It’s Nutrition and Hydration Week (14th-20th June 2021), which is an annual event created to “highlight, promote and celebrate improvements in the provision of nutrition and hydration locally, nationally and globally.”

As we know, nutrition and how to keep hydrated are important topics for all with a stoma or with continence issues, so this week we would like to share with you some of our previous top tips from our team of Stoma Nurses and customers, on taking care of your diet and nutrition. Enjoy!

 

Top tips from our nurses…

 

 

 

Top tips from ostomates…

 

Keith’s top tips

💧 “If you have a watery output from your stoma, then you must drink as much fluid as you are loosing, if not more. Dehydration is a killer and needs to be taken seriously.”

 

Keith also recommends keeping a sachet or two of a rehydration salt mixture, such as Dioralyte, in your emergency kit just in case.

 

 

We also have an insightful blog written by Keith all about food choices with an ostomy, check it out here!

 

 

 

 

Laura’s top tips

🍎 “After surgery you may be on a low residue (low fibre) diet until your bowel and stoma settle down. It is important to try to eat a balanced diet when you are advised to after surgery. Pureed soups are a good source of vegetable if you have output issues with large pieces of vegetables.”

“After exercise, in warm climates or after an upset stomach it is important to replace electrolytes, sports drinks are good for this.” ☀️

“If you regularly feel tired once you have fully recovered from surgery, see your GP. It could be that you are lacking a vitamin (often ones such as B12) or low in iron due to your body not absorbing all the good properly. This can affect any ostomate, but particularly people with an ileostomy.”

🍉 “Staying hydrated, especially in hot climates is so important, particularly for those with ileostomies or urostomies where a lot of fluid is lost without being absorbed by the body.” Laura recommends drinking not only water but drinks such as fruit squash to give your body the things it needs. 

 

Alannah-Jayne’s top tips

☕ “Try to avoid caffeinated things as this can cause an upset stomach alongside dehydration – energy drinks are bad for your tummy!”

“Eating too much fibre can cause a very watery output, make sure to eat some carbs! Also, try to limit the amount of seeds, nuts and popcorn that you eat as these can cause blockages.”

Alannah-Jayne also recommends drinking a rehydration mixture if you have been out running or walking, or in the sun for a long time to help replenish the salts and sugars that are not replaced by drinking water: “These drinks are handy to keep hydrated if you’re experiencing a blockage – you could also try drinking fibre juices to help with blockages too.” 🚶‍♀️

🥩 “Red meat can be hard to digest, so when eating it make sure it is thoroughly cooked.”

“Sports drinks are also great to sip if you are feeling lacking in sugar!”

 

 

We hope you have enjoyed our latest blog post and found the tips from our nurse team useful. Make sure to take care of yourself this Nutrition and Hydration week, and if you have any topics you’d like us to cover leave us a comment below!

 

 For more information on our award-winning service, click here or give us a call! If you would like to learn more about our #BeTheChange campaign or get involved click here.

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