The winter holidays bring a multitude of dietary challenges for any health conscious individual. For the weight loss surgery patient (WLS), who must avoid sugar intake, the season can be frustrating. Sugar intake is a real concern for people who’ve had gastric bypass, in fact most patients fear sugar. The foremost fear isn’t weight gain, it’s dumping. Foods containing sugar pass too quickly through the small pouch, they are rapidly absorbed and cause insulin levels to drop resulting in dumping syndrome.

Some WLS patients will turn to sugar-free candies to replace to old traditional sugar laden favorites. But the sugar-free candy comes with a price too. It contains sugar alcohol which is known to cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. In addition the candy can be consumed slowly in large quantity and often results in severe discomfort for the WLS patient. Patients who have consumed excessive quantities of sugar-alcohol products report an initial dull tummy ache. The tummy ache soon becomes severe bloating, cramping and gas. One woman reported pain so severe she begged to be taken to the hospital fearing she may soon explode.

There is not much to do in the case of excessive consumption of sugar-free products except wait-out the uncomfortable symptoms. Some patients report relief after taking an anti-diarrheal products containing bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol). Other patients have found relief from eating saltine crackers in moderation.

Candy that contains Mannitol, a common sugar alcohol extracted from seaweed, bears this package warning, “Warning: excessive consumption can cause a laxative effect” Mannitol is found naturally in pineapples, olives, asparagus, sweet potatoes and carrots. It’s about 60% as sweet as sugar, so more product is needed to replicate the sweetness of sugar. Mannitol lingers in the intestines for a long time and therefore causes bloating and diarrhea.

Sugar alcohol can also be called Sorbitol, Xylitol, Lactitol, Isomalt and Maltitol.

The American Diabetes Association claims that sugar alcohols are acceptable in a moderate amount but should not be eaten in excess. In addition, weight gain has been seen when these products are overeaten. For gastric bypass patients generally the key, as in all eating, must be moderation. And of course, we can always rely on the old advice of conventional dieters, “Hungry for something sweet? Reach for a piece of fruit.”

Kaye Bailey © 2005 - All Rights Reserved

LivingAfterWLS
LivingAfterWLS Blog

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