There isn't one specific diet that sufferers from gallstones should follow, but you do have to limit or avoid certain foods if you want to get well soon. Doing so can help reduce the symptoms caused by gallstones, but you may still require professional treatment from your health care provider. Never self-diagnose or self-treat, as this could lead to further complications, and always follow the diet recommended by your health-care provider.
Low-Fat Diet
Following a low-fat diet may help to decrease the symptoms of gallstones, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your liver produces larger amounts of bile when you consume fatty foods, thus forcing your gallbladder to store greater amounts of concentrated bile, which can result in gallstones. By eating a low-fat diet, your liver does not produce as much bile, which can help to reduce gallstones and their symptoms, according to "Coping with Gallstones."
Low-Cholesterol Diet
Eating foods low in cholesterol can help reduce gallstones and lessen the severity of gallstone symptoms. Foods high in cholesterol can aggravate an already inflamed gallbladder and even cause a healthy gallbladder to become inflamed. Avoid foods such as eggs, baked goods and fried, greasy items such as fried chicken or fried onion rings. Egg yolks are high in cholesterol, so if you must eat eggs, remove the yolk. Avoiding refined or processed foods can help to reduce cholesterol levels, as they are often processed with butter, trans fat margarines or other unhealthy, cholesterol-raising fats. Examples of processed or refined foods include pastas, white bread and cheese.
Eat Plenty of Fruits
Eating fruits that are high in antioxidants may help reduce gallstone symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This doesn't mean you need to become a vegetarian, although avoiding meat, especially red meat, may help. Fruits are easy to digest and do not require your liver and gallbladder to process as much bile. The antioxidants found in fruits may also help boost your immune system and aid with gallbladder inflammation caused by the gallstones, according to "Coping with Gallstones."
Considerations
Gallstones can lead to serious complications and may require surgery. Do not self-treat gallstones, as this could worsen your condition. Talk to your health-care provider about your current diet and ask for suggestions to improve it. He may recommend consuming less fat and cholesterol, along with increasing your exercise regimen for optimum results. Drinking more water may also help lessen the symptoms of gallstones.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gallbladder Disease
- "Coping with Gallstones"; Joan Gomez; 2000
