The Best Superfoods for ostomy Health

There are some digestive challenges for those with ostomies, especially since there is the accumulation of gas and odor to worry about, which can impair your private and social life, which also might create physical and mental health challenges.

Ostomy disrupts the digestive process, especially if it causes nutritional deficiencies that if not managed properly can negatively impact your life. Superfoods are some of the best things for you to have, and here, we’ll highlight the role of these for ostomy health.

Superfoods are mostly plant-based foods, renowned for their nutritional density, and although superfoods are not restricted to criteria or factors to qualify as a superfood, the health benefits of certain foods do stand out, so it’s important for those with digestive issues, especially after surgeries such as ostomies, to figure out what to do.  Here, we’ll highlight the best superfoods to create great ostomy health.

First, we have barley.

Barley is a high value food for ostomates, since it contains folic acid, and vitamin B6. It also contains minerals including calcium, potassium, and magnesium. The fiber is good too to help with intestinal obstruction. It does bind with water to help slow down the digestive process, and it can help with colonic flora which will help with resolving the abnormalities in the mucosa in those with ulcerative colitis.  It also will help with lowering cholesterol levels, and blood pressure too. Barley is a superfood that shouldn’t’ be discounted, since it does work wonders, and helps with many different aspects of this.

Chia o chia seeds are another great ostomate superfood. It’s great because of the fiber content which helps with constipation. There is also plant based omega 3s which will help with the bones, brain, and the heart of course.  This is good because it has a higher protein content than most cereals and grains.  This is soluble, and also has insoluble fiber in it.

Bananas are filled with a bunch of potassium, but for ostomates, it helps in another way.  It is good for those ostomates with a liquid discharge, since this can be used for those with hyperacidity issues, and of course will help to balance out the fluid and electrolyte balance.  This can help with digestive health, and of course weight control too.

Sprouts are a superfood that people normally don’t’ talk about. This is one of the best cause it contains nutrients that are readily available in much higher levels than typical seeds, where it contains a source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and of course, essential supplements. They’re highly nutritious, contain lots of protein, reduces starches in the body, and it can help control flatulence better than other legumes do.  This also helps with improving the bacteria in the gut, and it can help to prevent the proliferation of toxins and harmful organisms that cause food poisoning.

Finally, there is kelp.  This contains iodine, which is necessary for our thyroid, and for our metabolism too.  It’s called edible seaweed, and full of a bunch of healthy vitamins and minerals that you should definitely look into.

Superfoods should be a part of your diet but understand that a lot of these can affect the acidity of the body, so make sure that you don’t’ overeat these.  As an ostomate, it’s good to consider these, but also tomatoes, garlic, onions, nutritional yeast, fatty fish, coconut, eggs, blueberries, and also sweet potatoes. Remember, your nutrition matters as an ostomate, and if you’re not taking control of it already, that’s something you should definitely consider doing.