4 min read
Dietary guidelines for intestinal or urinary stoma patients – key principles, indications, and beneficial foods
Tim Klein
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Diets Premium Expert • 24.09.2026
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Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian:
This article has been peer-reviewed for adherence to IŻŻ, WHO, and PTGiP clinical nutritional standards.
| Diets Premium Expert Tim Klein | min read 4 min | Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian 24.09.2026 |
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Key Takeaways
In Poland, thousands of patients undergo surgery to create an intestinal or urinary stoma each year. A shortened digestive pathway can result in distressing symptoms that diminish quality of life. Could a tailored diet assist the patient in managing some of these challenges?
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What is a stoma?
A stoma is a procedure that involves combining the intestinal light with the surface of the skin. In the event of an abnormal action of this organ, the surgeon cuts off the diseased part of the intestine and creates a new route of emptying into the abdominal wall.
Stoma – Indications
The most common indications for performing ileostomy or colostomy are inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g. Crohn's disease), ulcers of the rectum or esophagus, and colon cancers. Urostomy is performed in malignant tumors of the small intestine (i.e. bladder, prostate), kidney or urinary tract, or in the pelvis. This is not always a permanent solution.
Diet by the rules
No specific diet is recommended for patients with artificial digestion. If they have no digestive problems, they do not have to change the way they eat. However, it should be remembered that shortening the food chain affects the absorption of water and nutrients. The most common ailments experienced by patients are diarrhea or constipation and gas. The general rules that should be followed in the kitchen are: eating 5-6 small meals at regular intervals, thoroughly chewing each bite, drinking at least 2 liters of water daily, cooking by boiling or steaming rather than frying, and avoiding highly processed foods with artificial additives.
The feeding of the sick with stoma of the perineum
For diarrheal problems, the patient should avoid: very fatty and sweet products, spices, flavoring products (cauliflower plants, cabbage vegetables), raw fruits and vegetables... Focus should be on reducing the amount of fiber in the diet and providing more fluids to prevent dehydration of the body.
Feeding the sick with constipation
When a patient complains of constipation, his or her diet should be practically the opposite of the dietary diet. This disease primarily requires increased fiber intake in the diet. You should eat dark pastries, whole grains of corn, oatmeal, garlic, raw vegetables and fruits and dried fruits. Avoid foods such as chocolate, cocoa, fatty and spicy foods, refractory products (light baking, white rice, jellies, bananas, potato flour foods).
Feeding the sick with gas stoma
In case of gas problems, eliminating several foods from the diet should make a significant improvement in this regard. These include onions and garlic, eggs and their derivatives, spices, coffee and alcohol, legumes, carbonated drinks. It should also be borne in mind that chewing gum, talking at meals and fast food cause large amounts of air to flow with the food, which can also contribute to gas problems. Patients who have stoma do not really need to follow any special diet, however, as they often have long-term food problems, they should be cautious in reporting the organisms to the food and observing the effects of the product.
mgr Tim Klein
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