The anti-dumping diet is used to prevent diarrhea associated with eating foods that have a high sugar or fat concentration. High levels of fat or sugar overload your intestines and cause your food to move rapidly through your intestines, leading to diarrhea, cramping, dizziness and sweating, which is called the dumping syndrome. You will follow this diet after stomach surgery to prevent issues associated with re-introducing food to your system.
Sugar
You will want to avoid sugar and foods that are made with sugar to prevent diarrhea episodes. According to Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, eating sugar initially causes your intestines to dilute the sugar, and it quickly passes through your intestines. Next, your body responds to sugar by releasing insulin, which causes you to feel faint and dizzy because your blood sugar doesn't match the released insulin--causing you to become hypoglycemic.
Small Meals
Eating frequent, smaller meals doesn't overfill or overload your stomach. After stomach surgery, your stomach is smaller and can't hold the volume it was used to prior to surgery. Eating six meals decreases how much food you eat at one time. This allows your stomach and intestines to process smaller food amounts, decreasing your chance of having the dumping syndrome, according to GIST Support International.
Milk and Dairy
Your body may not tolerate dairy products well. According to Digestive Health Specialists in "Dumping Syndrome Diet," introduce dairy foods one at a time to evaluate your tolerance level. You may experience some diarrhea, bloating and gas after having milk or dairy products. Don't get these symptoms confused with the dumping syndrome. Note what dairy product you ate and try again a few days later. If the same symptoms occur, you can use lactose-free options instead of dairy products.
Beverages
According to Digestive Health Specialists, limit your beverages to lukewarm and warm beverages. Extreme hot and cold temperatures aren't tolerated well. Consume all beverages between meals to prevent overfilling your stomach by drinking with meals. Drink low-sugar beverages and avoid alcohol. Alcohol may promote the dumping syndrome and lead to diarrhea and other symptoms.
Diet Restrictions
Other diet restrictions you need to follow include eating lean protein sources such as eggs, chicken and turkey without the skin. Trim off all visible fat from beef and pork. Focus on eating high fiber and low sugar carbohydrates such as whole wheat bread, cereals, oatmeal, quinoa and all fruits and vegetables that are well-tolerated. Digestive Health Specialists suggests avoiding all foods that contain sugar and use sugar substitutes when needed to provide variety and sweeten any foods of your choosing.
References
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Anti-Dumping Post-Gastrectomy Diet
- "Dumping Syndrome Diet"; Digestive Health Specialist; May 2009
- GIST Support International: Dumping Syndrome
