Can you eat potatoes with an ostomy? A Comprehensive Nutrition Guide

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

With an estimated 725,000 to 1 million people living with an ostomy in the United States, dietary adjustments are a common concern. A frequent question for new and experienced ostomates alike is, "Can you eat potatoes with an ostomy?" The answer is yes, but the key to enjoying them safely lies in careful preparation and listening to your body.

Quick Summary

Ostomy patients can safely consume potatoes if they are peeled and cooked thoroughly. Proper preparation is essential to prevent food blockages, especially in the early weeks after surgery. It is also a versatile food that can help thicken output for patients with a higher output stoma.

Key Points

Proper Preparation is Key: Always peel potatoes completely and cook them until soft to remove indigestible fiber that could cause blockages.
Mashed Potatoes are Recommended: Mashed potatoes are an excellent choice as they are easy to digest and can help thicken stoma output.
Chew Food Thoroughly: Chewing food into a fine consistency is vital for aiding digestion and preventing issues with your stoma.
Reintroduce Gradually: Introduce potatoes in small portions after surgery and monitor your body's reaction before increasing intake.
Monitor High-Output Stomas: For individuals with high-output ileostomies, starchy foods like peeled potatoes are useful for thickening stool.
Sweet Potatoes Are Also an Option: Sweet potatoes are acceptable if peeled and cooked thoroughly, but monitor your intake, especially if prone to kidney stones.

Understanding the Ostomy Diet

Following ostomy surgery, whether a colostomy or ileostomy, your digestive system works differently. For ileostomy patients, where a portion of the small bowel is rerouted, the large intestine's water-absorbing function is bypassed, resulting in looser, more liquid output. In both cases, the goal is a balanced diet that provides essential nutrients while minimizing digestive stress and the risk of complications, such as a food blockage.

The Role of Potatoes in an Ostomy Diet

Potatoes are a valuable source of carbohydrates, energy, and certain vitamins. When prepared correctly, they are considered a low-fiber, easy-to-digest food, making them suitable for many ostomates. In fact, plain potatoes, especially mashed or boiled without the skin, are often recommended for their thickening effect on stoma output.

Proper Preparation is Paramount

When it comes to potatoes, preparation is everything. The fibrous skin of a potato can be difficult to digest and poses a blockage risk, particularly for those with an ileostomy. Always ensure the skin is completely removed before cooking. Cooking the potato until it is very soft also aids digestion and reduces the risk of problems.

Here are some key tips for preparing potatoes:

Peel thoroughly: Remove all of the outer skin to eliminate indigestible fiber.
Cook until soft: Boil, steam, or mash the potato completely until it is tender. Mashing is particularly recommended as it breaks down the starches and fiber.
Eat in moderation: Introduce new foods, including potatoes, in small portions at first to see how your body reacts. You can gradually increase your portion size if you experience no adverse effects.
Chew, chew, chew: Always chew your food slowly and completely to aid digestion and prevent undigested food particles from causing a blockage.

Comparing Safe vs. Risky Potato Dishes


Safe Potato Preparations	Risky Potato Preparations
Mashed Potatoes: Made from peeled, boiled potatoes, mashed with milk or broth.	Potato Skins or Chips with Skin: The tough, high-fiber skin can be a blockage hazard.
Peeled & Boiled Potatoes: Simple and easy to digest, these are a staple of a low-fiber diet.	French Fries (especially restaurant-style): Often fried in excess fat and difficult to chew, large portions can cause issues.
Peeled & Roasted Potatoes: Cut into small, well-cooked chunks, these are generally safe for consumption.	Fried Potato Dishes: High-fat content can irritate the digestive system and cause loose output.
Cream of Potato Soup: If made from peeled, blended potatoes, it's very easy to digest.	Cooling cooked potatoes: Some research suggests cooked and cooled potatoes can ferment in the gut and produce gas for some individuals.

Sweet Potatoes and Other Variations

Sweet potatoes are another excellent option, and like regular potatoes, they are safe for ostomates when properly prepared. Again, the skin should be removed entirely, and the sweet potato should be cooked until very soft. You can mash, bake, or boil them for an easy-to-digest side dish. Keep in mind that sweet potatoes contain higher levels of oxalates, which may be a consideration for patients with an ileostomy who are at a higher risk for kidney stones. If you have concerns, consult your healthcare provider.

Using Potatoes to Manage Output

For ileostomy patients or anyone experiencing loose stool, plain, starchy foods like peeled potatoes can help thicken stoma output. The starches in potatoes can act as a natural binding agent in the digestive tract. Pairing mashed potatoes with other thickening foods, such as bananas, applesauce, or white rice, can be an effective way to manage output consistency.

Dietary Progression After Ostomy Surgery

Initially after surgery, a very bland, low-fiber diet is typically recommended to allow the digestive system to heal. Over time, you can begin to gradually reintroduce a wider variety of foods. This trial-and-error process is crucial for discovering your personal tolerance. A food diary can be a helpful tool for tracking how different foods affect your output, gas, and overall comfort. If a food causes irritation, you can try reintroducing it again later. Always consult your healthcare provider or a stoma nurse before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have a high-output stoma or pre-existing conditions.

Conclusion

For individuals with an ostomy, potatoes can be a safe and nutritious addition to your diet. By adhering to a few key principles—removing the fibrous skin, cooking thoroughly until soft, and chewing food well—you can enjoy this versatile vegetable without unnecessary risk. Incorporating foods like potatoes can also help manage the consistency of your stoma output, improving overall comfort and quality of life. Remember to introduce any new food slowly and monitor your body's reaction. By taking these simple steps, potatoes can remain a satisfying part of your balanced diet after ostomy surgery. For further guidance on nutrition after surgery, resources like the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation offer helpful information (https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/patientsandcaregivers/diet-and-nutrition/surgery-and-nutrition/ostomy-surgery-nutrition).

Frequently Asked Questions

The skin of a potato is high in fiber and can be difficult for a compromised digestive system to break down. This can lead to a food blockage, which is a serious complication for ostomy patients. Removing the skin eliminates this risk.

Yes, sweet potatoes are also safe for ostomy patients, provided the skin is completely removed and they are cooked until very soft. They can be mashed, baked, or boiled, similar to regular potatoes.

Yes, starchy foods like plain potatoes, especially mashed, can help thicken watery or loose stoma output. They are often recommended alongside other binding foods like bananas and white rice for this purpose.

Fried potatoes, such as French fries, are generally not recommended. The high fat content and potential for being undercooked and difficult to chew can irritate the digestive system and cause issues. If you do try them, consume in very small, well-chewed portions.

If you accidentally consume potato skin, be mindful of potential blockage symptoms like severe abdominal cramping, pain, bloating, or a lack of stoma output. Drink plenty of fluids and call your healthcare provider or stoma nurse if you experience these signs.

Yes, you can eat potatoes with an ileostomy, but careful preparation is especially important. Because the ileum is part of the small intestine, it is more susceptible to blockages from tough, high-fiber foods. Always peel and cook potatoes thoroughly.

The best methods are boiling, steaming, or mashing, as these techniques ensure the potato is cooked until very soft and tender. This makes it easier to digest and less likely to cause irritation or a blockage.