How to Survive Dumping Syndrome
Dumping syndrome can end your meal suddenly and leave you feeling unlike yourself for hours. Many bariatric surgery patients experience dumping syndrome, and it is especially common in gastric bypass patients. If you have ever had dumping syndrome, you may be pretty motivated to prevent it from happening again!
These are some strategies for surviving dumping syndrome after bariatric surgery. The BariatricPal Store can help with all of them!
What Is Dumping Syndrome?
First, what is dumping syndrome? Early symptoms can begin within 30 minutes after eating, and WebMD says they can last an hour. Early dumping syndrome results from undigested food moving quickly into the small intestine. Symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate, excessive fullness, and stomach pain.
Late symptoms can begin 1 to 3 hours after eating. They result from a swing in blood sugar levels, leading to low blood sugar. Symptoms can include light-headedness, dizziness, confusion, and weakness.
Foods to Avoid for Dumping Syndrome
Sugary foods can trigger symptoms of dumping syndrome, so it is best to limit them. Sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juice, candy, desserts, pastries, and table sugar are all high in sugar. Other foods that may increase the chances of experiencing dumping syndrome include dairy products, such as milk and yogurt.
Skipping the sugar does not mean you need to miss out on the sweet tastes you love. The BariatricPal Store has all-natural sugar substitutes, such as monk fruit and stevia, so you can bake and sweeten foods and beverages without worry. Instead of sugar-laden fruit juice and drinks, protein fruit drinks are sugar-free and just as refreshing.
For any sweet food or flavor, you may be craving, we are almost sure to have it available in the store. Sugar-free chocolates, Protein Cake, Pudding, and Cookies, and Protein Muffins are just a few of our offerings. Protein Bars come in every flavor imaginable, from chocolate and peanut butter flavors to varieties with coconut, lemon, pretzel, caramel, almond, and a ton of other flavors.
Fiber Supplements
Dietary fiber may help prevent dumping syndrome by preventing dramatic spikes and drops in blood sugar. Fiber is rich fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and beans, but after bariatric surgery, it may not be easy to get enough of these foods to meet fiber needs. Fruit is high in sugar, vegetables, and beans may fill you up too quickly, and whole grains may have more carbs than you are aiming for.
BariatricPal has all kinds of fiber supplements that are easy to take and that taste good, too. We have high-fiber protein bars and shakes, along with fiber drinks, so you never have to worry about how to get enough. Plus, they are delicious!
Dumping syndrome may be common, but you can try to prevent it with careful food choices. The BariatricPal Store has a range of products to help you limit sugar without skipping sweets or fruity beverages, as well as fiber supplements to help stabilize blood sugar. The good news continues as avoiding foods that cause dumping syndrome can also help you lose weight!
