Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s time for ostomates everywhere to join in on the festive fun without any worries. Halloween is a social time of getting together with friends, families and children to take part in part of the fun activities such as trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and haunted attractions, as well as creative pursuits such as hosting costume parties, decorating and crafting DIY costumes.
Some simple steps before you venture out, door knocking for sweet treats can help avoid issues with your stoma. For Halloween, ostomates should choose their snacks wisely and be aware of what they are eating. Keep warm and staying safe at night is also important, planning your route in the dark, wearing costumes which are visible and staying together for safety.
Safe and sensible snacks for ostomates
Low-Fiber Sweets: Opt for soft, plain candies like marshmallows, gummies, or chocolate (in moderation).
Desserts: Plain cake, jelly, and puddings are good options for easy digestion.
Smooth Snacks: Consider dips like hummus, salsa, or mashed avocado (without excessive spice or chunky bits), and smooth peanut butter on oatcakes.
Fruits: Bananas, ripe melons, and applesauce are typically well-tolerated.
Other Ideas: Air-popped popcorn with light seasoning, and plain biscuits or muffins without nuts or dried fruit can also be safe choices.
Limiting sugary snacks
Sugar can cause a number of health issues over time, including obesity, tooth decay and damage to the immune system.
For an ostomate, too much sugar can lead to bloating, constipation or diarrhoea (irregular bowel movements). This is because excess sugar can throw off your digestion cycle.
There are other potential effects, for example, jelly sweets can cause stool output to thicken due to the intake of gelatin. All of this can cause children (and adults) to end up feeling rather sick after gorging on sweet treats at Halloween.
The old saying rings true once again, moderation is the key. Salts and sugars can actually be beneficial in moderation, helping to replace minerals that are lost through stoma output.
Important Considerations
Know Your Body: Pay attention to what foods have caused problems in the past and avoid them.
Portion Control: Enjoy smaller portions of any new or rich foods to minimize digestive upset.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water or still-flavoured water to help with digestion and overall comfort.
Pre-cut or blend: If you’re concerned about certain candies, consider cutting or blending them to make them easier to digest.
Chew Thoroughly: Chewing food completely before swallowing aids digestion and helps prevent blockages.
Avoid Stringy/Gritty Foods: Be cautious with foods that are tough, stringy, or gritty, as these can be harder to digest.
Top tip:
Another idea that many parents with children who have strict dietary restrictions use is to drop off non-sugary treats at neighbouring houses and ask them to give those to your child instead. Healthy snacks, such as fruit or nuts might be an option, or perhaps a small toy. This means that your child can get involved in the Halloween fun without you fearing a hefty bag of sugar.
Staying comfortable at night and what to wear
This is the time of year you can really have fun with what to wear. Lots of costume ideas involve baggy fitting costumes which cover your body and can hide your stoma well. Loose-fitting costumes: Robes, capes, tunics, or oversized shirts (like witches, wizards, ghosts, pirates, or zombies) are perfect for disguising your pouch without restrictions. Armor or props: Knights, robots, or superheroes with chest plates or belts can give you coverage while looking intentional Onesie costumes: Pyjama-style costumes (animals, skeletons, pumpkins) are comfortable and give full coverage.
Keeping warm is important at this time of year and another bonus of big baggy clothes is being able to wear layers underneath to keep warm! Try woolly jumpers and thick tights beneath outfits. Try something high vis or glow sticks so you can be seen.
