What to eat to prevent dumping syndrome

Dumping syndrome occurs after gastric bypass surgery due to the change in the way the stomach processes food. Changing dietary habits is necessary after weight loss surgery to maintain a lower weight but changing the way you eat can also prevent dumping syndrome.

Do

Eat 4-6 small meals - eating small amounts regularly helps the digestive system process food easier and makes it easier for the body to process sugars.

Eat Protein - Eating protein at every meal and making sure it is the first food group you eat can help reduce the risk of dumping. Protein should make up half of each meal post gastric bypass.

Eat complex carbohydrates - Brown rice, whole grains, pulses and unsweetened cereal release sugars slower than simple carbohydrates. Swapping white rice for wholemeal pasta will help keep blood sugar regulated and prevent dumping

Eat fibre - Fibre slows down the digestive process and with a smaller intestine, a slower digestion of food is needed to prevent dumping.

Drink water between meals- Aim to drink 8 glasses of water a day to keep the body hydrated

Lie down after meals - Lying down causes a slower processing of food, reducing the risk of dumping

Don't

Eat lots of sugar - Cakes, biscuits and sweets containing high amounts of sugar. Sugar passes quickly through the digestive tract and triggers dumping syndrome.

Drink heavy, rich liquids - Nutritionally enhanced drinks, milkshakes and cream based drinks are best avoided as rich emulsive liquids are hard to digest.

Eat spicy foods - Spicy foods often trigger dumping syndrome

Drink with meals - Avoid liquid with food to slow the digestive system

Eat slouched - Sitting upright as you eat helps with digestion of solid food