Dietary Guidelines For People At Risk Of Developing A Bowel Obstruction

A bowel obstruction is a blockage that prevents food and fluids from passing through your intestines. A bowel obstruction can be caused by many different problems, such as hernias, adhesions, cancer, fecal impaction and bowel diseases.

You know that a bowel obstruction has occurred if you develop abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating and are unable to pass gas or have a bowel movement.

Your doctor has determined that you are at risk for developing a bowel obstruction. Avoiding certain foods may decrease your risk. The following guidelines may be helpful. You will need to follow this diet until your doctor tells you to stop. Some people may need to follow this diet for the rest of their lives.

Fruits

Foods to choose

• Fresh fruit peeled or without skin or seeds
• Apple (without skin)
• Avocado
• Pear (without skin)
• Banana
• All types of melon (no seeds)
• Canned peaches or pears
• Applesauce
• Cooked fruit (without skin or seeds)
• Nectars and juices (without pulp)

Foods to avoid

• Stringy fruits or fruits with skins, seeds or stalks
• Pineapple
• Citrus fruits (e.g. orange, grapefruit or mandarin)
• Kiwi fruit
• Fig
• Berry fruits (e.g. strawberries, blueberries or raspberries)
• Peach
• Nectarine
• Apricot
• Plum
• Persimmon
• Grapes
• Rhubarb
• Juices (with pulp)
• Dried fruit (e.g. dates, dried figs, dried apricots)
• Canned pineapple
• Frozen or thawed berries
• Coconut
• Prunes
• Passionfruit

Eating guidelines

1. Avoid any foods that you cannot tolerate or foods that cause gas, bloating or stomach pain.
2. Always make time for your meals. Do not eat while you are in a hurry. Cut your food into small pieces.
3. Chew your food well. Well-chewed food helps prevent bowel obstructions. Chew each bite a minimum of 20 times.
4. Put your fork or spoon down after each mouthful of food. Swallow completely after each bite.
5. Drink at least eight (8) cups of fluid per day. Fluids include: water, coffee, tea, juice, milk, soups, jelly, pudding, ice cream and yogurt. Keep yourself well hydrated.
6. A daily multivitamin and/or fiber supplements may be recommended if your diet is limited in amounts or variety of foods. Do not take any herbal supplements without checking with your doctor first.
7. Do not ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.
8. Do not take any laxatives or enemas unless you have checked with your doctor first.
9. Set a goal of 200 minutes of cardiovascular activity per week such as walking, jogging, swimming or cycling, as approved by your doctor.
10. Some medications affect bowel movements and can cause constipation. These medications include chemotherapy agents, sedatives, antidepressants and diuretics.

Call your doctor

If you have any of the following signs of a bowel obstruction:

• Feeling of abdominal pressure, pain or bloating
• Abdominal swelling
• A sudden decrease in bowel movements
• Blood in your stool
• Nausea or vomiting

Remember

It is always wise to:

• CHEW your foods well
• EAT SMALL, frequent meals
• DRINK plenty of liquids

This information is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

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Vegetables

Foods to choose

• Vegetables (without skin or seeds)
• Well-cooked or canned vegetables
• Potatoes or sweet potatoes (without skin)
• Pumpkin without skin
• Sweet potato
• Asparagus (tips only)
• Cauliflower (heads only)
• Carrot (peeled)
• Tomato puree or paste (without seeds)
• Vegetable juice

Foods to avoid

• Raw vegetables and vegetables that are stringy or have skins or seeds
• Corn (cooked or raw)
• Mushrooms (cooked or raw)
• Celery
• Beans (all types)
• Peas (all types)
• Cabbage
• All legumes (including chickpeas)
• Lentils
• Asparagus stalks
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower stalks
• Zucchini
• Eggplant
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Cucumber
• Capsicum
• Brussel sprouts
• Bean sprouts
• Bamboo shoots
• Stewed tomatoes
• Potato skins
• Sauerkraut
• Cabbage
• Okra

Breads and grains

Foods to choose

• Plain white breads and rolls
• Plain white tortillas
• Plain sweet or savoury biscuits
• Pancakes
• White rice
• White pasta
• Plain white flour
• Cornflour
• Rice noodles
• Cooked semolina
• Refined breakfast cereals

Foods to avoid

• Breads/rolls with nuts, whole spices, bran, sesame seeds, coarse whole grains, dried fruits or berries
• Cereals with nuts, whole spices, dried fruits, berries or bran
• Biscuits with seeds, nuts or dried fruits
• Oats

Meats and meat substitutes

Foods to choose

• Beef
• Poultry
• Veal
• Lamb
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Eggs
• Smooth peanut butter
• Tofu
• Skinless hot dogs
• Skinless sausage patties (without whole spices)

Foods to avoid

• Avoid skin on chicken and fat or gristle on meats
• Hot dogs
• Sausage links
• Luncheon meats with whole spices or skin (e.g. mortadella with pepper or olives)
• Chunky peanut butter
• Nuts
• Legumes (e.g. lentils, baked beans, soy beans, kidney beans or chickpeas)
• Foul medamas

Dairy

Foods to choose

• Milk
• Cheese
• Laban
• Labneh
• Yoghurt
• Milkshakes
• Pudding
• Ice cream
• Cottage cheese

Foods to avoid

• Dairy products mixed with fresh fruit (except bananas), berries, whole spices, nuts or seeds

Spices and herbs

Foods to choose

• All ground spices (including pepper)
• All ground herbs
• Salt

Foods to avoid

• Whole spices, such as:
  • Peppercorn
  • Whole cloves
  • Anise seeds
  • Celery seeds
  • Rosemary
  • Caraway
  • Seeds
  • Fresh herbs
  • Whole cardammon

Snacks or other foods

Foods to choose

• Sugar
• Honey
• Jelly
• Peanut butter (smooth, not crunchy)
• Nutella
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard
• Oil
• Butter
• Margarine
• Boiled candy
• Marshmallows
• Cookies (without dried fruit or nuts)
• Snack chips and pretzels using refined flours
• Plain chocolate
• Lgeimat (using plain flour and without sesame)
• Muhallabia (without nuts)
• Balaleet (without nuts, raisins or dried fruit)

Foods to avoid

• Jams (with seeds
• Popcorn
• Chocolate (containing nuts, seeds and dried fruit)
• Balaleet (with nuts, raisins or dried fruit)