Question:
What types of fresh or canned fruit can I have without dumping?

My letter from my surgeon says that I can have fresh, canned, frozen, or cooked fruit. Be Cautious with apples, grapes or other fruits with peels or skins, also, don't eat fruits with a core, seeds or skin whole sitrus fruits like grapefruit and oranges. Citrus fruits should be juiced. Now what I want to know is, what does that leave for fruit to eat? And is there a way for me to know how much natural sugar there is in that piece of fruit? (A guide on the web?) I hear cantalope is bad for dumping, but watermelon is good. Any other fruits to stay away from or to eat freely? Thanks, (I just don't want to dump again!) Annie    — Annie R. (posted on August 14, 2001)

August 14, 2001
I eat bananas, I can eat half of a medium banana. I do eat "canned" fruits and I do not experience dumping. I eat those little cups of fruit that kids take in their lunch boxes. I think you get about 4oz. of peaches, pears, pineapple, mised fruit...the portion size is perfect. I also eat the little cups of applesauce. I was cautioned about seeds, skins and peels too, I, discard the core, skin my apples and chew well. I do eat...including the skin. I eat watermelon but I try not to eat the seeds. I stay away from citrus fruits. Separating the fruit from the membrane is just too much work! I might be wrong, but, the membranes of oranges and grapefruit seems like it could present problems if swallowed. I tried cantalope; but, it took too long to chew!
   — [Anonymous]

August 14, 2001
I've never had a dumping problem with any of the fresh fruits. Watermelon, Cantaloupe, peeled apples, peeled pears, tomatos, bananas, jicama - are all things that I personally do fine with. I've also eaten unsweetened apple sauce and the "lite" canned fruits (like fruit cocktail) with no problem. Mandarin oranges in the can are good too. Just watch the sugar content per servings of your canned fruits. The syrup they're in can be the problem. Good luck.
   — T.L. S.

August 14, 2001
I enjoy all fresh and frozen fruits and have also had canned pineapple in its own juice, unsweetened applesauce and mandarine oranges. I rinse the oranges in a colander before eating them because they are usually canned with sugar. The only thing that I have ever dumped on was 100% orange juice. Don't know if it is just too concentrated because I have no problems eating oranges or grapefruit. In fact about 4 months post-op I began CRAVING grapefruit and would indulge in them at least once a day. Good thing it was winter and they were in abundance! That was the only time that I really had to work hard at getting my protein in because all I really wanted was GRAPEFRUIT!!! My husband (post-op also) loves bananas and watermelon.
   — livnliter

August 14, 2001
I had my lap rny 6/11/01 and so far I have tried fresh cantaloupe, watermelon, mango, blueberries(I spit out the skins), strawberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, grapes (I spit out the skins), cherries, bananas and papaya. I have also used canned peaches and pears in natural juices, no sugar added. I have not dumped nor have I felt nauseous. I also have not eaten more than 1/4 to 1/2 cup at a time. Try a little and see how you do... I dont think most people have major dumping problems. I think a majority of us do quite well with most foods as long as we eat slowly, small pieces and chew very well. Good luck with experimenting with new foods!
   — SusanMaria

August 14, 2001
The problem with fruit that have skins is that the skins are hard to digest. You don't eat cores either. That leaves the seeds, which many citrus fruit have, that is why you should juice them. It isn't that you can't have them. I think your doctor may have failed to mention that you can eat most fruit but, you need to avoid the skins, seeds, cores. So just remove them. If you preffer canned fruit, just make sure it in not syrup packed or sugar packed. Try water packed or packed in its own juices. Check the sugar contents before eating them. Too much sugar may make you dump. Good luck. Don't forget to really chew the firm fruits.
   — Carla C.