Bowel Obstruction Diet
If you recently had a bowel obstruction, you may be anxious about the foods you should and should not eat in order to keep future obstructions at bay. To keep from obstructing again, most patients must adopt a diet that contains low or minimal amounts of fiber.
The good news is that eating foods that will not cause obstructions need not mean sacrificing taste. The following sample menu consists entirely of great-tasting, bowel obstruction-friendly recipes.
Breakfast
Rice Flour Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 cup rice flour
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup rice or soy milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tsp olive oil or vegetable oil
1 cup maple syrup
Directions:
Sift the rice flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Beat in the rice milk or soy milk until the mixture has a smooth consistency. Add the beaten egg and olive oil or vegetable oil and mix until just blended. Heat a non-stick griddle to 375 degrees or until it is hot enough that drops of water splashed on the griddle bounce and sizzle. Lightly oil the pan. Ladle the pancake mixture onto the griddle to form 4-inch cakes. Turn the cakes once the bottom has browned and bubbles appear on the top. Cook the cakes for an additional two minutes. Serve the pancakes with warmed maple syrup. The recipe yields 12 pancakes and serves 4.
Lunch
Healthy New England Clam Chowder
Ingredients:
4 tbsp olive oil
½ cup flour
3 cups clam broth
2 cups rice milk
2-6.5 oz. Cans of chopped clams
¼ tsp white pepper
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp thyme
1 bay leaf
4 cups potatoes, 1″ cubes
Directions:
In a large pot, add the flour to the olive oil. Blend to incorporate thoroughly. Add the clam broth and the rice milk and whisk the mixture until it is smooth. Add the chopped clams, white pepper, parsley, thyme, and bay leaf to the soup. Bring the soup to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Continue cooking the soup for 45 minutes. After the soup has cooked for 45 minutes, add the diced potatoes and simmer for an additional 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork. Remove the soup from the heat and serve. Recipe serves 6.
Dinner
Souffle Omelette
Ingredients:
2 eggs, separated
1 tsp of water
Salt and pepper
¼ oz low-fat spread or butter
Grated low-fat cheese is optional
Directions:
Preheat a grill until moderately hot and gently heat an omelet pan. Whisk the egg whites until they stand in soft peaks. Whisk the egg yolks with the cold water until pale and creamy and season. Fold in the egg whites. Melt the low-fat spread in the omelet pan, pour in the omelet mixture, and level the top. Cook without moving until the bottom is set and golden, for about 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, if using, and place under the grill for approximately ½ minute, until cheese begins to melt. Fold in half and slide onto a plate. Serve immediately.
Desert
Pink Grapefruit Sorbet
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups sugar
1 1 ̸4 cups water
1 tbs grated grapefruit zest
1 1 ̸4 cups freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
1 ̸4 cup lemon juice
1 egg white
Directions:
Combine sugar, grapefruit zest, and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat when the sugar has dissolved. Add the pink grapefruit juice and lemon juice. Transfer the sorbet mix to a storage container and refrigerate for six hours. Add lightly beaten egg white to the mixture and combine thoroughly. Freeze the sorbet mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Place sorbet in a sealed container and place in the freezer for 2 hours before serving. Recipe serves 6.
If you enjoyed these recipes, take a look at our Diet Guide for more tips on adjusting your diet to improve your digestive health.
Discover hope for bowel obstruction with Clear Passage® Physical Therapy’s non-surgical, diet-focused approach – Request Information and schedule your Free Consultation today to explore how our expert therapists can help you manage your condition and improve your quality of life. To learn more about our innovative treatment methods and take the first step towards relief, visit our Apply to Therapy page.
If you or someone you know suffers from bowel obstruction, schedule a phone consultation with one of our therapists at no cost to learn about treating bowel obstruction non-surgically.
“If the information in this article sounds like it may relate to what you’re experiencing, the team at Clear Passage® Physical Therapy is here to help. Many people living with this condition simply want to know if there is a natural treatment option without drugs or surgery that could work for them. The good news is you don’t have to figure it out alone. You can request more information to speak with a knowledgeable team member who will review your situation and help you understand whether this specialized therapy may be a good fit. If you’re ready to move forward, you can also apply for therapy so the clinical staff can carefully review your health history and determine the best path toward relief. Taking a few minutes to reach out could be the first step toward getting answers—and possibly getting your life back.”