Halloween is a time for dressing up, carving pumpkins, watching scary films and, of course, enjoying some of our favourite Halloween treats.
But if you have a stoma, you might find yourself wondering: Can I still eat the foods I enjoy at Halloween?
The short answer is yes. Having a stoma doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favourite foods. There isn’t one universal “stoma diet” that everyone needs to follow. Your tolerance to different foods will depend on you, your type of stoma and how your body responds.
So, whether you’re enjoying a quiet Halloween at home or heading to a spooky party, here’s our guide to some classic Halloween foods and how they might fit into your diet.
Halloween favourites decoded
Toffee apples
Few foods are more closely associated with Halloween (and then Bonfire Night) than the humble toffee apple.
The good news is that you can eat fruit with a stoma, and including a variety of fruit in your diet is important. However, some parts of fruit – including skins, seeds, pips and pith – can be harder to digest and may contribute to a blockage in some people.
If you’re concerned about this, you may wish to remove the skin, pips and other tougher parts before coating your toffee apple.
It’s also worth remembering that fruit is generally high in fibre. For some people, eating more fibre can result in looser stools. This might be helpful if you’re experiencing constipation, but may be something to consider if you already have loose or high stoma output.
If you’ve eaten apples comfortably before, there’s no reason a toffee apple has to be off the Halloween menu. Just take your time, chew your food thoroughly and listen to your body.
Pumpkin
Pumpkins are everywhere at Halloween – from pumpkin carving to pumpkin soup and roasted pumpkin dishes.
You can eat vegetables with a stoma, but some vegetables can be more difficult to digest than others. Raw vegetables and leafy greens are commonly reported by ostomates as foods that can cause problems, although everyone’s tolerance is different.
Therefore, you don’t necessarily need to avoid pumpkin. Instead, try introducing it gradually and see how your body responds. You may also find that boiling, steaming, roasting or mashing pumpkin makes it easier for you to tolerate, whilst still helping you get your five-a-day.
So that said, pumpkin make a great addition to a Halloween or cosy autumnal meal – whether that’s blended into a warming soup, roasted alongside your dinner or mashed into a comforting side dish.
What about pumpkin seeds?
One thing to be more cautious about is pumpkin seeds.
Seeds of all kinds, including pumpkin, can be difficult for some people with a stoma to digest. Seeds have been known to cause stoma blockages, so you may wish to avoid them.
Sweets
What’s Halloween without a bowl of sweets??
If you enjoyed sweets before having a stoma, there’s generally no reason why you can’t continue to enjoy them afterwards. This includes many of those classic Halloween favourites, from jelly worms to fizzy sweets and chewy treats.
However, as with any sugary snack, moderation is key.
You may also find that eating a large amount of sugary food in one go affects your stoma output, as some contain ingredients such as sugar alcohols, which can have a laxative effect.
So, rather than working your way through the entire Halloween stash in one evening, enjoy a few of your favourites and save the rest for another day.
Chocolate
Chocolate is another Halloween favourite – and yes, you can still enjoy it with a stoma.
Whether you’re a fan of chocolate bars, chocolate buttons or fun-sized classics, there’s no need to automatically remove them from your diet.
As always, moderation is important. Pay attention to how your body responds and enjoy the chocolate you like as part of a varied diet.
Biscuits and cupcakes
Halloween biscuits and spooky cupcakes can be a fun addition to a Halloween party or a cosy night in.
Whether they’re decorated as ghosts, pumpkins, bats or monsters, these treats can be enjoyed in the same way as other sugary snacks.
If you’re making your own, you could even get creative with your decorations and make them part of your Halloween activities.
Remember, having a stoma doesn’t mean you need to completely overhaul your diet. If you could enjoy these foods before your surgery and they continue to agree with you, there’s no reason you can’t continue to include them.
Bonfire toffee
Bonfire toffee is traditionally associated with Bonfire Night, but it often makes an appearance during the Halloween season too.
Like other sugary snacks, you can enjoy it in moderation if it agrees with you.
Because bonfire toffee is particularly hard and sticky, take care when eating it and avoid biting off large pieces. Letting it soften rather than trying to break it into large pieces with your teeth may also be more comfortable.
Don’t forget to stay hydrated
Whatever you’re eating this Halloween, don’t forget about fluids.
Staying hydrated is particularly important, especially if you have a fluidic or high output stoma.
Keep a drink nearby throughout your Halloween activities and remember that sugary foods and drinks aren’t a substitute for good hydration.
If you regularly experience high output or have concerns about dehydration, speak to your stoma care nurse or another healthcare professional for personalised advice.
Your stoma, your diet
One of the most important things to remember is that there is no single diet that works for every ostomate.
You may find that certain foods affect you differently from someone else with a stoma. Something that causes problems for one person may be completely fine for another.
Rather than automatically cutting foods out, it can be helpful to introduce them gradually and pay attention to how your body responds. Keeping a food diary can also help you identify patterns if you’re unsure about a particular food.
If you’ve recently had your surgery, your dietary needs may be different whilst you’re recovering. Follow the advice you’ve been given by your healthcare team and speak to your stoma care nurse or dietitian if you’re unsure about introducing particular foods.
Have a happy Halloween
Having a stoma shouldn’t mean missing out on the things you enjoy.
Whether your perfect Halloween involves a toffee apple, a few of your favourite sweets, a slice of spooky cake, homemade pumpkin soup or simply a cosy night in with a film, there’s plenty of room for enjoyment.
The most important thing is to find what works for you.
So, this Halloween, don’t let worries about your diet stop you from joining in. Enjoy your favourite foods in moderation, stay hydrated, chew your food well and listen to your body.
Because Halloween is for everyone – stomas included.
Remember: This information is for guidance and does not replace advice given by your healthcare professional.
