Dietary Advice Following an Oesophageal Stent
You may feel some discomfort as your stent expands. This usually takes 48 hours but in some cases can take a few weeks. The medical team caring for you can provide appropriate painkillers as needed. There may have been a small amount of blood loss during placement. This can give a metallic taste in your mouth after the procedure.
You will not be able to eat or drink for four hours post stent insertion. After this time you can try sips of fluid (smooth pouring consistency). If this is well-tolerated you can increase the quantity over the remainder of the day.
On the following day you should be able to progress onto thick liquids and purées. If tolerated you may begin to introduce soft moist foods from day three onward. Please speak with your dietitian or specialist nurse if concerned about the foods you can manage.
The following advice might also be helpful
- Always sit upright when eating and drinking as gravity will help food pass through the stent. Try to remain upright for at least 30 minutes after eating or having a milky drink. Avoid eating up to one hour before bedtime
- Chew your food twice as long as usual. Add extra sauces to your food e.g. gravy or custard to make it more moist
- Take sips of fluid between mouthfuls to help clear the stent of any food particles
- Aim for three small meals and three snacks daily as your portions are likely to be smaller. Nutritional supplement drinks such as Aymes, Complan and Fresubin count as snacks
- Occasionally some people with stents cannot tolerate firmer foods and follow a liquid or purée only diet long-term
- If you feel your stent block stop eating and don’t panic. Drink a warm or fizzy drink to try to clear the blockage. Try walking around and remain upright
- If you are unable to clear the blockage after three hours call your specialist nurse – see below. Outside of their working hours (e.g. evening and weekends) call NHS 111 or visit your nearest Emergency Department
- Ensure your teeth are in good order and that any dentures fit correctly. Book an appointment with your dentist if needed
- Ensure you take all medications as advised. Having a stent can allow acid from the stomach to reflux up the stent. You may be prescribed anti-acid medication to minimise this
- Sleep with an extra pillow to raise your upper body to help reduce reflux. Raising the head end of the bed by four to six inches can help to keep your head higher than your feet even if you slip off the pillows during the night. Bending at the knees rather than the waist can also reduce reflux
- Many medications are available in liquid or dissolvable (soluble) form. If you are unsure about your medications please discuss this with the hospital team before discharge. This ensures you will be able to manage your medications safely and are not taking any unnecessary medications. Once home this can be discussed with your specialist nurse, GP or pharmacist.
Guidance on suitable foods
Starchy carbohydrate foods such as bread, rice, cereals, pasta and potatoes
These foods provide us with energy and some vitamins and minerals. Try to include these with each meal.
Top tip: Some people find bread difficult to manage as it absorbs liquid and may feel like it is sticking. Be careful to take small mouthfuls and chew slowly. Follow the guidance above if you feel your stent may be blocked.
| Foods to choose | Foods which may block | May be able to tolerate |
| Thin, light bread e.g. Hovis Nimble®/Warburton’s Danish® – crusts removed, add lots of butter/spread Well-cooked soft rice, noodles or pasta in sauce Mashed, boiled, jacket white potato/sweet potato (no skin) Quinoa and couscous Thin crêpe Wet polenta Yorkshire pudding with lots of gravy/bread sauce Ugali with lots of sauce Melt in the mouth crisps e.g. Quavers®, Wotsits®, prawn crackers, Skips® Cereal with lots of milk: Porridge/Ready Brek®, oat-based cereals, Weetabix®, Shreddies®, Corn flakes, Frosties®, Coco Pops®, Rice Krispies®, Golden Morn and Cerelac® | Fresh/soft bread Bread with seeds/grains Crusty bread Chapati, tortilla, naan Taco shells Al dente pasta, noodles or rice Pastries, pies and dumplings Roast potatoes, crispy chips and latkes Plantain and yams Quinoa mixed with grains Dry polenta Pizza crust/deep pan pizza Hard crackers e.g. Ryvita® Potato crisps e.g. Walker’s® All Bran®/bran flakes Shredded Wheat® Sugar Puffs® Cereals with dried fruits/nuts e.g. muesli, granola, Crunchy Nut Cornflakes® Sushi | Day old/dry bread or toast (hot) with lots of butter/spread Lightly toasted bagel with lots of butter Gluten free bread with soft, moist filling Crispbreads and breadsticks well-chewed with moist topping/dip e.g. cream cheese. Houmous Soft roast potatoes and soft chips |
Protein foods such as meat, fish, eggs, beans, and animal alternatives
hese foods provide us with protein which is essential to healing and maintaining muscle tissues. Try to have these at least three times per day.
Top tip: These foods may block the stent if not served with a smooth sauce or gravy
| Foods to choose | Foods which may block | May be able to tolerate |
| Minced beef, lamb, chicken, pork, turkey, fish, soya or other meat-free products Tender meat or fish without skin and bones, finely chopped Boil in the bag fish (check for bones) Slow cooked stews and casseroles – ensure meat is very tender Skinless sausages and black pudding finely chopped and served with a sauce Corned beef Meat pastes and pâtés Fresh or tinned fish without bones Eggs – soft boiled, poached, scrambled, or as omelette Hard boiled egg mashed with mayonnaise or salad cream Soft cooked beans and lentils and dahl, mashed as needed Bean pudding (moi moi) Silken tofu Smooth nut butters | Roasted meats, steak, chops and tough cuts of meat Tough, gristly meats, fat and cartilage Meat and fish skins and bones/crackling Dried or cured meats Raw meat and fish Crispy bacon Fish in batter or breadcrumbs Hard boiled eggs Quiche or egg custard filling (no pastry) Nuts and seeds Loose bean/pea/nut skins Fried or chewy tofu Chunky nut butters | Fried eggs – cut up small and chewed well |
Dairy foods and dairy-alternatives
These foods are good sources of protein as well as calcium which keeps bones strong. Try to have these at least three times per day.
Top tip: Choose full-fat options for extra calories (energy).
| Foods to choose | Foods which may block | May be able to tolerate |
| Soft cheeses e.g. cream cheese, cottage cheese, cheese paste/triangles Grated hard cheese –add to soups and main meals for flavour and calories Paneer within a sauce Milk and milk-alternative drinks Smooth milkshake, smoothie, kefir and lassi Milk pudding, mousse, custard and cream Rice pudding, sago, semolina and tapioca Smooth yogurt and fromage frais Evaporated or condensed milk Smooth ice cream | Chunks of hard cheeses Cheese containing pieces of fruit or nuts Stringy melted cheese Halloumi Cheese rind Milkshake, smoothie, kefir or lassi with bits, seeds or nuts Yogurt with bits, seeds or nuts Ice cream with bits, seeds or nuts | Soft ripened cheese e.g. brie, camembert |
Fruits, vegetables and fibre-rich foods
These foods provide fibre, essential vitamins and minerals, and some energy.
Aim to have a variety of these foods at least five times per day. Portions may be smaller than you are used to so monitor for signs of constipation.
Top tip: Ensure firm varieties are well cooked or stewed. Serve with custard, cream or ice cream for additional calories (energy). Chew tinned fruits well.
| Foods to choose | Foods which may block | May be able to tolerate |
| Soft ripe fruit e.g. banana, melon, berries, plum, nectarine, apricot Stewed fruit e.g. apple, pear, apricot Tinned fruit e.g. peach, pear, mandarin Smooth fruit juice or smoothie Smooth fruit coulis, jam, conserve Well-cooked root vegetables e.g. carrot, parsnip, taro Well-cooked cruciferous vegetables e.g. broccoli, cauliflower Chopped tinned tomatoes with skins removed Ripe avocado Cooked spinach, courgette, aubergine (ensure skin soft or removed) Mushy peas and well-cooked beans/pulses Smooth houmous or guacamole Swallows (cassava flour and yam) | Dried fruit – all Stringy fruit e.g. pineapple, rhubarb Pith, skins, seeds or stalks e.g. grape, orange, grapefruit, tomato, watermelon Raw hard or fibrous fruits e.g. apple, pear, green banana, coconut Smoothie with lumps Jam or conserve with fruit pieces Stringy vegetables e.g. celery, green beans, asparagus Sweetcorn and firm beans/peas Mushrooms Raw vegetables and salad Bhajis Tempura Fresh artichoke Chunky dips e.g. tzatziki, chunky/rough houmous, salsa Chutneys and pickles | Mango (fresh) Well cooked peas Well-cooked broccoli stalks, okra, artichoke |
Puddings, snacks and miscellaneous foods
These foods provide a range of nutrients.
Top tip: Try to include these two-three times daily between meals for extra calories (energy).
| Foods to choose | Foods which may block | May be able to tolerate |
| Ice cream and sorbet Soft cake/sponge with cream, ice cream, custard Milk puddings e.g. sago, rice pudding, semolina, crème caramel Meringue – melted in the mouth/with cream Tiramisu, or trifle made with soft fruit Angel Delight®, mousse, blancmange Middle of egg custard Soufflé Stewed/ripe/tinned fruit with cream, ice cream or custard Jelly Boiled and jelly sweets – well-sucked or chewed Smooth chocolate, or with a soft centre Smooth soup Honey, sugar, syrups Smooth jam/conserve Smooth chocolate spread Cheesecake with lots of cream Melt in the mouth crisps e.g. Quavers®, Wotsits®, prawn crackers, Skips® Smooth dips e.g. guacamole/houmous | Cake, biscuit or chocolate with nuts, seeds or dried fruit Hard nougat and honeycomb Nuts and seeds Dried fruit – all Chunky soup French onion soup Trifle with underripe/hard chunks of fruit Potato crisps e.g. Walker’s® Popcorn Chunky dips e.g. tzatziki, chunky/rough houmous, salsa Chutneys and pickles | Well-sucked honeycomb |
Suggested meal ideas
Breakfast
Porridge, Weetabix or Rice Krispies with fortified milk (see below) and sugar
Soft fruit e.g. banana, stewed apple, ripe pear or melon with full far yoghurt and honey
Cheesy omelette with tinned tomatoes (skin removed)
Skinless sausages with baked beans or egg e.g. soft boiled, runny scrambled
Chopped avocado with poached egg
PLUS a glass of fruit juice or milky drink
Mid-morning
Soft cake and cream
Breadsticks (grissini) with cream cheese or houmous
PLUS a milky drink
Main meal (can be lunchtime or evening)
Tender meat or meat substitute in gravy e.g. shepherd’s pie, chicken stew
Corned beef hash
Fish in sauce e.g. parsley or butter
Fisherman’s pie
Well-cooked pasta dishes such as lasagna or spaghetti bolognese
Tender meat or vegetable curry with rice
Quorn® mince in gravy with creamy mashed potato
PLUS soft, well-cooked vegetables e.g. carrots, cauliflower, swede.
Mid-afternoon
Pot of full fat yoghurt, chocolate mousse, or custard
Banana and custard
Smaller meal (can be lunchtime or evening)
Jacket potato (no skin) with lots of butter and a soft filling. Examples: tuna or salmon with mayonnaise, tinned spaghetti, grated cheese, cream cheese
Soup with added cream or olive oil. Add cheese, skimmed milk powder, lentils or tender meat for extra protein.
Desserts (ideally more than 200kcal per serving)
Milk pudding e.g. rice pudding, tapioca
Sponge pudding with plenty of custard, cream or ice cream
Trifle, Angel Delight®, mousse
Jelly containing sugar with added soft fruit
Take a look down the cold puddings section in the supermarket for further ideas.
Supper
Biscuits dipped in warm milky drink
Soup (see above)
Bowl of cereal with fortified milk
Advice if you have a small appetite or are losing weight
- Choose full fat yogurts and puddings, ideally over 200kcal per serving. Aim to have at least one pudding each day
- Use full fat (blue label) or Jersey cream milk
- Milk can be fortified by mixing three to four tablespoons skimmed milk powder with one pint full fat milk. This can be used in the same way as normal milk
- Try to have at least one milky drink each day. Examples: glass of milk, hot chocolate, latte, malted drink such as Horlicks® or Ovaltine® (any brand)
- Have a glass of fruit juice each day and choose drinks that contain sugar. If you have diabetes you should discuss this with the dietitian or your specialist nurse
- Add sugar, honey and/or cream to cereal
- Add grated cheese, cream and/or butter to mashed potato, sauces and hot meals
- Add Hollandaise or Béarnaise sauce to eggs and fish
- Make homemade milkshakes using high energy ingredients. Examples: bananas, smooth peanut butter, avocado, creamy ice cream, coconut milk
- Avoid having large amounts of fluid close to meals as this can reduce your appetite.
Contact numbers
We hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any questions or are worried about anything, please speak to the following Dorset County Hospital staff:
Nurse specialist: 01305 255710
Dietitian: 01305 254415
About this leaflet
Authors: Melanie Harrison, Lead Oncology Dietitian
Written: April 2025
Approved: June 2025
Review date: June 2028
Edition: v2
If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk
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