Travel with an Ostomy - Diet and Fitness

Yes, you can enjoy the local cuisine and the activities while you’re on vacation or holiday. Here are some tips to ensure that you continue to enjoy the food and fitness fun now that you have a stoma. 

Explore travel tips on diet and fitness for people with a stoma.

Part of the joy of traveling is sampling all that the local cuisine has to offer. Plus, there’s usually plenty of great new activities to choose from too. Your stoma doesn’t have to get in the way of any of that fun. Keep your travels trouble-free with the practical diet and fitness guidance you’ll find here. 

Food and drink 

Here are tips for avoiding common diet issues while traveling with a stoma:

• It’s easy to become dehydrated while traveling in dry airplane cabins, and during activities in hot climates. Drink plenty of water. 
• If the water quality is questionable, buy bottled water for drinking, cleaning your teeth, and irrigating your colostomy.
• Changes in diet (or climate) may upset your bowels. Discuss with your healthcare professional if antidiarrheal medications or rehydration salts are an option to take with on your travels. Discuss all medications with your healthcare professional . 
• Diarrhea may lead to a sodium deficiency. But it’s difficult to know how much to replace. Consult with a nutritionist. If your diarrhea persists for 24 hours, seek medical help.

Fitness and sports 

As long as you have no complications and your healthcare professional has no objections, you can enjoy sports and physical activities at your destination. Contact sports and those that involve a lot of bending, such as bowling and aerobics, are possible, but check with your healthcare provider. If you’ll be near a pool or beach, there’s no reason you can’t swim, even if you have an ostomy. 

Interested in participating in a new sport or activity during your vacation or holiday, but not sure if your stoma will cause any restrictions? Your country’s ostomy association may be able to put you in touch with someone with a stoma with experience in the sport or activity. He or she may be able to offer some practical advice before you leave for your destination. In the U.S., check with the United Ostomy Associations of America.

View or print the full PDF booklet: Living with an Ostomy: Travel