Dietary Advice - (DM version)
General Dietary Advice
Making changes to your diet can feel overwhelming, so here’s a simple guide to help you understand common terms and make healthy choices.
Low Fibre (Low Residue) Diet
This means avoiding foods that are high in fibre, which can be harder to digest.
Foods to avoid:
- Wholemeal, granary, brown, or high-fibre bread
- High-fibre cereals like Weetabix, bran flakes, oats, and muesli
- Wholewheat pasta and brown rice
- Crisps, nuts, and cereal bars
- Potato skins
- Full-fat yogurt, ice cream, and full-fat milk
Foods you can have:
- White bread
- Low-fibre cereals like Rice Krispies, Cornflakes, or Special K
- White rice and white pasta
- Plain biscuits (e.g., Rich Tea)
- Peeled potatoes
- Low-fat yogurts without fruit
What Do These Labels Mean?
- Fat Free: Less than 0.5g of fat per 100g
- Low Fat: No more than 3g of fat per serving (check the label for serving size)
- Reduced Fat: At least 30% less fat than the regular version—but it may still be high in fat, so always check the label
Dietary Advice for New Ileostomies and Colostomies
If you’ve recently had an ileostomy or colostomy, here are some helpful tips:
- Everyone is different—what works for one person may not work for another
- After surgery, start with a lighter, softer diet (soups, yogurt, custard, jelly)
- Eat small meals often and chew food well to help it pass through your stoma easily
- Stay hydrated! Dehydration can make you unwell. Drinks with electrolytes (like isotonic drinks) are helpful
Foods to avoid or be cautious with:
- Gas-producing foods: onions, garlic, dairy, fizzy drinks
- Foods that may block your stoma: nuts, seeds, tomatoes, citrus fruits, whole grains (especially for ileostomies)
- Foods that may cause odour: garlic, sprouts, fish, curry, mushrooms, eggs
- Foods that thicken stool: bananas, potatoes, cheese, bread, jelly, marshmallows
- Foods that soften stool: beans, spicy foods, caffeine
