Eating with a duodenal stent

The duodenum is the first part of your small intestine. Sometimes there can be a blockage in the duodenum, meaning that food can’t pass easily from the stomach into the small intestine for digestion. This can cause you to feel full and not like eating. It may also make you feel or be sick.

Diet following a duodenal stent

You doctor will advise you when it is safe to eat following the placement of a duodenal stent, which is usually the following day.

It can sometimes take time for your stomach to start emptying properly again.

It is advisable to start reintroducing the foods/fluids which will pass through the stent most easily and gradually increasing the stages once you are able to tolerate the stage before.

Stage 1: Thin liquids with no bits

At this stage only drink:

• Water
• Squash
• Tea or coffee
• Bovril
• Fruit juice with no bits

Stage 2: Thicker liquids and smooth pureed food with no lumps

At this stage, you can also eat or drink thicker but still smooth foods. For example:

• Jelly
• Yoghurt
• Milkshakes
• Ice cream
• Smooth soups
• Pureed food with no lumps

Stage 3: Soft foods

At this stage you can start to eat soft foods which are easy to chew. For example:

• Porridge or cereal soaked in milk
• Soup with soft pieces
• Poached fish or very tender meat
• Eggs in any form
• Soft pasta
• Mashed potato
• Peeled and soft cooked vegetables and fruit
• Soft puddings (custard, ice cream, rice pudding, yoghurt)

Example meals on stage 3

Everyone responds differently to having a duodenal stent fitted. Some people are able to manage a more normal diet in time and other need to remain on a soft, moist diet indefinitely. Occasionally people are only able to manage a liquid diet on an ongoing basis but this is quite rare.

Breakfast

Cereal with plenty of milk.

White bread toast with smooth peanut butter or jam/marmalade without pips or bits.

White bread toast with butter and scrambled egg Yoghurt and banana or fruit puree.

Lighter meals

White bread toast with butter and avocado.

Scrambled eggs on toast Smooth soups with extra cream added.

Sandwich with white bread, butter/spread and tuna mayo/thin sliced meat/egg mayo.

Omelette with cheese.

Jacket potato (inside only no skin) with cheese, prawn mayo or tuna mayo.

Main meals

Fish pie with flaky fish and mash.

Sheppard’s or cottage pie with lean mince.

Casserole with very tender stewed meat.

Pasta soft cooked with lots of sauce – bolognaise, macaroni, lasagne.

Mashed or boiled potatoes with skins removed.

Flaky fish with soft cooked vegetables and mashed potato or soft white rice.

Puddings

Soft hot puddings such as:

• stick toffee pudding
• steamed puddings
• apple pie

Cold or cool puddings such as:

• Trifle
• Mouse/Angel Delight
• Milk puddings – rice pudding, custard, semolina
• Ice cream, sorbet
• Yoghurts

Foods to avoid

Raw vegetables or stringy vegetables such as salad leaves, celery, green beans, and sweetcorn, tomatoes.

Stalks of broccoli, cauliflower or asparagus – eat the tips or florets instead.

Skins, pips, or pith on fruit e.g. pith or skin on oranges and seeds in strawberries or kiwi fruit. Peel fruit or choose soft stewed or tinned.

Dried fruit, nuts or seeds.

Tough, chewy or gristly meat – go for stewed or minced.

High fibre cereals e.g. All Bran, Bran Flakes, Shredded wheat or granola with seeds and dried fruit. Choose Rice Crispies, porridge or corn flakes.

Granary or seeded bread. Limit bread intake as it can expand in the stomach making it difficult to pass through the stent.

Whole grain rice or pasta. Choose white varieties.

General tips for eating

Take small mouthfuls and chew food well

Choose soft moist foods.

Add extra sauces or gravy to your food to
moisten it.

Eat little and often rather than having large meals.

If you do not feel like eating, try having a
nutritious drinks such as a milkshake/smoothie or
a soup.

Avoid lying down for 30 minutes – 1 hour after
eating.

How can we help?

Contact your Dorothy House professional if you have any further questions or concerns.