Food for a Gallstone Diet

If you have gallstones or gall bladder disease and have suffered an attack following a high fat meal you are not alone. Some can eat a high fat food at one meal and tolerate it. The number of high fat meals you have in a day will result in a negative cumulative effect. Eating Items such as hot dogs and sausages, pate, cheese, doughnuts and almost any other deep fried foods are likely to result in a painful, debilitating attack.

Gallstone Diet

To prevent gallstone formation and to reduce the likelihood of painful attacks if you already suffer from stones, it is important to reduce your intake of foods high in cholesterol and fats. Natural fiber intake plus plenty of water helps keep the gallbladder healthy.

A 1999 observational study by Michael F. Leitzmann, M.D., et al, published in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" tracked 36,000 male physicians for ten years and revealed that those who consumed two to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day had a 40 percent reduction in gallbladder disease. Doctors who drank more than three cups of coffee had a higher reduction in incidence. Caffeine may not be appropriate for you, so before adding it to your diet or increasing your intake check with your health care provider.

Water Soluble Fiber

Better known as fruits and vegetables, water soluble fiber is an important ingredient in your diet. Some suggestions include grapes, apples, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, oranges, cherries and dried fruit such as prunes, raisins, apricots and dates.

In order to include more vegetables in your diet you need to experiment to find those that your enjoy. Once you have identified your favorites, experiment with different ways to prepare them. Some vegetables that are high in water soluble fiber include carrots, cucumber, celery, beets, broccoli, beans, corn, cauliflower. lettuce, tomatoes and spinach.

Grains and Spices

Whole grains help in the process of elimination. Adding whole grain bread, granola and whole wheat pasta to your daily diet will add additional fiber. Oats are another way to include more fiber in your diet. Two spices that help with elimination are turmeric and ginger. It is easy to include these spices in your diet--especially if you enjoy Indian cuisine.

Protein and Dairy

The replacement of proteins high in fats such as steak, duck and fatty fish with low fat choices is an important ingredient in your gallstone diet. Eating low fat proteins help reduce the chance of gallstone attack. Suggestions include chicken, white meat turkey, fish and lean meats. Try to avoid processed meats because they contain more fat and sodium. Nuts are a good source of protein as well and include options such as peanuts, almonds, pistachios and walnuts.

If you enjoy dairy products, opt for low fat or fat free milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and sour cream. Try to avoid full fat cheeses and butter and recipes made with them.

Alcholol

According to the Mayo Clinic, alcohol consumption in moderation may reduce your chance of of gallstone formation. This comes with a caveat: the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption are not certain, and its use may not be beneficial to everyone. Before adding alcohol to your gallstone diet, talk with your health care provider to weigh risks versus benefits for you.