Question:
NEED GUIDELINES ON APPROPRIATE SUGARS

I've read a lot about sugar intake causing dumping postop but not much regarding the less obvious culprits... for example; of course something as sweet as a candy bar is a given but what about certain fruits that are naturally high in sugar such as grapes? Or salad dressings that might have 2-3 grams per tbs, or bread with 3-4 grams? Do I have to give up ALL sugars? Please--- some answers! This has been driving me crazy- it should be no problem with buying food from the grocery store that I will have labels to refer to but what about in a restaurant or potluck? Michelle    — michelle57 (posted on July 23, 2003)

July 23, 2003
As with most things in life, everyone's different when it comes to what makes them dump. I have dumped on 4 ounces of apple juice, so I avoid fruit juices. However, I have had a couple of bites of birthday cake and cheesecake three or four times with no dumping at all (maybe I didn't eat enough of it to dump). I have no problems with fresh fruits, or with things like tomato-based sauces or baked beans, which I've heard other people say they dump on. I think you'll have to wait it out and see what kinds of fresh fruits you can tolerate. Perhaps there's a nutrition book out there that can give you the sugar/carb levels of fresh foods to help you.
   — Vespa R.

July 24, 2003
"Natural" sugar does not make it less deadly for us. Never mind dumping (that's immediate), but what to worry is weight regain or stop-loss. I will eat 4 grapes or 2 cubes watermelon at a potluck (2 C watermelon = 25g sugar, or a small Milky Way). Any more & I'm playing with fire. I could go home with pants that are too tight! I treat them rather like cookies & such. Having regained twice (candy once, fruit the second time), I approach all sugar items with extreme caution
   — vitalady

July 27, 2003
As far as dumping goes, the culprit is usually refined sugars (white table sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, honey, molasses). Many of the alternatives that we tolerate (i.e. fructose and turbinado sugar) shouldn't usually cause dumping but still have calories, unlike the fake sweeteners like equal and sweet-n-low. Splenda is made from real sugar but isn't a chemical like Equal and Sweet-N-Low and doesn't add calories. See my profile page for a link to a recipe book. The webpage has sample recipes, photos and ordering information. Good luck to you!
   — Lynette B.