According to MayoClinic.com, gallstones occur when crystalline deposits of digestive fluid form in the gallbladder. The most common types of gallstones tend to result from an excess of cholesterol in the bile. To prevent the pain associated with gallstone attacks, physicians and alternative medicine practitioners advise a change in diet. Knowing which foods to avoid will lessen discomfort and could prevent new gallstones from forming. Consider eliminating high-risk foods that might aggravate your gallstone condition.
Eggs
Physicians recommend cutting back or removing eggs from the diet because of their high cholesterol levels and the possibility of a correlation between gallbladder conditions and food allergies. A 1968 study by J.C. Breneman titled "Allergy elimination diet as the most effective gallbladder diet" focused on a group of gallstone patients to determine if dietary allergens affected their symptoms. Consumption of eggs triggered gallbladder attacks in a high percentage of the study group.
Fatty Meats
The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals recommends avoiding meats with a high fat content. This includes red meat, pork, lunch meats, sausages and oily fishes. Substitute fatty meats with lean meat protein sources such as cold water fish, chicken and turkey. When preparing poultry, always remove the skin and fat to avoid gallstone irritation.
Fried Foods
Eliminate deep fried foods from your diet. This also includes many fast foods notoriously high in saturated fats. Avoid cooking with solid vegetable shortening, margarine and animal fat. Frying food with partially hydrogenated fat, trans fat and saturated fats will aggravate gallstone pain and discomfort. Use olive or canola oil as a healthy alternative for frying.
Processed Foods
Trans fatty acids, typically present in packaged foods, tend to induce gallstone symptoms according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Many food manufacturers have reduced or eliminated trans fats from their product lines, but check nutritional labels just to make sure. If in doubt, avoid packaged food items like potato chips, crackers, cookies, doughnuts, dessert or side dish mixes.
Refined Foods
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, patients with gallstone disease should refrain from eating foods containing refined ingredients. White bread, refined flour pastas, white rice and refined sugar convert to stored fat, which might lead to an increase in cholesterol in the bile. Stick to unrefined foods such as whole grain breads, whole wheat pastas and brown rice. Dietary changes might reduce symptoms and prevent the need for surgery.
Dairy
HealthHype.com warns that whole fat dairy products pose a risk for those diagnosed with gallstones. Milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, heavy cream and sour cream contain high levels of animal fat--a common link to gallbladder complications. Try reducing the amount of dairy in your diet or purchase low fat and skim substitutes. This will provide the necessary dietary calcium required to maintain healthy bones and teeth.
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