Ostomates’ nutritional requirements
The body is host to millions of chemical reactions everyday, so as to allow the organs to function properly, the cells to be renewed and different substances to be made among other things.(2)
As an ostomate, dietary advice is an important aspect to be taken into consideration as in some cases having a diet which is not adapted to your new situation can lead to some digestive tract irritation issues(1). As far as the digestive tube is an organ which is intented to absorb food, vitamins, minerals and water, a stoma surgery brings some changes on this normal process and has an impact on the nutritional absorption and excretion of food.
Therefore, adopting a new diet is necessary to keep insofar as possible the frequency, consistency and amount of stool which will contribute in helping you to retrieve a normal life(1). Adopting new eating habits can help you to avoid malnutrition problems which are often observed in cases where ostomates are not well advised.
General healthy eating recommendation for ostomates
- It is important to eat a well-balanced diet to obtain all necessary vitamins, minerals and calories needed for a good health.(1) (2)
- Add one new food at a time in your diet in order to observe its potential side effects.(1) (2)
- Eat at regular intervals. Skipping meals increase the incidence of stools and gas.(1) (2)
- Avoid dairy products during the first stage after your stoma surgery if you noticed great gas emission, bloating and diarrhea after food which contains lactose.(1) (2)
- While eating, chew your food throughly. Cutting the food into small bites may also improve tolerance.(1) (2)
- Starches being the food that have an optimal capacity to be absorbed and that are essential for our energy production, it is necessary to have some at each meal.(2)
References: 1) Nutrition in stoma patients: A Practical View of Dietary Therapy. G. Akbulut, 2011, International Journal of Hematology and Oncology. 2) Dr. Philippe Fauqué, Nutritionist & Head of Clinical Nutrition Unit, Institut Polyclinique de Cannes, Cannes, France.
B. Braun supports the World Ostomy Day
The World Ostomy Day which is celebrated every three years has as main objective to raise awareness on different particular subjects which affect the life of ostomates.
Being an important actor on the stoma care market, this year B. Braun has decided to highlight the importance of nutrition in patient care. Knowing that 40% (in Germany up to 60%) of patients in hospitals are malnourished, we can state that nutrition is unfortunately not considered as so important in patient care which afterwards leads to huge complications and affects patients' healing process.(3) For ostomates, nutrition is essential as the removal of part of their bowel decreases their absorption capacity and therefore modifies their eating habits.
Reference: 3) Le Manifeste de lutte contre la dénutrition, 2016
The importance of nutrition for ostomates
-
Interview with Dr. Philippe Fauqué
On this occasion, we have interviewed Dr. Philippe Fauqué, a French nutritionist and Head of Clinical Nutrition Unit at the Institut Polyclinique de Cannes (France) in order to know at which stage during the patients' hospital stay he introduces the nutrition subject to them and what are his main advice to people having a stoma.
-
Discover the story of Marek Lichota
Marek Lichota a former ostomate encountered us his story regarding the different nutritional issues that he had to face during his hospital stay after his stoma surgery. Discover his main diet recommendations to people having an ostomy.
-