Post-Gastrectomy Diet
This diet is designed for patients to follow after a gastrectomy (stomach surgery).
Important points to keep in mind:
Your body needs added calories and protein to help heal itself. Start slowly and gradually eat more as you are able.
Eat small, frequent meals at least six times per day. See sample menu on a following page.
Everyone tolerates foods differently. Avoid those foods known to cause you problems.
Keep high-calorie snacks handy, such as cheese, peanut butter crackers, and yogurt.
Pack extra protein into foods by adding shredded cheese, dry milk powder, or peanut butter.
Drink only nutritious beverages. Try milk, eggnog (without alcohol), or unsweetened juice instead of coffee, tea, diet soda, or water.
Report any weight loss to your doctor.
About Dumping Syndrome
When food or fluids move too quickly through your digestive system, it’s called “dumping syndrome.” Symptoms of dumping syndrome are:
It’s very important to tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
Here are some tips to help avoid dumping syndrome:
Don’t drink liquids with your meals. Wait one-half to one full hour after eating solid food to drink something.
Limit sweets. Use sugar-free foods and drinks in place of regular sweet foods or drinks.
Lactose (milk sugar) may also cause diarrhea and cramping. Drink lactose-free or lactose reduced milk, or take lactase enzyme tablets (like Dairy Ease) when you eat dairy products.
Adding extra fats (like butter, margarine, cheese, gravy, cream, or sour cream) to foods may help slow down the movement of food through your system.
Avoid extremely hot or cold foods.
Avoid carbonated drinks and alcohol.
Eat slowly and chew your food carefully.
Post-Gastrectomy Diet
Meat, fish, poultry, and cheese
Serving size: 2 to 3 oz.
Count one egg or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter as 1 oz. |
- Any meat, poultry, or fish (as tolerated)
- Peanut butter
- Eggs
- Cheese and cottage cheese
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- At least 2 or 3 servings (6 oz.)
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Milk
Serving size: 1 cup |
- Milk, cream, and yogurt
- Fortified soy milk, lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk
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- At least 2 servings (if tolerated)
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Starches
Serving size: 1 slice or 1/2 cup |
- Any breads, cereals, and rolls
- Rice, pasta, and potatoes
- Muffins
- Crackers
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Vegetables
Serving size: 1/2 cup cooked vegetables or 1 cup raw vegetables |
- Any vegetable or vegetable juice (as tolerated)- boost calories by adding extra butter or salad dressing
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Fruits
Serving size: 1 medium piece of fresh fruit or 1/2 cup canned fruit |
- Any fresh fruit, unsweetened canned fruits, and unsweetened fruit juice
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| Fats |
- Butter, margarine, oil, salad dressing, mayonnaise, and cream cheese
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add extra fats to all foods
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| *Sweets and desserts |
- Sugar-free pudding, custards, plain cake, and cookies
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* Foods that are high in sugar may cause dumping syndrome in some people. Use sugar-free items, or eat sweets with a meal to limit symptoms.
Sample menu
| Breakfast |
- 1/2 banana
- 1 slice toast
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons margarine
- 1 cup 2% milk (drink 1/2 to 1 hour after eating)
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| Snack |
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| Lunch |
- 2 oz. hamburger
- 1 small bun
- 1/2 cup fruit cocktail
- 1/2 cup vegetable juice (drink 1/2 to 1 hour after eating)
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Snack |
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 3 graham crackers
- 1/2 cup orange juice (drink 1/2 to 1 hour after eating)
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| Dinner |
- 1/2 chicken breast
- 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup green beans
- 2 teaspoons margarine
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1 cup 2% milk (drink 1/2 to 1 hour after eating)
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| Snack |
- 1/2 turkey sandwich
- 1 cup 2% milk (drink 1/2 to 1 hour after eating)
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