You will have little or no output if you stop eating, but starving yourself or limiting liquids to avoid producing waste is dangerous. Never restrict fluid intake – the consequences of dehydration are severe for an ostomate. Sticking to regular mealtimes can help you learn your body’s behaviour patterns and anticipate the times when your output is lowest. Some people eat less at certain times of the day or evening to help make their stoma less active. However, skipping meals will not stop ileostomy output and can produce more gas than eating regular meals. Ileostomies and urostomies will always have output.

Some foods do produce more waste than others. Cellulose is the chief component of plants, so it stands to reason that consumption of most fruits and vegetables will increase output. Refined grains such as white rice or white bread produce relatively little residue, as do things like eggs, cheese or chicken. Examples of foods that thicken or slow output are oatmeal, peanut butter, marshmallows and bananas. Drinking large amounts of fluids will not affect stool output; it will increase urine output. You cannot control your ostomy completely with a selective diet.