By Nadia Maffucci Di Rienzo, Ostomy Canada Ambassador

Food has always been more than just food for me.

After living with IBD for 25 years, I spent a lot of time thinking about what I ate, how it might make
me feel, and whether I would pay for that choice later. When you have lived with digestive disease
for so long, it can be difficult to simply sit down and enjoy a meal without thinking about what might
happen afterward.

Getting my ostomy at 40 changed many things, including my relationship with food. But just like
everything else that comes with an ostomy, figuring out what worked for me took time.

And I think that is one of the most important things we can remind each other, especially around the
holidays. There is no perfect ostomy diet. What works beautifully for one person may not work for
another. The goal is not to be afraid of food. It is to get to know your body.

Learning My New Normal

After ostomy surgery, eating can feel a little intimidating. Suddenly you are paying attention to
things you may never have thought about before. Will this increase my output? Will that cause gas?
Can I still eat my favourite foods?

Over time, I learned to approach food with curiosity instead of fear.

I started figuring out which foods worked well for me, which ones I needed to be a little more careful
with, and which ones I was comfortable enjoying in smaller amounts. I also learned that how I eat
can be just as important as what I eat.

Chewing food thoroughly, for example, is something my medical team recommended, particularly
when introducing foods that may be harder to digest. It sounds simple but slowing down and paying
attention to how I eat has become part of taking care of myself, especially since I tend to be a fast
eater!

When the Holiday Table Is Full

The holidays can make navigating food with an ostomy feel a little more complicated.

There are big meals, appetizers everywhere, desserts you only see once a year, and family recipes
that carry memories and traditions. I do not believe having an ostomy means we should sit on the
sidelines while everyone else enjoys them.

Instead, I rely on what I already know about my body.

If there is a food I know works for me, I enjoy it. If something is unfamiliar or I am unsure how my
ostomy will respond, I may try a smaller portion rather than filling my plate with it. If I know a
particular food tends to affect my output, I keep that in mind when deciding when and how much of
it I want to eat.

For me, that is what managing an ostomy is about. It is not necessarily saying no. It is being
informed enough about my own body to make choices that allow me to participate and enjoy
myself.

Pay Attention to Patterns

One of the best things you can do when figuring out food after ostomy surgery is simply pay
attention.

You do not need an elaborate tracking system. Notice what happens when you introduce something
new. How does your output change? Do you experience more gas? Did the food seem difficult to
digest? How did you feel afterward?

At the beginning, I found that keeping a simple food diary helped in identifying patterns between
what I ate and how my body responded.

That information gives you something incredibly valuable: confidence.

Mindset and perspective is EVERYTHING. Instead of wondering, Can someone with an ostomy eat
this?, the question gradually becomes, Does this food work for me?

There is a big difference.

Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy Food

I try not to label foods as simply “good” or “bad.” Instead, I pay attention to what my body needs
and adjust along the way. There are times when I am more cautious and other times when I feel
comfortable being a little more adventurous.

Having an ostomy has taught me that adapting is not the same as restricting myself. It is about
having enough experience and confidence to make choices that feel right for me in that moment.
There may be foods you decide are not worth it. There may be others you discover you can enjoy
without any issue at all. And your experience will not necessarily look like someone else’s.

If you are newly navigating life with an ostomy, give yourself time to learn. Start with foods you are
comfortable with. Introduce unfamiliar foods gradually. Chew well. Stay mindful of hydration. If you
have questions about your individual nutritional needs, speak with your ostomy care team or a
dietitian.

And if something does not go as planned? I learn from it and move on. Not every uncomfortable
experience means a food needs to be crossed off the list forever.

From Fear to Freedom

After so many years of IBD, one of the greatest gifts my ostomy has given me is the opportunity to
experience life differently.

That includes food.

I still pay attention to my body. I still make choices based on what I know works for me. But those
choices come from experience rather than fear.

So, this holiday season, my advice is simple: know your body, trust what you have learned, and
give yourself permission to enjoy the moments that matter.

Maybe that means having a smaller serving of something you love. Maybe it means bringing a dish
you know you can comfortably enjoy. Maybe it is finally trying a food you have been nervous about.
An ostomy changes the way our bodies work, but it does not have to take away the joy of gathering
around a table with the people we love.

And sometimes, finding what works for you is less about following a list of rules and more about
learning to trust yourself again.

That is a kind of freedom worth celebrating.

Disclaimer: The information shared by Ostomy Canada Society is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every person’s ostomy experience is unique. Please consult your health care provider with any questions about your condition, care, or treatment plan.