Dietary Advice

A variety of simple modifications to diet may be made by patients suffering or recovering from the treatment of a number of General Surgical conditions. The commonly employed diets are listed below for download. They are not intended to treat food allergies.

True food allergies and conditions such as Coeliac Disease (an immunologically mediated intolerance to wheat) are happily extremely rare in adult patients. Dangerous (anaphylactic) allergic reactions to well recognised stimuli like nuts are widely understood, usually avoidable and should only be managed by doctors.

Despite these facts all too commonly a false perception exists amongst many patients that allergies to foodstuffs abound. This is a perception which is largely generated by the media and those wishing to profit through the ignorance and pseudo-science of the “allergy business”.

Anyone who has experienced disruption of their normal body functions by an excess of a particular foodstuff (chilli, kiwi fruit, beer etc) would not have too much trouble understanding that the wide variety of compounds consumed by a human being in 21st century western society may cause gastrointestinal outcomes that are not always to their complete satisfaction.

This disfavour may or may not lead them make choices about their diet. It does not mean they have an allergy. Managing the symptoms of abdominal conditions with diet should not cost money.

High Fibre Diet (Low irritant) –  Diverticular Disease, Piles, Fissure and other anorectal conditions

Low Residue (Fibre) Diet – Diverticulitis and Diverticular Disease

Low Fat/ Fat Free Diet – Gallstones 

High Energy Build Up diet – Pre and Post Surgery, Cancer treatment

Ileostomy Diet – Ileostomy

FODMAP Diet – IBS