Output and Timing Question

So I'm a recent ileostomate (had my surgery Aug 31st 2013) and am not sure if I fully understand how output works in terms of timing. When I eat something, does that particular food cause an immediate type of output? Say, for example, when I eat ice cream does this mean that I will start having loose/runny stool output immediately after? Or does it mean that in a few hours time my output will be loose from the ice cream, as it eventually finishes passng through my small intestine?If the answer is the second situation, how long does it actually take for the small intestine to digest food and become output? Maybe this is a stupid question but even after about 3 months with my ileostomy I still find myself wondering the truth behind this topic. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

PS- the fact that really boggles my mind and confuses me is how marshmallows can temporarily still output. so this must mean that the food that we eat causes an immediate output change....right?

Congrats on getting through the surgery and regaining quality of life.

Based on my own experience (just under 6 months since I ditched my colon), there is often some immediate effect- well, within 30 minutes or so- of eating that is generated by peristalsis being triggered, assuming there is food waste down there i.e. assumgnmone hasnt been fasting for ten hours or so- but the time it takes for food to make it's way down to the stoma is at least 3 hours or so, often 4-5 for me. Sugary foods will move the system faster by drawing in liquid.

The bottom line is that I find it convenient, on evenings when I know that I will be doing a routine appliance change the next morning, to not binge on late nught snacks... And likewise I dont have tea or coffee ir any breakfast until after I do my once every 4-5 mornings change (I change about once every 4-5 days although at this point I could probably go 6-7 safely if I wanted to push it). That said, I have learned how to change with an active output too- itisnt difficult really, just needs changing wads of paper towel on top of my stoma a few times whereas with the inactive stoma method there is no output at all.

I have never tried the marshmallow technique, since my before breakfast methid is so reliable at giving me an output free change. I find it difficult to see how something sugary couod actually skow output, but I have heard about it too.