Short bowel syndrome (SBS) management is complex. Your body’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients after a small bowel resection depends on many things such as the:
- Length, location and health of remaining bowel.
- Time since bowel surgery.
The types of foods and beverages eaten can impact symptoms such as gas, bloating and diarrhea/ostomy output, and quality of life. Making changes in your diet to address symptoms while aiming to enhance quality of life will involve finding ways to add flavor.
Herbs and spices are a healthy way to add flavor to food without making your gastrointestinal symptoms worse. Each ingredient brings a unique taste and can increase enjoyment of food. Here are tips for enjoying herbs and spices!
Getting started
Just because you have SBS doesn’t mean you have to eat bland foods. In fact, many fresh herbs and spices are well tolerated by those with SBS. You may want to start with sprinkling small amounts of individual herbs and spices on your food to test your tolerance and increase the amount over time.
Below are some suggested flavorings for your foods:
Chives
Basil
Cilantro
Coriander
Dill
Green onions
Ginger Mint
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Allspice
Basil
Bay leaves
Cardamom
Chili powder
Cinnamon
Coriander
Cumin
Curry powder
Dill Ddy mustard
Fennel seeds
Nutmeg
Oregano
Paprika
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Certain spices may cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea/high ostomy output and might need to be limited to small amounts or removed from your diet:
- Garlic
- Onion
If you do not tolerate garlic and onions, try seasonings from the following:
- Gourmend
- FODY
- Casa de Sante
Individuals with an ileostomy or jejunostomy may prepare foods with a moderate amount of salad dressings, infused olive oil, herb salts, celery salt, onion salt or garlic salt (if tolerated).
Individuals with a remaining colon may need to use low-fat salad dressings and condiments.
Recipes to try
Don’t be afraid to slowly grow your spice collection and add more flavors to enhance the taste of what you cook. Play with other delicious flavors that you may be interested in trying and perhaps find a new way of cooking.
You can buy prepared spice blends or make your own (see below). Some recipes suggest buying whole spices and grinding them for best flavors. It can be helpful to have a spice grinder to blend seeds and pods into a fine powder. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year.
For use on all dishes
Combine:
1/3 cup salt
1-1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1-1/2 tsp. celery seed
1-1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
Yield: about 1/2 cup
Perfect for Asian inspired dishes
Combine:
2 Tbsp. aniseed
2 Tbsp. fennel seed
2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. whole cloves
2 Tbsp. whole peppercorns
Grind into a fine powder.
Yield: about 1/2 cup
Great for pasta dishes and soups
Combine:
6 Tbsp. dried basil
2 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. dried marjoram
1 Tbsp. dried thyme
Yield: 10 Tbsp.
Good with any vegetarian or meat dish
Combine:
1/4 cup chili powder
3 Tbsp. dried minced onion
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
2-1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. each dried oregano and ground cumin
1-1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. ground coriander
Yield: about 1 cup
Perfect for Indian inspired dishes
Combine:
Seeds from 3 cardamom pods, ground
2 tsp. each ground coriander and cumin
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1/2 tsp. each chili powder and pepper
1/8 tsp. fennel seed
Grind until mixture becomes a powder.
Yield: 2 Tbsp.
Good with sandwiches or as a dip
Mix:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. parsley flakes
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp, dried chives or grated onion
¼ tsp. dried dill
Process in a blender and let sit in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Yield: 1 cup
Use on vegetables or meats
Combine:
1-1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. each dried mint and thyme
1/2 tsp. each dried minced onion, basil and marjoram
1/4 tsp. dried minced garlic
Yield: 2 Tbsp.
Add to beverages, breakfast cereals, or French toast.
Combine:
4 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
Yield: about 2-1/2 Tbsp.
Use on meat, poultry, or fish
Combine:
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 oz. grated parmesan cheese
3-4 Tbsp. fresh or dried herbs
Salt and pepper to taste
Yield: ½ cup
Tbsp. = Tablespoon
Tsp. = Teaspoon
Written by
Jasmine Jew, MA, RD, NWCC
Karen Alexander, RD, CSO
Reviewed by the DIGID Short Bowel Syndrome Workgroup ©2021
Jasmine Jew, MA, RD, NWCC
Karen Alexander, RD, CSO
Reviewed by the DIGID Short Bowel Syndrome Workgroup ©2021
