Renee documents her food shop and fajita making, chosing healthier options to suit her lifestyle with an ostomy.

1. Eating: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
   Try eating new foods in small portions to see if you can handle them. Keep a journal on the foods that work for you and ones that don't.
   
2. Liquids: Don't Wait to Hydrate
   Drink water and other liquids regularly—eight to ten glasses a day. Keep an eye out for the symptoms of dehydration, such as dizziness or dry mouth, or if your urine is discolored.
   
3. Meals: More is More
   Eating four to six smaller meals throughout the day may work better for you than the traditional three. Eat your largest meal around midday to decrease the amount of stool output at night. And be sure to include protein.
   
4. Go Easy on the Gas
   Certain foods are notorious for causing gas and odor for people living with an ostomy. Broccoli, for example. Here are a few more that may surprise you.
   
   -Chewing gum. You swallow air when chewing gum, which goes into your digestive tract and can cause gas.
   -Drinking with a straw. You also swallow air when you drink through a straw.
   -Soy milk. Sure, it’s healthy, but it can also be gassy.
5. Unpleasant Odors? Try These:
   
   -Cranberry juice
   -Yogurt
   -Diamonds™ Gelling Sachets with ActiveOne™ Odor Control can help solidify liquid contents and eliminate excess gas.

Need to keep a food diary? Check out the My Ostomy Journey App.

Conveniently track ostomy-related activities without the hassle of keeping up with traditional paper checklists or diaries.

• Log what you eat and which foods work best for your body
• Keep track of your daily fluid intake
• Track your pouch changes

1. Huntsman Cancer Institute. Preventing Dehydration After Your Ileostomy Patient Education. http://healthcare.utah.edu/huntsmancancerinstitute/cancer-information/resources/factsheetpdfs/ileostomy-care-patient.pdf. Accessed September 1, 2016