Wondering what snacks you can enjoy with an ostomy? First start with understanding your nutritional needs and which foods your digestive system will tolerate. Whether you’re recovering from surgery or looking for more variety, choosing snacks can and should be an ongoing part of your daily ostomy care. Here, we’ll share snack ideas and how to choose the right options for your ostomy type.
Quick Overview: Best Snacks for People Living With an Ostomy
- Ostomy-friendly snacks depend on your ostomy type, recovery stage, and individual food tolerance.
- Yogurt, cheese and crackers, bananas, applesauce, eggs, and smooth nut butter are convenient, nutritious snack options to try.
- Foods can affect output differently, with some contributing to gas or looser stool and others helping thicken output.
- Introduce new snacks in small portions, chew thoroughly, and follow your care team’s guidance on fiber, fluids, and electrolytes.
- An ostomy nurse or registered dietitian can help if digestive symptoms or food concerns limit your snack choices.
What Makes a Snack Ostomy-Friendly?
Ostomy-friendly foods are ones that you tolerate comfortably and that fit your nutritional needs. There isn’t one snack that works for everyone, and your options can depend on your ostomy type and how your body responds to different foods. To help, consider assessing the following factors:
- Texture and preparation: Soft, peeled, or cooked foods may be easier to tolerate, especially during recovery, while smooth nut butter offers an alternative to whole nuts.
- Fiber content: You may need to limit fiber temporarily after surgery, then gradually reintroduce foods according to your care team’s guidance.
- Portion size: Start with a small serving when trying something new so you can see how it affects your output and comfort.
- Nutritional value: Include snacks that provide protein, carbohydrates, or other nutrients to help meet your daily needs.
- Effects on output: Some foods may thicken ostomy output, while others may contribute to gas, odor, or looser output, although responses vary.
After recovering from surgery, many people with an ostomy can return to a varied diet, however, there are some foods to avoid which have a high risk of a blockage. Your ostomy nurse can help you better understand how to choose between certain foods based on your circumstances.
Food Reference Chart for People With an Ostomy
Different foods may affect ostomy output, including its consistency, gas, and odor. To help you get a better understanding of how different fruits, vegetables, grains, and fats affect your stoma and overall digestion, consider the following food reference chart. You can find a more thorough chart and additional resources at the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA).
| Possible Effect | Food and Drink Examples |
|---|---|
| May increase gas | Beans, lentils, broccoli, cabbage, onions, carbonated drinks, and milk if poorly tolerated |
| May increase odor | Eggs, asparagus, garlic, onions, strong cheeses, and fish |
| May loosen output | Prune juice, alcohol, fried foods, spicy foods, sugary drinks, and dairy if lactose intolerant |
| May thicken output | Applesauce, bananas, white rice, smooth peanut butter, peeled potatoes, plain crackers, and white toast |
| May help with constipation in people with a colostomy | Oatmeal, prunes, cooked fruits and vegetables, and whole grains, introduced as tolerated |
| May be harder to pass, particularly with an ileostomy | Popcorn, whole nuts, seeds, corn, celery, mushrooms, dried fruit, coconut, and tough fruit skins |
| May change output color | Beets, tomato products, red gelatin, and foods containing strong food dyes |
Best Snacks for People Living with an Ostomy
The best snacks for people living with a stoma tend to depend on personal circumstances. Everyone is different, and some people may digest certain things differently than others. Still, a healthy, balanced diet with vitamins and minerals is important. In between meals, the following are some great nutritious snack options that may be suitable for your digestive system without irritating the bowel. However, if you notice any symptoms like nausea or changes in output, it's important to take note of what you ate and consult your doctor or stoma care nurse. To help you get started, consider some of the following snacks.
1. Yogurt
Yogurt is a convenient snack that provides protein and calcium, with Greek yogurt offering a higher-protein option. If you're following a low-fiber diet, varieties without whole nuts, seeds, or dried fruit may be a practical choice. If dairy causes gas or loose output, consider a lactose-free version.
2. Cheese and Crackers
Cheese and crackers offer a simple combination of protein and carbohydrates that takes little preparation. Try mild cheese with plain crackers, adjusting the portion to your appetite. If you notice digestive discomfort after eating cheese, experiment with a smaller serving or a lactose-free option.
3. Bananas and Applesauce
A ripe banana or a serving of smooth applesauce makes an easy snack at home or on the go. Both may help thicken loose output, although their effects vary from person to person. Pair either with another tolerated food, such as yogurt or smooth peanut butter, for a more filling snack.
4. Smooth Nut Butter on Toast
Smooth peanut or almond butter adds protein, fat, and flavor to toast or crackers. It also offers a way to enjoy nuts without the texture of whole nuts, which can be harder to pass, particularly with an ileostomy. Start with a thin spread and choose the bread that fits your current dietary guidance.
5. Hard-Boiled or Scrambled Eggs
Eggs provide protein and work well as a small snack on their own or with toast. Prepare a few hard-boiled eggs ahead of time for convenience, or make scrambled eggs. Eggs may increase gas or output odor for some people, but this doesn’t automatically mean you need to avoid them.
6. Hummus with Pita Bread
Smooth hummus with soft pita bread is a flavorful snack that provides protein and fiber. Because chickpeas may cause gas or digestive discomfort for some people, start with a small portion and follow your care team's dietary recommendations, especially if you're recovering from surgery.
7. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is another protein-containing option that requires little preparation. Enjoy it plain or pair it with soft, peeled fruit that you already tolerate. As with other dairy snacks, a lactose-free version may be worth trying if regular cottage cheese causes discomfort.
8. Pretzels, Plain Crackers, or Rice Cakes
These snacks are easy to portion and carry in your bag when you’re away from home. Eat them on their own for something light, or add cheese or smooth nut butter to make them more substantial.
How to Choose Snacks for Your Ostomy Type
As an ostomate, you may be at a higher risk of malabsorption or dehydration, depending on the extent of your surgery. While it can take some trial and error to find a diet that works for you, you should seek advice from your doctor if you're having trouble finding a good routine or if you're experiencing any symptoms of nutrient deficiencies. In the meantime, you can use your ostomy type to better understand some practical tips for choosing snacks.
Snack Considerations for People with an Ileostomy
- Choose softer options, such as yogurt, applesauce, or smooth nut butter on toast, especially while recovering from surgery
- Use extra caution with whole nuts, popcorn, dried fruit, and tough skins because these foods can increase blockage risk
- Chew thoroughly and introduce unfamiliar foods one at a time in small portions
- Try bananas, plain crackers, refined pasta, or white toast if you want foods that may help thicken loose output
- Follow your care team’s fluid and electrolyte recommendations, since an ileostomy increases your risk of dehydration
Snack Considerations for People with a Colostomy
- Choose a variety of snacks as tolerated, rather than assuming you need a permanently restricted diet
- Introduce fiber gradually according to your care team’s guidance, particularly after surgery
- If constipation is a concern, ask whether snacks such as oatmeal, soft fruit, or whole-grain toast would suit your needs
- Notice whether particular foods increase gas or odor, and try smaller portions before deciding to avoid them
- Keep a simple food diary if you notice recurring changes in output to help identify your personal triggers
Enjoy More Variety with the Right Ostomy Support
Living with an ostomy doesn’t mean giving up variety with what you eat, but it's important to see how your body adjusts after surgery. Start with foods you tolerate well, introduce new options gradually, and ask your ostomy nurse or registered dietitian for guidance if digestive concerns make eating difficult.
Eating well is just one part of living comfortably with an ostomy. Having the right supplies can also help you feel more comfortable throughout your day. Byram Healthcare offers a range of ostomy products to support your care routine. Explore your options and contact us for additional help getting started with your next order.
