Learning About Chyle Leak and Your Diet

Chyle (say "kile") is a fluid made in your digestive system. It contains fat, proteins, and white blood cells. Chyle travels through small vessels called lymphatics and enters your bloodstream. A chyle leak happens when one of these vessels is damaged and chyle spills out. This can happen after surgery, after an injury, or from certain health conditions.

When chyle leaks, fluid can build up in your chest or belly. A chyle leak also can keep you from getting the nutrition you need.

When you eat fat, it gets absorbed into your lymphatic system and becomes part of chyle. The more fat you eat, the more chyle your body makes. That makes the leak worse.

Eating a very low-fat diet reduces how much chyle your body makes. This gives the leak a chance to heal on its own. In some cases, your care team may recommend a feeding tube or intravenous (I.V.) nutrition to rest the lymphatic system.

The goal of a chyle leak diet is to eat as little fat as possible, especially a type of fat called long-chain triglycerides (LCTs). LCTs are found in most regular fats and oils, full-fat dairy products, meats, and many packaged foods.

Your care team will tell you exactly how much fat you can have each day. Some people are allowed to use a special type of fat called medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). MCTs are absorbed differently, and they add much less to chyle production than LCTs do. Ask your care team if MCT oil is an option for you.

Here are some guidelines to help you follow a diet for a chyle leak.

• Read the Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods.
  • Look at the Total Fat line. Aim for foods with 0 to 3 grams of fat per serving, or as directed by your care team.
  • Check the serving size. Fat content is listed per serving, not per package.
  • Choose foods labeled "fat-free" or "nonfat."
  • Avoid foods labeled "light" unless you know that the fat content is within your daily limit.
• Select foods from these groups.
  • Fat-free dairy products, such as skim milk, nonfat yogurt, and fat-free cheese
  • Egg whites
  • Most fruits and vegetables, prepared without added fat
  • Plain grains and starches, such as bread, rice, pasta, and cereal
  • Lean proteins, such as skinless white-meat chicken or white fish, prepared without added fat
  • Fat-free broth or soups made without cream or oil
• Avoid these foods.
  • Whole milk, cream, butter, regular cheese, and full-fat dairy
  • Fried foods or anything cooked in oil
  • Fatty meats, such as bacon, sausage, ground beef, and dark poultry
  • Nuts, seeds, nut butters, and avocado
  • Salad dressings, mayonnaise, and sauces made with fat
  • Packaged snacks and baked goods, such as chips, cookies, and crackers
  • Coconut milk and coconut oil, unless your doctor says they are okay.
• Use some tips for planning meals.
  • Plan meals ahead of time so you always have low-fat options ready.
  • Cook with nonfat cooking spray or water instead of oil or butter.
  • Read labels before buying any packaged food.
  • Ask your care team about working with a registered dietitian. They can help you build a meal plan that meets your nutrition needs while staying within your fat limit.
• Contact your care team if:
  • You are having trouble finding foods that you can eat.
  • You are losing weight quickly or feel like you are not getting enough nutrition.
  • You have questions about MCT oil or other supplements.
  • Your symptoms get worse or you develop new symptoms.