continued
D umping Syndrome Diet
University of
Pittsburgh
Medical Center
Information
for Patients
Dumping syndrome sometimes happens
after stomach surgery. Dumping syndrome
is caused by large amounts of food passing
quickly into the small intestine. This causes
symptoms like abdominal pain or fullness,
nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness, and
fatigue. This diet will help stop the symptoms
of dumping syndrome.
Tips to help relieve symptoms
• Everyone tolerates foods differently.
Avoid foods that you know cause you
problems.
• Eat small, frequent meals (at least six
times every day). See sample menu on
the last page.
• Do not drink liquids with your meal.
Instead, drink liquids at least a half-hour
to an hour after eating solid food.
• If you have problems with hypoglycemia
(low blood sugar), avoid sugar and sweets
such as candy, soda, cakes, and cookies.
• Lie down as soon as you finish eating.
This reduces the symptoms of dumping
syndrome by slowing the emptying of
food from the stomach.
• Avoid foods that are very hot or very
cold. These can trigger symptoms.
• Tell your doctor if you lose any weight.
University of
Pittsburgh
Medical Center
Information
for Patients
Dumping syndrome diet
Breads, Cereals, Rice,
and Pasta
6-11 servings each day
One serving equals:
1 slice bread
1 cup ready-to-eat cereal
1/2 cup cooked cereal,
rice, or pasta
Foods to Choose
- all breads, unsweetened
cereals, pasta, potatoes,
rice, crackers, and soup
(only if taken one hour
after solid foods and at a
medium temperature)
Foods to Avoid
- sweet rolls and doughnuts
- sweetened cereals
- pancakes and waffles
with syrup
- soup (taken with solid
foods)
Fruits
2-4 servings each day
One serving equals:
1 medium-size fresh
1/2 cup canned
3/4 cup juice
Foods to Choose
- all fresh fruit
- drained, unsweetened
canned fruit
- unsweetened frozen fruit
- 100 percent pure juice
(taken one hour after meals)
Foods to Avoid
- canned fruits in heavy
syrup
- sweetened frozen fruit
- sweetened juices (that is,
punch or sports drinks)
- candied fruit
Milk and Dairy Products
Limit to 2 servings
each day
One serving equals:
1 cup milk or yogurt
Foods to Choose
- plain or unsweetened yogurt
- skim, 2 percent, or whole
milk (taken one hour after
meals)
Foods to Avoid
- milkshakes and
chocolate milk
- sweetened yogurt
Vegetables
3-5 servings each day
One serving equals:
1 cup raw
1/2 cup cooked or
chopped
Foods to Choose
- all vegetables
Foods to Avoid
- any not tolerated
continued
Foods to Choose
- all meat, fish, poultry,
peanut butter, cheese,
eggs, and dried beans
or legumes
Foods to Avoid
- any not tolerated
Meats, Poultry, Fish,
Dry Beans, Peas, Eggs,
and Cheese
2-3 servings or a total
of six ounces daily
One serving equals:
2-3 ounces cooked meat,
chicken, or fish (about
the size of a deck of cards)
— or —
1/2 to 3/4 cup cottage
cheese or tuna fish
— or —
One egg, 1/2 cup cooked
beans, two tablespoons
peanut butter, or one
ounce of cheese
Choose leaner cuts of beef
and meat and limit the
amount of high-fat items
like eggs and cheese.
Fats, Condiments,
and Beverages
Foods to Avoid
- sweet pickles or relish
- sweetened drinks
(regular lemonade,
soda)
- any others not tolerated
Foods to Choose
- all butter, margarine,
cream, oil, and salad
dressings
- salt, herbs, spices, and
condiments
- any sugar-free beverage
(coffee, tea, diet soda,
etc., taken one hour after
solids)
Snacks, Sweets, and
Desserts
Foods to Choose
- sugar-free gelatin
- sugar-free pudding
- sugar-free candy
- sugar substitutes
Foods to Avoid
- sugar
- candy and chocolate
- cakes and cookies
- ice cream and sherbet
- honey, syrup, and jelly
continued
This information is not meant for use without a physician’s or dietitian’s recommendation.
Call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) for referral to a registered dietitian or if you have questions.
This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information
for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have.
University of
Pittsburgh
Medical Center
Information
for Patients
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
www.upmc.com
© University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center 2003
SYS08602-2L AP/JW REV 03/03
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The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer. Policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion,
national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and
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Sample menu
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
1/2 grapefruit
1 slice toast
1 egg
1 teaspoon margarine
1 cup 2 percent milk (60 minutes after meal)
2 oz. cheese and 6 crackers
1/2 banana
2 oz. hamburger on a small bun
with lettuce and tomato
1/2 cup fresh fruit salad
tea (60 minutes after meal)
1/2 turkey sandwich with mayonnaise
1/2 chicken breast
1/2 cup brown rice
1/2 cup broccoli
1 small apple
1 cup 2 percent milk (60 minutes after meal)
1 to 2 teaspoons margarine
2 tablespoons peanut butter on graham
crackers
Snack
Snack
Bedtime
Snack
dumping syndrome
Linear Mode
