Gallstones are calcium or cholesterol deposits that block the ducts of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is an organ that sits below the liver. It's responsible for holding the bile that is excreted from the liver. Bile helps digest fatty foods, and it is excreted when you eat a fatty meal. When gallstones are present, excretion of bile causes extreme pain. Eating low-fat foods is the key to controlling the release of bile and reducing the amount of gallstone pain attacks.
Dairy
Avoid normal, full-fat dairy products. If you want to eat or drink dairy products, stick to low-fat versions to reduce the number of gallstone pain attacks. Instead of whole milk, drink low-fat 1 percent or skim milk. For those who like ice cream, eat sorbet or sherbet instead. Switch to ow-fat yogurt for breakfast instead of eating full-fat versions of the the dairy product. When choosing cheeses, choose reduced fat varieties or choose cheeses with the least amount of fat.
Meat
Meat products have the highest amount of fat in the diet. If you have gallstones, you should avoid meat, but there are alternatives available. Choose low-fat cold cuts for sandwiches and choose low-fat hot dogs. When eating poultry, do not eat the skin, as it is high in fat. Eat egg whites instead of the yolk. The yolk contains a large percentage of fat. When available, eat vegetarian versions of certain dishes, like burgers and sausages.
Snacks
Avoid sweets and desserts. Instead, choose snacks that are high in fiber and low in fat. Munch on fruits and vegetables instead of fatty snacks. Popcorn is a good choice, but do not choose one that is drenched in butter or salt. Frozen yogurt is a good alternative for ice cream, and eating low-sugar and low-fat pudding is good for people with a sweet tooth.
