sensitive, others may take less than the
usual 6-8 weeks. People who may have had a very high
Food & threshold pre-surgery may have a lower tolerance post-
Drink Table surgery, but this is not definitive.

Food groups Foods to avoid or reduce Foods to choose more of

(higher fibre/irritant)
Starchy Wholemeal, granary or bread
carbohydrate- and rolls that contain nuts,
containing seeds and dried fruit chunks.
foods/ This is the same for bread-like
ingredients products like chapati, naan etc.
(includes Wholegrain/brown, wild or
bread, under-cooked rice. Bulgur
potatoes, wheat, couscous, buckwheat
cereals etc.) and similar grains. Potato, yam,
cassava and taro that aren’t
peeled or soft. Weetabix®,
Shredded Wheat®, oat- or
wheat-bran type cereals (e.g.
TIP: You may Bran Flakes), porridge, muesli,
tolerate a food granola and other higher fibre
hot, but not cereals.Crackers that have nuts,
cold e.g. just- seeds and dried fruit chunks
cooked vs. e.g. ‘Ryvita fruit crunch®’.
cold pasta.
(lower fibre/irritant)
White or ‘best of both’ type breads
or rolls. This is the same for bread-
like products like chapati, naan etc.
Tacos, tortillas.
White rice, pasta, polenta and
noodles. Potatoes (white and
sweet), without the skin and
polenta. Yam, cassava and taro
well-cooked without the skins.
Non-fibrous cereals that do not
contain nuts, seeds or dried fruit
e.g. Rice Krispies®, Coco Pops®,
corn and frosted flake type cereals.
Crackers without nuts, seeds or
dried fruit chunks e.g. Digestives,
cheese-flavoured crackers or
‘Original Ryvita®’.
23
 POSSIBLE IRRITANTS

Fibre & Irritant Food & Drink Table

Food groups Foods to avoid or reduce
(higher fibre/irritant)
Meat, Steak, gristle-containing,
poultry, tough or very dry meat,
fish and poultry or fish, skins e.g.
vegetarian chicken or fish skin, bones,
protein pulses and lentils (includes
foods chickpeas and beans) and
houmous/hummus*.
Foods to choose more of
(lower fibre/irritant)
Well-cooked, non-dry and skinless meat,
poultry or fish e.g. pork-chop, chicken or
fish fillet, mince. Eggs (in any form) e.g.
boiled or scotch-eggs.
Tinned fish where the bones are easily
chewable. Tofu, tempeh, textured
vegetable protein, mycoprotein
e.g Quorn®.
Battered, pastry-covered or bread-
crumbed meats, poultry, fish and other
protein sources.

TIP: Serve with a sauce or gravy to add

moisture and aid chewing.

Dairy and its Yoghurt or cheeses with nuts, Yoghurts or cheeses without nuts, seeds
alternatives seeds, dried fruit and granola- and dried fruit. Yoghurts with fruit pulp*
like cereals*. e.g. Muller® fruit corner.
All types of milk, including cows and
other animals as well as plant-based milks
e.g. soya or almond.

Fruits Dried fruit e.g. raisins,
sultanas, dried figs etc. Fruit
with skin or that is stringy
and fibrous e.g. non-peeled
apples, oranges with lots
of pith (white stringy bits),
rhubarb, pineapple, figs,
dates and coconut. Under-
ripe fruit e.g. green bananas,
green mangos. Fruit with
pips or seeds e.g. berries like
raspberries and blackberries*.
Peeled fruits e.g. apples, grapes, peaches,
plums etc. Oranges and similar fruits
without the pith (white stringy bits),
berries* e.g. strawberries, bananas, melon
and other soft fruits. Tinned, puree or
cooked fruit (without skin, pips or stones).
TIP: Tinned or jelly fruit pots e.g.
fruit cocktail are easy dessert or snack
choices.

This table is non-exhaustive and does not replace tailored dietary advice
from your healthcare professional. Foods marked with an asterisk within
this table can have varying effects on individuals.

*These foods, in particular, affect individuals differently so introduce

them gradually as per your tolerance.

24
Food groups Foods to avoid or reduce
(higher fibre/irritant)
Vegetables Raw vegetables, including
salad e.g. lettuce, celery,
raw bell peppers and spring
onions. Hard to digest
vegetables, including beans
like butter beans or green/
runner beans, sweetcorn,
peas, mushrooms, cabbage,
brussel sprouts, spinach,
kale and spring greens.
Condiments Wholegrain mustard,
chunky jam, nut butter or
spreads, pickles.
Misc. Bombay mix, nuts and
seeds, chilli flavoured foods,
cake or biscuits with nuts or
seeds in e.g. fruit loaves or
garibaldi biscuits.
Drinks Fizzy drinks, including colas,
lemonade and sparkling
water. Smooth soups.
Caffeinated tea and coffee*.
Foods to choose more of
(lower fibre/irritant)
Peeled and well-cooked vegetables without
seeds e.g. onions, carrots, swede, butternut
squash, avocados, broccoli or cauliflower
florets (without the stalk), beetroot,
parsnip, courgette, aubergine, bell peppers
and cucumber. Cooked, de-skinned and
non-seeded tomatoes e.g. sieved tinned
tomatoes or passata.
Apple sauce*, non-chunky fruit coulis*,
smooth jams, smooth nut butter, honey,
syrups, sugar, mint sauce, mayonnaise,
smooth mustard, smooth chutney, ketchup,
non-chunky cooking sauces like soya or
Worcestershire sauce, flavourings e.g. stock
cubes/powder/liquid, garlic, herbs and
spices (coriander, turmeric).
Olives, pastry, batter or breadcrumbs, crisps
(potato or other types) smooth nut butter,
jelly, jelly with suitable fruit in, chocolate,
ice cream, sorbet, butter, margarines, ghee
and oils. Soups that have well-cooked
and easy to chew vegetables and other
components. Biscuits and cake (without
dried fruit chunks, nuts or seeds in) e.g.
custard creams, fig rolls or madeira cake.
Crisps, prawn crackers and poppadoms.
Custard powder, semolina, tapioca,
cornflour. Chocolate spread, tahini, tzatziki
and other smooth dips or spreads. Coconut
milk or cream.
TIP: Is it easy to chew and isn’t stringy,
gritty or tough? It’s probably OK to eat!
Up to 150ml of fruit juice* or smoothie*
a day (without ‘bits’). Decaffeinated teas
and coffee. Water, flavoured-water (still),
squash or cordials.
25
 LIFESTYLE

Lifestyle
There are many dietary and lifestyle factors that can irritate
the over-sensitive gut, such as smoking, carbonated (fizzy)
drinks, eating too quickly, not chewing foods enough before
swallowing, lots of exercise/activity and stress. There are
no health benefits to smoking and it is always advisable to
consider quitting.

Food texture - For bowel stomas

Foods that are softer can be easier to eat because they

take less effort and energy to chew and break down.
Softer foods, like well cooked vegetables, are also
easier to digest and therefore are less likely to cause
blockages, cramps or looser stools. Foods do not need
to be pureed; if you want to include pureed foods
discuss with your healthcare member and try for only
a few days – you are highly unlikely to need a pureed
diet long-term.

Fizzy drinks - For bowel stomas

These are made by carbonation; it is the presence of
carbon dioxide (the bubbles in fizzy drinks) that can
cause discomfort with bloating – it can also cause the
stoma pouch to become inflated. Examples of fizzy
drinks to cut down on are sparkling water, sodas e.g.
cola or lemonade and energy drinks e.g. Red Bull®
or Monster®.

26
Eating technique techniques to reduce it can also
- For bowel stomas help reduce over-sensitive guts and
bladders.
Digestion begins in the mouth
with chewing to break food down,
mixing it with the enzymes in
saliva to further break it down and
swallowing to pass food and drink
to the rest of the gastrointestinal
(GI) system. When we eat quickly
and do not chew our food well, the
food requires more digestion lower
in the GI system and we can also
(unconsciously) swallow air. After
bowel stoma surgery, the GI path is
shorter and therefore less digestion
may happen; especially in the first
6-8 weeks of recovery. Taking Smoking
time to eat, chewing food well
and not talking with our mouth Smoking can over-stimulate and
full helps digestion and can reduce inflame the gut and therefore
diarrhoea, cramps, bloating and reducing/quitting smoking is
gas-filled stoma pouches. advised to help reduce the strain
on the bowel. After surgery,
Exercise/activity and stress including urostomies, smoking
slows healing and increases the risk
Exercise or stress can increase of complications. If trying to quit,
stimulation of the gut and bladder, there are nicotine replacement
which can be beneficial in some therapies (NRTs) like e-cigarettes
instances e.g. in helping passing and patches. There is no strong
urine or stools. Alternatively, when clinical evidence that NRTs reduce
being more active and mobile, the the stimulation on the bladder or
increased stimulation on the gut bowel compared to tobacco, but it
and bladder can lead to a quicker may be beneficial to try.
passage of food and liquid – this
can cause looser stools and higher
urine production. You will learn
your body’s reaction to increased
physical activity and stress, and you
may find that reducing possible
irritants can help you. Stress cannot
always be prevented, but being
aware of stress and finding helpful
27
 MEAL PLANS

Meal plans: low-fibre & low-irritant

These meal plans are examples and only intended

for guidance – they are not meant to be followed
exactly. Before changing your diet, read the
accompanying advice and it is advisable to check
with your healthcare team e.g. Doctor, Specialist
Nurse or Registered Dietitian.

Low-fibre and low-irritant meal plan #1

Meal time Original meal Adapted lower fibre /

irritant meal

~07:30 40g of muesli with 150ml semi- 40g corn flakes with 150ml
skimmed milk, cup of coffee, semi-skimmed milk, cup of
1 under-ripe banana decaffeinated coffee,
1 ripe banana.

~10:30 Packet of crisps and 500ml bottle Packet of crisps and 150ml
of cola. fruit juice (without bits).

~13:00 1 cereal bowl sized salad with White bread sandwich with
a wholegrain ham, tomato and ham, peeled cucumber,
wholegrain mustard sandwich, smooth mustard, 1 fun-sized
1 fun-sized chocolate bar. chocolate bar.

~15:00 A cup of tea, an apple and 3 A cup of tea, a peeled apple and
garibaldi biscuits. 3 custard creams.

~19:00 75g (dry weight) wholemeal
pasta, 150g soya mince, 80g
mushrooms, 40g cheddar
cheese, 2 pieces of garlic bread.
Apple crumble portion
with custard.
75g (dry weight) white pasta with
150g soya mince, ¼ of a well-
cooked bell pepper, 40g cheddar
cheese, 2 pieces of garlic bread.
Apple crumble portion
with custard.

~20:30 Cup of tea and 1 handful of Cup of tea with 2 crackers, each
mixed nuts. with ½tbsp smooth nut butter.

28
Meal plans: low-fibre & low-irritant (2)
Low-fibre and low-irritant meal plan #2
Meal time Original meal
~07:30 2 slices of wholegrain toast with
1tbsp crunchy peanut butter on
both.
30ml chunky smoothie.
~10:30 1 handful of chocolate
covered raisins.
~13:00 1 fist-sized jacket potato, with
the skin, tuna and sweetcorn
mayonnaise filling and side salad.
Cup of coffee and a slice of
fruit loaf.
~15:00 A chunky nut-containing cereal
bar and bottle of sparkling
fruit-flavoured water.
~19:00 Roast chicken breast (with
the skin), broccoli, peas and
wholegrain rice.
A bowl of ice cream.
~20:30 Cup of tea and mixed fruit salad
(mango, apple, grapes, berries).
Adapted lower fibre /
irritant meal
2 slices of white toast with 1tbsp
smooth peanut butter on both.
150ml smoothie (without bits).
2 crackers with 2tsp chocolate
spread on each, 2 small
satsumas (without the pith).
1 fist-sized jacket potato without
skin and sweetcorn, side serving
of peeled and roasted carrots,
parsnip and courgette.
Cup of tea and a slice of
battenburg cake.
A cereal bar without nut
chunks e.g. Nature’s Valley®
or Nutrigrain® type bars with
500ml fruit-flavored still water.
Roast chicken breast (without
the skin), broccoli (no stalk),
peeled aubergine and white rice.
A bowl of ice cream.
Cup of tea and 125g Greek-style
yoghurt with ½ tin of pears.
29
 MAXIMISING NUTRITION

Maximising nutrition
There are adjustments you can make that maximise
the nutrition of your meals to both reduce the risk of
malnutrition and also treat it. ‘Healthy eating’ is subjective,
for most people it means choosing lower-fat options, but
this is not always appropriate. If someone has lost weight
and cannot manage much of their meals, then healthy
eating for them means adding calories (often through
increasing fat and sugar).

Eating the higher calorie foods first, like

the carbohydrates or the proteins, means
you’re more likely to eat the most important
nutritious parts.

Choosing higher calorie foods helps maximise the nutrition

per mouthful – make every mouthful count! Swap a low-
fat yoghurt for a full-fat Greek style yoghurt or change a
digestive for a shortbread. These small changes add up,
adding extra calories which help provide energy.

Adding extras onto foods also adds calories, this is

sometimes called ‘food fortification’ to healthcare
professionals like Dietitians. Extras that you can add to
snacks, meals or puddings include:

• 1 tablespoon (tbsp) of margarine or butter

(~15g, ~100 calories)
• 1 heaped tbsp of spreads like mayonnaise
(~20g, ~130 calories)
• 2 heaped tbsp of dried milk powder
(~30g, ~115 calories)
• Small handful of grated cheese
(~40g, ~130 calories)
• 1 tbsp of double cream
(~15g, ~140 calories)
• 2 teaspoons (tsp) of sugar, honey or syrup
(~10g, ~40 calories)
• 1tsp of oil e.g. olive oil
(~5g, ~45 calories)
E.g. when making mashed potatoes, add cream
rather than milk, some butter and add a handful of
cheese before mixing – add one after too if you like!
30
Nutrition-boosting ideas

ORIGINAL NUTRITION-BOOSTING SWAP

Semi-skimmed or *Fortified milk: Mix 3-4tbsp

full-fat milk of dried milk powder into 1 pint
of full-fat (blue or gold-top) milk.
TIP: Add straight into the carton or
bottle, close the lid and shake well
to mix.

Instant coffee or A mugful of heated full-fat milk with

hot chocolate added coffee or chocolate powder.

Re-heated ‘Cream of’ soups e.g. cream of

vegetable soup tomato with 1tbsp of double cream
and sprinkle of grated cheese.
Add one piece of toast or a small
buttered roll.

Normal cooked Add up to 1tbsp of oil and a handful

pasta and potatoes of grated cheese after cooking.

Well-cooked Add a knob of butter or some oil.

vegetables

Piece of toast with A crumpet with thicker spread butter

low-fat spread or margarine.

Ham sandwich with Cheese and ham sandwich with

low-fat spread butter/margarine and some full-fat
mayonnaise.

Porridge made with Made with full-fat milk, with 1tbsp

semi-skimmed milk double cream and 2tsp honey or
sugar.

Stewed fruit and Fruit crumble and custard with 2tbsp

low-fat yoghurt squirty cream.
31
 MEAL PLANS

Meal plans: nutrition-boosting &

low-fibre/low-irritant meal plan

Low-fibre/low-irritant, nutrition-boosting meal plan

Meal time Original meal Adapted meal

~07:30 Chunky-oat porridge made with Fine porridge (e.g. Ready Brek®)
semi-skimmed milk, 2 small plums, made with fortified milk*, 2
cup of tea. peeled plums, milky decaffeinated
coffee.

~10:30 1 cup of tea and 2 rich tea 1 Oral Nutritional Supplement

biscuits. (ONS) or 1 milk-based drink with 2
shortbreads.

~13:00 1 bowl of minestrone soup, 1 slice
of wholegrain toast with low-fat
margarine, 1 glass of squash.
1 bowl of ‘cream of’ tomato soup,
with 1 tbsp double cream mixed
in, 1 small handful
of grated cheese on top,
1 crumpet with thickly spread
butter or margarine, 150ml glass
of fruit juice.

~15:00 A cup of tea and 2 plain 1 ONS or milky drink, a single

digestive biscuits. trifle portion and a banana.

~19:00 Battered fish with deep fried Battered fish (without the skin or
chips and mushy peas. bones), deep fried chips, roasted
A slice of fruit loaf. and peeled carrots and parsnips
(cooked in olive oil), served with
1tbsp mayonnaise.
Plain sponge cake with custard
and 2tbsp squirty cream.

~20:30 Cup of tea. Decaffeinated milky coffee or hot

chocolate.

Note: Oral Nutritional Supplement (ONS) drinks provide extra nourishment to help
you recover after surgery - there are lots of different flavours, textures and volumes so
there's something for everyone. If you have any questions, speak to your GP or local
Dietitian team.

32
Meal plans: nutrition-boosting &
low-fibre/low-irritant meal plan (2)

Low-fibre/low-irritant, nutrition-boosting meal plan

Meal time Original meal Adapted meal

~07:30 Bowl of muesli with semi- 2 handfuls of cornflake-style

skimmed milk, double espresso cereal, made with fortified
coffee. milk*, 1 banana and milky
decaffeinated coffee.

~10:30 1 cup of tea and 1 handful 1 ONS or 1 milk-based drink and

of nuts. 2 oatcakes with 1tbsp smooth
nut butter.

~13:00 Chicken salad and 1 glass Chicken and skinless cucumber

of squash. white bread sandwich, with
butter or margarine and a sauce
e.g. mayonnaise.
1 peeled pear with ~125g Greek-
style full-fat yoghurt and a milk-
based drink.

~15:00 An americano coffee and a 1 ONS or milky drink, smooth

handful of dried fruit. jam and 1tbsp margarine on
1 slice of white bread.

~19:00 Tomato-based lentil curry with Coconut milk or creamy curry,

wild rice. with a vegetarian protein e.g.
A low-fat yoghurt pot. tofu or Quorn®.
A bowl of tinned peaches with
double cream or custard.

~20:30 Cup of tea. Milky drink e.g. glass of milk.

Note: *See page 31 for fortified milk recipe

33
 FAQs

Common Questions
How can I eat out e.g. at restaurants?

For those with urostomies and colostomies, you are likely

to not need dietary changes and can eat as normal (at
others’ homes or eateries). For those with jejunostomies,
some with ileostomies and those with conditions like IBS,
you are likely to need a fibre-adjusted and low-irritant
diet. Lots of eateries (including cafés and restaurants) have
online menus you can view ahead of time and some allow
you to email queries, otherwise you can call and speak
to a member of staff. If you know what you specifically
react to then you can let the eatery know ahead
of time, otherwise you can speak with your server
when ordering. If you are unsure what you react
to then it can be helpful to choose low-fibre and
low-irritant options. Eateries can sometimes make
adjustments to standard menu options e.g. swapping
salads for soft-cooked vegetables, so don’t be afraid
to ask – your health, but also enjoyment is important.

How do I know that I’m dehydrated?

Thirst is not a reliable marker of dehydration; common

symptoms of dehydration include:

• Less frequent, lower volume and darker urine

• Dry lips, mouth and eyes
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, especially on standing
• Feeling weak/tired
• Headaches
• Muscle cramps

To minimise dehydration:

• Include frequent drinks throughout the day, including

after meals (unless advised otherwise)

• Include foods that have a higher water content e.g.

yoghurt, melon.

• Have sauces with meals or puddings e.g. gravy

or custard
34
 FAQs

Common Questions
I have ongoing watery stools, what shall I do?

If you are passing more than 1500ml of stool a day, this is called “high-output”
and means you’re more likelyto become dehydrated. It is best to speak with your
Doctor, Specialist Nurse or Dietitian, but in the interim you can try:

• Ensuring you’re eating good portion meals spread evenly throughout the day and
a third of each meal contains a starchy carbohydrate.

• Having a low-fibre and low-irritant diet

• Leaving 15-20 minutes between eating and drinking

• Increasing your salt; choose saltier foods e.g. cheese, crackers or sauces and also
adding salt to meals (while cooking or at the table)

• Having rehydration drinks like Dioralyte (available in pharmacies) or St. Mark’s

solution (only if told by your Doctor/Specialist Nurse)

TIP: Medications can be helpful to reduce your bowel-stoma

output; sometimes dietary changes aren’t enough. Loperamide,
codeine, omeprazole and octreotide are often used to slow and
thicken your stools, these are usually prescribed by your Doctor and
may be taken ~30-60 minutes before a meal or multiple times a
day. Always discuss with your Doctor before starting or changing
any medication.

35
 Common Questions

How can I prevent a stoma blockage (& how will I know that I have one)?

Blockages are a risk of any stoma surgery, but with the right knowledge you can
reduce the chances.

Signs of stoma blockages:

Bowel-stomas

• Lower volume, thinner or clearer stoma liquid

• Abdominal cramping or pain by the stoma
• Decrease in amount of urine and darker colour
• Abdominal and stoma swelling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Faint or absent bowel sounds

Note: If you pass much less stool than normal, or none for a few hours,
contact your Doctor, call the NHS helpline on 111 or if necessary, visit your local
Accident and Emergency department.

Urostomies

• Significant decrease in amount of urine and darker colour urine

• Cramping, pain or swelling at the stoma site
• Nausea and vomiting

Note: If your urine output has significantly reduced and is dark, or you
have pain and swelling, visit your Doctor or call the NHS helpline on 111.

36
I have odour, colour changes etc. – what will help?
Sometimes there may be dietary causes and this table is a summary of common problems, causes and what
you can change to help. These foods and drinks are most commonly linked to these problems, but can be
tolerated in varying amounts; everyone’s tolerance is different and as your body heals your tolerance can
increase – listen to your body and you’ll learn what works for you.
Problem Causes
Pouch-inflating Stools – onions, garlic, broccoli,
and bloating cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage,
beans, chewing gum, fizzy drinks
(including beer) and eating quickly.
Pouch odour Stools – onions, garlic, broccoli,
cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage,
beans, fish and eggs.
Urine – dehydration, garlic,
asparagus, fish and seafood.
Undigested Stools – not chewing foods enough, bean
food and sprouts, sweetcorn, popcorn, mushrooms,
blockages fruit or vegetable skins, fibrous fruit/veg.
e.g. pineapple, raw fruit and veg., nuts
and seeds.
Increased stool Eating quickly, not chewing foods enough,
frequency and more than 2-3 portions of fruit a day or
watery stools more than 150ml of smoothies/fruit juice
a day, higher fibre fruits and vegetables,
high fluid meals e.g. soups.
Colour Red: beetroots and red berries, red wine.
changes Purple/dark blue: Stools – blueberries,
blackberries.
Urostomy output – being constipated (not
enough fluid or fibre).
Yellow/orange/dark brown:
Stools – High fat meals e.g. creamy sauces,
fried foods or a gut infection.
Urine – Dehydration (not enough fluid or
high dose B vitamins).
Green:
Stools – High fat meals e.g. creamy sauces
or fried foods.
Black:
Stools – Taking iron supplements or
bleeding in the digestive system; speak
with your Doctor or call the NHS helpline
111 for advice.
Solutions
Try eating slower & chewing your food
more. Reduce the trigger foods and drinks
in your diet.
Keep a food and symptom diary and see if
there’s a trend.
Try including: dairy foods and parsley.
You may find you get pain after some of
these ‘trigger’ foods so ensure they’re
well cooked, you chew well and if needed
then reduce the amount of that food in
your diet.
Try including: low-fibre starchy
carbohydrates at every meal e.g. peeled
potatoes. Eating 3 marshmallows, 3 times
a day (9 in total per day) has been shown
to help thicken stools.
Most colour changes are not harmful and
do not need you to change your diet.
Speak with your Doctor or call the NHS
helpline 111 if:
• There are drastic smell, consistency
or volume changes in your stools
or urine.
• You have unfamiliar pain at the
stoma site or in your digestive
system (anywhere from the mouth
to anus).
37
 FAQS

Common Questions
I have other health conditions, what shall I do?

If you have other health conditions like diabetes, IBS, allergies etc. then some of the advice
provided here may need adapting. This information is not to replace clinical professional
advice from your healthcare member (e.g. Doctor, Specialist Nurse or Dietitian). If you
need more support, speak with your healthcare professional.

Should I take supplements?

Supplements can refer to many different products, like multivitamin tablets, oral
nutritional supplement drinks (ONS), herbal preparations or others. For most individuals
with stomas, no supplements are required. If someone has to adapt their diet then a
healthcare professional, e.g. Doctor or Dietitian, may recommend a particular multivitamin
and mineral preparation. ONS are sometimes recommended when someone has difficulty
maintaining their weight and these will either be from a Dietitian (in hospital) or a Doctor
(e.g. GP). Vitamin-like products and ONS must be recommended by a professional and
should not be bought from health shops, online or without proper advice from those
who are medically qualified. Herbal products are usually not recommended to be taken
if you take any medication as the herbal preparations can interact and cause harm.
A healthcare professional, e.g. Doctor, Specialist Nurse or Dietitian, is highly unlikely
to recommend a herbal product; if you would like to take any herbal products speak with
your Doctor before starting.

38
SOURCES OF SUPPORT

Sources of Support

We are Colostomy UK, a national charity that offers support and advice to people living with stomas, their
families, carers, and friends. We’re here if you have questions, need support or just want to talk to someone
who lives with a stoma.

We also run projects to empower ostomates to return to sports, hobbies and other interests and give them
the confidence to take up fresh challenges. We are advocates for ostomates’ rights and their voice on the
bigger issues. Our campaigns raise awareness and encourage organisations to make their facilities more
inclusive. Supporting and enhancing ostomates’ wellbeing is at the core of everything we do.

Our vision
We want hidden conditions to be understood and accepted by all. Our vision is of communities in which
everyone is empowered to reach their potential.

Support: We provide compassionate support tailored to the needs of the individual.

• 24 - hour Freephone Helpline 0800 328 4257 with fully trained volunteers available to share their
experiences and advice of living with a stoma.
• As well as answering our helpline, our volunteers can also visit you in hospital or at home. We can
match a volunteer to you; age, gender, location or concern.
• Literature – written in collaboration with ostomates and healthcare professionals.
• Our quarterly flagship support magazine Tidings shares hints, tips and real lives stories from individuals,
and articles from healthcare professionals.
• Closed Facebook support group for peer to peer support.
• Our website is packed full of advice, support, and information on living with a stoma.
• We work with communities through individuals and stoma care nurses to set up support groups.

Empowerment: The aim of our day-to-day work, projects and campaigns, is to empower people living
with a stoma to reach their potential.

• Active Ostomates - Improving the wellbeing of ostomates through a range of initiatives including Chair
yoga, art, swimming, and archery.
• Join Team Colostomy UK – For anyone wanting to make a difference through volunteering, fundraising,
rugby league or just helping anyway you can.
• Caring for a person with a stoma – Free workshops that provide a practical guide to caring for
an ostomate.
• Stoma Friendly Society – Campaigning for stoma friendly toilets, working with UK airports make travel
accessible to all.

GET IN TOUCH:

Admin line: 0118 939 1537

24 hour Helpline: 0800 328 4257 (Practical and emotional support)
Website: www.ColostomyUK.org
Email: info@ColostomyUk.org

39
 Expert guidance on living with a stoma
whilst maintaining a healthy diet

#fittleworthFit
POST: PHONE:
freepost, Fittleworth National:
0800 378 846
ONLINE: Scotland:
fittleworth.com 0800 783 7148
Nurse Line:
0800 378 413
Text:
07800 005 658