Nutrition Guildelines

High Output Ostomy

Nutrition Guidelines -High Output Ostomy

Some tips and guidelines for patients who have an output of more than 1000 mLs ( 4 cups)a day.

Remember: Never take medications for constipation or diarrhea without checking with your doctor first.

• Drink at least 2 L ( 8 cups) of a liquid throughout the day.  The 2 L does not include averages that contain caffeine (e.g. coffee, strong tea or cola), as these cause your body to lose fluid.

• Oral electrolyte solutions such as Cera-lyte or Pedialyte may be indicated.
• Avoid foods that are high in sugar, as they may increase output.

• Avoid foods that increase output such as grapes, raw peaches, raw strawberries, raisins, prune or prune juices and highly seasoned foods.

• Choose more soluble fiber foods like dried beans, as lentils, is cooked carrots, cauliflower, psyllium, peeled fruits like apples, pears, or just without the membrane and bananas barley and oatmeal.

• Avoid insoluble fiber foods like wheat bran, whole-wheat common skins of fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, dried fruit tough skin like on peas and corn.

• With high output loss of both sodium and potassium are a concern. Try to include lots of foods and drinks high in each of these.

Good sources of sodium are table salts, canned soups and broth, salted crackers and canned vegetables. 

Good sources of potassium are orange juice, tomato juice, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, squash and milk.