Beans for Chili After Colostomy Surgery

Fiancé had a colostomy surgery 2 months ago; she is craving chili. What kind of beans can I put in it that won't pose an issue with plugging her ostomy up?

I was told to avoid beans entirely for the first 3 months after surgery while the bowel recovered. After the 3 months, I don't think there are any limitations with a colostomy unless you have unwanted side effects.

Let her try a small amt. and see how it goes; also, chew them a lot. Enjoy.

Like Ron said, once you have a while with the ostomy for a while, the big thing is chew-chew. Having an ostomy for 40 some years, I haven't had any issues. But everyone is different. So try a little at first.

Good luck.

I don't have a colostomy. I have an ileostomy, but I love chili, and unfortunately, sometimes the beans give me problems. I had mine for almost 4.5 years now. I'd wait until it's healed a little longer, and you will hear it a lot. Chew, chew, chew, and slowly work in things to see how they'll digest. Like a few have said, everyone's different. I can eat pickles only if the skin isn't too thick, and I have to be very careful with mushrooms. Popcorn is no problem, but for some, it's a no-go. If still craving that chili, try beanless for now. I know it's not the same, but it's better than nothing. Trust me, I also became diabetic due to complications that led me to getting my ostomy, so I do compromise things, and you'd be surprised what you can make your brain think.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

It's too soon to have beans or chili. The last thing she wants is a blockage. The stoma just got done being swollen. She should try something else first, take it slow. Everything is going to be new all over. And if she gets cramping when trying anything, have her stop eating it and take a break.

Just don't put beans in it for now. It'll also save any issues about a blockage that's been mentioned, even though with a colostomy it's not nearly the concern like it is with someone with an ileostomy. Her biggest concern will be gas and the bag filling up with gas (air).

I agree with Alex. No beans in the chili for now. Have beanless chili; it will curb the craving a little. Give it another month or two. The spice in the chili will be challenge enough right now.

She can take comfort in knowing that eventually she can probably eat anything she wants. Colostomies are much less restrictive than ileostomies. Add foods back one at a time. Save the more problematic foods, like beans and nuts, for last. And chew well.

If I were you, I'd ask her doctor if it were okay to give her beans first!
My first meal (well, soup) when I first had my ileostomy 28 years ago was pea and ham - and I ended up in so much pain it felt worse than the actual surgery. I used to love beans, but when I could still eat solid food, I avoided them at all costs.
It is possible to make a chili dish without using beans, though.

Just because an ostomate craves something does not necessarily make it a good choice. And if your fiancé only had her surgery 2 months ago, I would not give her something that could not only cause her a lot of gas but also give her a lot of pain.

Find out first from a dietician or her doctor what she should and should not eat.
Experiment with one food product at a time by giving her only a very small amount, so she can see how her bowel reacts.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/colostomy-diet

This might help to start her off with.

Gracie

Leave the beans out. Hopefully not too much spice either.

Better safe than sorry, but I guess not all feel that way. There are a lot of my favorites I can no longer eat, but I figure it's better than pain or a blockage. I love beans, but can't have them now. Life goes on.

Thanks all for your input. I think we will hold off a little longer until we try it and let her heal more.

G-Day Jwilson,

If you have a lot of time and really love your fiancé and want to solve her craving, you could peel every bean and make her very happy. See you in a few weeks.

Regards, IGGIE

Very well said—good info.

I agree, having had an ileostomy for over 40 years, you will need time, and each person's ostomies are a little different, so what some people can do, others may not.

Take care.

You have an enzyme supplement, Beano, available in the US - I bought a version in CVS called Beanaid, I think, when I was over there a couple of years ago. I found it brilliant for reducing wind/gas in the bag. It might be worth trying once chili is back on the menu.

If a stoma person eats beans and/or chili, take two Beano enzyme pills on the first bite. There will be very little gas!

Skip the beans!!! Real chili doesn't have beans! lol (if anyone watches Yellowstone, you'll get the reference)

Try green beans, a perfect substitute.

I use the chili beans from Brooks. Comes in a bluish can in either mild or hot. They are softer than kidney beans. I have an ileostomy. Never had a problem with them.

I'm not a fan of dry kidney beans, so I just add normal 'baked beans', you know, the ones in a can with molasses, etc. They don't have thick skin. BUT yes, chew them well! And maybe don't put as many in, and maybe she can just take some out and just have a couple in the chili.

I'm not a fan of dry kidney beans, so I just add normal 'baked beans,' you know, the ones in a can with molasses, etc. They don't have thick skin. But yes, chew them well! And maybe don't put as many in, and maybe she can just take some out and just have a couple in the chili.

We did no-bean chili at first, and then I reheated chili with beans after it sat overnight in the fridge. Nice and soft. We mix kidney and pinto beans. The first time, a lot of gas. The second time, and ever since, Beano helped. And, as everyone says, chew, chew, chew.

FYI, I also eat green chilis sometimes with just white cheese (queso blanco). I roast freshly harvested Hatch in summer and freeze 5-10 to a bag with skins still on them. To eat, I peel the skins off and pull the stem under running water. Water also rinses away seeds and defrosts them. That way, I can snack on a couple of Sandia's or Big Jim's with cheese or add to a chili bowl anytime I'm in the mood. No ileo issues.

Beans don't belong in chili. There you go. Problem solved. Lol. I would say don't eat a lot of 'em and chew them well.

I happen to agree with you; I never put beans in chili. But my husband strenuously disagrees.

We have a mixed household. 🤣

Politics too! Lots of patience are necessary around here. Lol

Try putting the beans in a food processor and then add the blitzed beans to the chili; that way you get all the flavor but not the issue of beans causing a blockage.