Diet for a blocked bowel
A blocked bowel (also known as bowel obstruction) is a possible complication of ovarian cancer. This can happen for several reasons.
As the tumour grows it can press on the bowel, causing a blockage. Sticky tissue called adhesions can form after surgery and can stop food passing down the gut.
If you have experienced or are at risk of a blocked bowel, you may be advised to eat less fibre. This is known as a fibre-restricted diet or a low residue diet.
This sort of diet may not be suitable for you. If you are not sure whether this applies to you, please check with your doctor or specialist cancer dietitian.
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What is a fibre-restricted diet?
This type of diet includes low-fibre foods and a reduced amount of fruit, vegetables and wholemeal products. The lists at the end of this booklet give examples of foods you should avoid and foods which are allowed.
Why should I eat less fibre?
Fibre (also called roughage) is the part of food that you do not digest which passes down into the lower part of the gut where harmless bacteria ferment it and produce gas (wind).
Eating less fibre will reduce the amount of waste you produce and, as a result, ease symptoms such as bloating and stomach pains. It may also reduce the risk of your bowel becoming blocked.
Will this type of diet work?
It is difficult to study the possible benefits of a fibre-restricted diet for a blocked bowel. Most of the evidence to suggest this type of diet is helpful comes from the experience of doctors, nurses and dietitians working with people with ovarian cancer.
This type of diet is not suitable or necessary for all people with ovarian cancer. It is likely only to be a benefit if you have or are at risk of a blocked bowel.
What about constipation?
A fibre-restricted diet still contains some fibre. If you are worried about being constipated, talk to your doctor as you may need laxatives. For our bowels to work properly, it is important to have enough to drink. We normally need about eight to 10 cups of fluid each day (two litres a day).
What about vitamins and minerals?
When some foods are limited in your diet, it can be difficult to make sure you get the right amount of vitamins and minerals. It may be necessary to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement.
There are lots of supplements available in chemists, health food shops and supermarkets. A dietitian can give you advice about whether you need to take supplements, and they can also recommend which type to buy.
What if the diet is too difficult to follow?
As part of a healthy diet, we are all being encouraged to eat more fibre. Like many people who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may have been eating lots of fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread and high-fibre breakfast cereals. So, a fibre-restricted diet can be completely different to your normal diet.
If you are finding it difficult to follow a fibre-restricted diet, ask for a referral to a dietitian who can give you further advice on suitable food choices.
Fibre-restricted diet guidance
Below is a guide for the food that you can eat and the food you should avoid if you want to follow a fibre-restricted diet.
You can have:
You should avoid:
Fruit and vegetables
You can have:
Ripe, peeled and cored apples, pears, peaches, apricots and melon.
Fruit juice (no bits)
Pureed, stewed, tinned or cooked fruit (without skins, pips or stones), smooth fruit sauces and coulis with pips removed
Peeled and well-cooked potato, carrots, turnips, swede, marrow, beetroot, cauliflower florets, broccoli florets, ripe avocado
You should avoid:
Fruit with skins, pips or seeds, such as strawberries, citrus fruit, gooseberries, rhubarb
Fruit juice with bits, Tomato and prune juice.
All dried fruit
Peas, pulses, celery, radishes, cucumber, spring onions, sweet corn, cabbage, brussels sprouts, vegetable stalks, cauliflower and broccoli stalks, tomatoes, leeks.
All vegetable skins, pips, seeds, stalks and peel
Sweets and snacks
You can have:
Sweets, chocolate, cakes, biscuits without fruit or nuts and coconut
Crisps, pretzels, cheese twists
You should avoid:
Rough-cut marmalade, jam with pips
Sweets, chocolate, cakes, biscuits with dried fruit, nuts or coconut
Popcorn, Tortilla crisps
Other
You can have:
Condiments e.g. tomato ketchup, sweet chilli sauce, brown sauce, barbeque sauce, mayonnaise, smooth mustard
Tea, coffee, malted drinks, hot chocolate, squash, Oxo, Bovril, salt and pepper
You should avoid
Pickles and chutney, Wholegrain mustard, Coleslaw
Did you find this page helpful?
We welcome your feedback. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email r.grigg@ovacome.org.uk or call 0207 299 6653.
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