In the Dumping Syndrome patients should eat a low-sugar, high-protein diet by eating small amounts of food throughout the day.
This syndrome usually arises after bariatric surgery, such as gastrectomy, with the rapid passage of food from the stomach into the intestine, causing symptoms such as nausea, weakness, sweating, diarrhea and even fainting.
Diet for Dumping Syndrome
Most people with Dumping Syndrome get better if they follow the dietician-led diet, and should:
- Consume foods rich in protein like meat, fish, eggs and cheese;
- Consuming high amounts of fiber rich elements such as cabbage, almond or passion fruit, for example, because it lowers the absorption of glucose. In some cases, it may be necessary to take fiber nutritional supplement. Get to know other foods in: Foods rich in Fibers.
The nutritionist will make a menu that fits your daily needs, preferences and tastes.
What Not to Eat in Dumping Syndrome
In Dumping Syndrome, avoid:
- Sugar-rich foods such as cakes, biscuits or soda, and it is important to look for the words lactose, sucrose and dextrose on the food label because they are quickly absorbed and cause symptoms to worsen. See What Foods You Can Eat In: Low Carbohydrate Foods.
- Drinking liquids during meals, leaving your consumption for up to 1 hour before main meals or 2 hours later.
- Foods with lactose, especially milk and ice creams, that increase intestinal transit.
Following is a table with some recommended foods and those to avoid to lessen the symptoms of the disease.
| Food Group | Recommended Foods | Foods to Avoid |
| Bread, cereals, rice and pasta | Soft and sliced breads, rice and pasta, cookies without filling | Sour or seeded breads; butter cookies |
| Vegetables | Cooked or mashed vegetables | Hardwood, raw and gas-forming such as broccoli, squash, cauliflower, cucumber and sweet pepper |
| Fruits | Cooked | Crude, in syrup or with sugar |
| Milk, Yogurt and Cheese | Natural yogurt, cheese and soy milk | Milk, chocolate and milkshakes |
| Meat, poultry, fish and eggs | Cooked and baked fish, ground, shredded | Hard meat, empanadas and eggnog with sugar |
| Fats, oils and sugars | Olive oil and vegetable fats | Syrups, foods with concentrated sugar like marmalade. |
| Drinks | Tea, water and unsweetened juices | Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and juices with sugar |
After bariatric surgery to lose weight, it is essential to follow the prescribed diet to prevent the problem from becoming a chronic problem. Learn more at: Food after Bariatric Surgery.
How to Avoid the Symptoms of Dumping Syndrome
Some tips that can help in the treatment and control of the symptoms that Dumping Syndrome causes, include:
- Make small meals, using dessert plate and eating at regular times every day;
- Eat slowly, counting the number of times you chew each food, which should be between 20 and 30 times;
- Do not taste the food while cooking;
- Chew sugarless gum or brush your teeth whenever you are hungry and have eaten;
- Do not bring the pots and pans to the table ;
- Avoid eating and watching television at the same time or talking on the phone for example, as it will distract and eat more;
- Stop eating as soon as you feel satiated, even if you still have food on the plate;
- Do not lie down after meals or exercise one hour after eating because gastric emptying decreases;
- Do not go shopping on an empty stomach ;
- Make a list of the foods that the stomach will not tolerate and avoid them.
These guidelines help prevent the patient from developing symptoms such as feeling heavy in the belly, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas or even tremors and sweats.
