Learning About Your Diet When You Have an Esophageal Stent
After getting an esophageal stent, you'll start with liquids, then soft foods, then regular foods. Avoid dry, sticky, or hard foods that can block your stent. Eat small, frequent meals, chew well, and ask your dietitian for help staying nourished.
What is an esophageal stent?
An esophageal stent is a small, flexible tube placed in your esophagus to help hold it open. The stent makes it easier for food and liquids to move from your mouth to your stomach. You may get a stent when the esophagus has narrowed or become blocked. This often happens because of a tumor.
Why do you need to follow a special diet?
Your stent is a narrow tube. Foods that are too hard, dry, sticky, or large can get stuck and block it. A blocked stent can cause nausea, vomiting, reflux, irritation, and pain or bloating in your belly. Contact your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. But following a special diet lowers your chances of this happening.
The diet is a standard part of care after an esophageal stent is placed. Getting enough nutrition also matters for your recovery. Research shows that nutrition can affect how well you heal and your risk of problems after getting a stent.
How will your diet change over time?
Right after your stent is placed, you'll likely start with liquids only. This gives your stent time to settle into place. You'll gradually move to soft, moist foods. Then you'll move to a more regular diet as you're able to tolerate it. Your care team will guide you on the pace that's right for you.
What foods should you eat?
Focus on foods that are naturally soft or become soft when cooked. These include:
- Well-cooked vegetables without skins, such as mashed potatoes.
- Cooked cereal.
- Scrambled eggs.
- Fish or minced meat served in a sauce. Adding sauces, gravy, butter, or broth to your meals can help keep food moist and easier to swallow.
- Smoothies, soups, and nutritional shakes.
What foods should you avoid?
Avoid foods that are dry, crumbly, hard, sticky, or crunchy. These are more likely to get stuck. Tough, stringy, or fibrous vegetables can also cause problems. Also try to avoid skins and pith on fruit.
Bread can be hard to eat because it can absorb liquid and expand once it's in your stomach. It's also best to limit heavy, starchy foods like pastries. Avoid eating soft, doughy bread (such as dinner rolls, sandwich bread, and biscuits) that can easily form a sticky clump and cause a blockage.
What are some tips for eating safely?
A few habits can make mealtimes easier and safer.
- Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. Cut food into bite-size pieces, about a half-inch or smaller. Sit upright while you eat, and stay upright for 30 to 60 minutes afterward.
- Eat smaller meals more often, around 5 or 6 times a day. It's easier on your stent than a few large meals.
- Try not to drink too much liquid right before or during meals. It can fill you up before you've gotten enough calories from food. If you feel full during a meal, save your fluids for in between meals instead.
- If food sticks in your throat, take a few sips of liquid. You may want to do this throughout the day, especially before and after meals.
How can you make sure you're getting enough nutrition?
Some people lose weight after an esophageal stent is placed, so it's important to eat a variety of foods and get enough calories. One helpful trick is "fortifying" your food. You can add extra milk powder, cream, cheese, or sauces to meals so you get more calories without needing to eat more.
If you're struggling to maintain your weight, nutritional supplements or homemade milkshakes can help. Common options include Boost, Ensure, or Carnation Instant Breakfast mixed with whole milk. For a homemade version, try blending a supplement with ice, ice cream, or sherbet or with fruits that you know you tolerate well.
A dietitian can also work with you to build an eating plan that keeps you nourished while protecting your stent.