What Foods Should A Gallstone Patient Consume?

If you suffer from gallstones, it is important that you consult an expert who will prescribe the appropriate treatment for you. There are a few foods that can help you relieve symptoms.

A patient with gallstones often only realizes late what they are actually suffering from. You may ignore the symptoms for too long, but knowing what it is and how to treat it is really important.

The gallbladder is an organ that belongs to our digestive system and it is located on the right side of our body, very close to the abdominal cavity.

It may be small, but its function is fundamental because it is where bile accumulates. It is a liquid that is necessary for proper digestion.

In our article you can find out how gallstones develop and which diets are suitable to prevent and remove them.

Gallstones

These are crystals or debris that lodge in the gallbladder. This situation creates discomfort as the stones get bigger.

Their size is very variable. The smallest are only as big as a grain of sand and the largest are like a golf ball.

A patient with gallstones will have these symptoms

The signs are so common that it can be difficult to pinpoint the disease. Be careful because it can easily be mistaken for digestive problems. A  patient with gallstones  often has these symptoms :

• Pain on deep breath
• Colic in the abdomen
• Pain in the right side of the rib cage that may extend to the right shoulder or back
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever: this occurs when there is an infection

• Flatulence
• Pale feces
• Jaundice: your skin turns yellow due to the accumulation of bile, which is also yellow

Reasons for gallstones

There are several reasons that can cause gallstones. In the following we name a few:

• When substances like cholesterol, bilirubin or calcium carbonate harden or crystallize.
• When you are obese, more cholesterol is deposited in the gallbladder.
• If you exercise too little and eat too many calories and carbohydrates, gallstones can also occur.
• Lightning diets that promise to lose 10 pounds in a week. This sudden change in diet can lead to gallstones or existing gallstones increasing in size.

Further information for the patient with gallstones

According to the study “Gallstones and their Complications”, between 10% and 20% of the western population suffer from this disease.

It is also mentioned that while the disease remains symptom-free in some, painful symptoms and even complications result in many cases . Furthermore, the study states that patients with gallstones are often older people and women.

Nutrition for the patient with gallstones

It is essential to have a balanced diet if you have gallbladder problems. A change in diet is often prescribed. If you suffer from the symptoms, the following foods are recommended :

• Any kind of vegetables. It is best to prepare it lightly cooked, because it is easier to digest.
• Fruit, apart from coconut and avocado

• Whole grain products, because they contain a lot of fiber. It’s best to eat whole wheat pasta, rice, or bread.
• Low-fat meat that you grill without oil. If you have chicken, remove the skin first.
• Low-fat milk or dairy products.
• water
• Fruit juice

These foods should be grilled or steamed as our goal is to get fat out of the diet. This is why you should also avoid fatty foods, such as:

• Fatty meat such as sausage, ribs, goose or duck meat.
• Oily fish: sardines, salmon or tuna
• Oily foods like almonds, peanuts, nuts, and chestnuts
• Whole milk and other fat dairy products
• Offal: kidney, heart, liver, intestines
• Animal fat
• Alcoholic drinks
• Desserts: biscuits, chocolate, puff pastry
• Greasy sauces

How do you prevent gallstones through diet?

A balanced diet prevents all diseases. That is also valid in this case. Here are some tips for you:

• Consume monounsaturated fatty acids in moderate amounts. This includes, for example, extra virgin olive oil.
• Consume lecithins as they keep cholesterol low. You can find this substance in chocolate made from 100% cocoa, eggs, soy and milk.
• Have a turmeric tea in the afternoon. Curcumin is an antioxidant that promotes digestion and liver metabolism. It also reduces inflammation and prevents gallstones from forming.
• Exercise. In this way you avoid many diseases that are associated with insufficient exercise.

Talk to your doctor about this and get examined if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above. It is always best to know that everything is in order in the organism.