• Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Cancer Dietitian

Lifestyle tips for prevention and survivorship. Keeping you well beyond cancer!

  • About
    • Meet Julie
    • Speaking & Awards
    • Privacy and Disclosure Policy
  • Blog Articles
    • Recipes
    • Recent Articles
    • Hot Topics
      • GMO Foods Debate
      • Does Sugar Feed Cancer?
      • Organic Foods Discussion
      • Julie’s Favorite Resources
      • Cancer Diets
      • Cancer Prevention
      • Meal Planning
  • Podcast
  • Webinars & Videos
    • Webinars
    • Videos
  • Contact
    • Ask Julie a Question
    • Media Inquiries
    • Request a Speaker
  • Resources
    • Store – Resources for Dietitians – PDF Downloads
    • Julie’s Recommended Books
    • Julie’s Recommended Kitchen Tools
    • Julie’s Favorite Foods

Tips for Combating Cancer Side Effects: Bowel Obstruction

June 6, 2017 By Julie Lanford MPH, RD, CSO, LDN

Bowel obstruction may occur from cancer location or scar tissue from previous surgeries. Keep an eye out for cramping, intense abdominal pain, swelling, nausea, and vomiting. If these occur and are persistent, talk to your doctor.

Try a low-residue diet. This means that you avoid high-fiber foods like whole grains, cruciferous vegetables (think Brussels sprouts, broccoli, etc.), nuts, and foods with seeds and whole wheat. Remove the skin from fruits and vegetables before eating, like apples and cucumbers.

For grains, try refined white grains like white pastas, white crackers, and white bread. Also, work to increase your fluid intake. This can help to get your bowels moving.

For fruits and vegetables, choose cooked fruits and vegetables. Fruit juices are okay if they don’t have pulp. You can also eat tender and well-cooked meats but stay away from beans and peas right now.

To reduce discomfort through gas, avoid gas-forming foods and drinks, like carbonated beverages, broccoli, and chewing gum. Don’t drink beverages through a straw because this can increase air consumption, which can lead to gas.

RECAP:

  • Try a low-residue diet (avoiding high fiber foods)
  • Avoid nuts, seeds, whole wheat, beans, peas, carbonated beverages and chewing gum
  • Avoid using straws
  • Try refined white grains (white breads/pastas)
  • Increase fluid intake
  • Consume cooked fruits and vegetables rather than raw
  • If you drink juice, stick to juice without pulp
  • Stick to tender, well-cooked meats

Eat well!

-Julie

Tips for Combating Cancer Side Effects: Nausea & Vomiting
Tips for Combating Cancer Side Effects: Sore Mouth & Throat

Filed Under: Cancer Side Effect Tips

This post may contain affiliate links for products I recommend. This means if you click on a link and purchase a product, Cancer Services, Inc. will receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. We use these proceeds to support cancer patient direct services and community education in the Triad area of North Carolina. For more information, view our disclosure policy.

Brought to you by:

Search Recipes & Articles

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Whether you've been diagnosed with cancer or not, we will provide you with the most up-to-date and evidence based information regarding lifestyle choices and cancer risk. Sign up HERE.

Podcast Episodes

Topics

Recent Articles:

  • Eat the Rainbow Winter Week #10: Delicious Desserts
  • Cooking with Angela & Julie: February Recipe Videos
  • Loaded Sweet Potatoes Recipe
  • Roasted Cabbage Recipe
  • Super Simple Winter Salad

Archives

Featured Recipes

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

Whether you've been diagnosed with cancer or not, we will provide you with the most up-to-date and evidence based information regarding lifestyle choices and cancer risk. Sign up HERE.

SEARCH RECIPES & ARTICLES

Copyright © 2023 · Cancer Dietitian · Evidence based lifestyle tips for cancer prevention and survivorship · Privacy Policy