Food guide for after bowel cancer treatment

Foods that stimulate the bowel Back to top

Eating less of these foods may help if you have problems with diarrhoea|, soft stools or frequent bowel movements. Eating more of them may be helpful if you have constipation|:

• some types of fruit (fresh, tinned or dried), particularly: grapes, fruits with stones such as apricots, plums, peaches and prunes and most berry fruits except blueberries
• fruit juices - such as prune, orange, apple and grape juices
• vegetables and pulses - especially beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, peas, cabbage, garlic, onions, peppers, spinach and sweetcorn
• bran and foods high in insoluble fibre - such as wholemeal bread and high-fibre breakfast cereals including muesli and bran flakes
• spices such as chilli and curry
• caffeine in coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cola and in some energy drinks
• nuts, linseeds and popcorn
• sugar-free foods containing sorbitol, mannitol or xylitol - such as sugar-free chewing gum, some mints, sweeteners and diet drinks
• alcohol - especially beer and red wine.

Foods that may cause wind Back to top

• vegetables and pulses - especially beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, garlic, onions, peppers, spinach and sweetcorn
• beer and fizzy drinks
• chewing gum
• nuts
• sorbitol - a type of sugar found in some artificial sweeteners, some sugar-free foods and in apples, pears and peaches.

Foods that may help wind or bloating Back to top

• peppermint oil (you can get capsules from the pharmacy or have it prescribed by your doctor)
• live yoghurts or probiotic drinks.

Foods that may help make bowel motions firmer Back to top

Reducing the amount of fibre in your diet is likely to help make your bowel motions firmer. Including the following foods in your diet may help:

• bananas
• potatoes
• white bread (not high-fibre)
• white rice
• pasta (not wholemeal).