Question:
ARE NATURAL SUGARS OK?

I WAS LOOKING FOR RNY POST-OP FOOD AND EVERYTHING I PICKED UP HAD SOME SUGAR. ALL NATURAL FRUIT, 100% JUICE, SUGAR FREE APPLESAUCE IT ALL HAD SOME SUGAR!! SO, I'M CONFUSED - IS NATURAL SUGARS OK. IF I HAVE TO FIND SOMETHING WITH 0 SUGAR I'M WONDERING IF I'LL EVER FIND IT. HELP    — CINDY M. (posted on February 11, 2001)

February 11, 2001
Natual jucies are fine.Stay away from Sugar, High Frutrose, Corn syrup, etc. 100% juices are: Juciy Juice, Welch's 100% grape juice in the bottle, (dilute it with 50% water) Stay away from tomato based products, soups, spaghetti sauces,catsup,very high in sugar.Fruit packed in its own juice,(libby's has a brand Natural Fruit)anything sugar free
   — nancy B.

February 11, 2001
Cindy, I am 10 months post op RNY with 5 feet bypassed. I had the 'dumping' issue early on -- even with only a bit or two of 'bad' foods. Now, I rarely dump at all and I've never vomited. Natural sugars (fruits, 100% fruit juices, tomato products and such) have NEVER caused me ill effects. But, at this point, I can now eat regular sugars and not suffer ill effects -- so now I have to keep a better watch so I don't get more calories or get into bad habits. Now, some people may warn you to stay away from all sorts of foods that aren't really 'bad' for us -- but I think they are trying to warn us about not getting our calorie intake too high or not to start up with the old bad habits again. I've found that variety is, indeed, the spice of life. I like to add canned peaches (canned in pear juice) to my cottage cheese. I like to sit down with a mango and a paring knife and enjoy it while I watch t.v. Strawberries are a great treat. I buy orange juice (100%) in the bottle and drink it when others stop for a soda. Now, grape juice is normally too concentrated with the natural sweet stuff, so I wouldn't choose that or I'd water it down. Our tastes change a lot too, after surgery and even after a couple of months beyond surgery. At first, for a week, I have so much artificially sweetened yogurt and pudding that I wouldn't touch the stuff for a couple of months -- then, I discovered that I liked the taste of it again. Its all trial-and-error. I was 275 and now I'm 175, at 5'7" and it feels wonderful. Best wishes to you on your upcoming surgery.
   — Cindy H.

February 11, 2001
Check out http://www.sabariatric.com Lots of info for RNY patients including what kinds of sugar to avoid.
   — [Anonymous]

February 11, 2001
If you dump and don't vomit then how do you dump ? I thought vomiting was dumping?
   — Mike H.

February 11, 2001
Cindy, you could have 100 people answer your post - telling of their personal experience, and none of them may have the same experience with sugar that you will. Some people dump on every kind of sugar (even natural sugars as found in fruits and fruit juices), and some people never dump at all. Most people are somewhere in the middle. Your only choice is to try different foods yourself (small quantities of course), and see how your body reacts. The bottom line is nobody, including your surgeon, can be sure on what your body will be able to tolerate until you try. And keep in mind, even if you learn what your "new diet" will be like at 5 months, your body's tolerance may change at 12 months. Try not to worry too much about this. Just expect that you may need to be flexible with your new body, and its relationship with food. Good luck !!!! Kevin
   — meilankev

February 11, 2001
It depends on what you are really wanting to know. How many g of sugar will make you dump? Or how many can you get in before it triggers regain? I've always used 6g per MEAL as a rule of thumb. When I get silly, I dump. If I do it a few more times, I regain. I do have fruit occasionally, but avoid processed fruit products routinely. Even No Sugar Added applesauce contains double what I allow myself. That isn't to say I NEVER touch the stuff, but it is a very conscious choice when I do it. It could cost me a size and I'm not willing to go back up. If I'm GOING to get sugar, it's going to be deliberate and calculated. I'm not going to fall victim to hidden sugars.
   — vitalady

February 12, 2001
Like Kevin said, you'll have different responses based on everyone's personal experiences. For me, eating the fruit is fine. I just have a problem when I drink the juice. Not sure why. Test a little bit and see how you body responds. Good luck. 9 months post-op and 106 lbs gone forever!
   — Maxine E.

February 18, 2001
I've had adverse reations to sugar alcohols, grape and apple juice and regular sugar. I sweeten some things with honey and have never had a problem with that. I do allow myself a little sugar, usually in the form of chocolate, but try not to go overboard as it will cause mild dumping and severe gas. I try to stay away from artificial sweetners just because I'm trying to ingest fewer chemicals and more "real" food.
   — Kellie L.