While high blood cholesterol levels increase your risk of heart disease, it can also increase your risk of developing other health problems, such as gallstones. Gallstones are pebble-like substances that form in your gallbladder, which can block the flow of bile -- a substance that helps you digest fat -- from your liver to your small intestines ultimately causing the gallbladder to become infected and inflamed. Modifying your diet to limit your fat intake can improve your blood cholesterol levels and help limit the pain associated with an infected gallbladder.
Fat
Your total fat intake for treating both your gallstones and cholesterol should range from 40 to 60 g a day. Limiting your total fat intake will limit bile production and gallbladder contractions. In addition to limiting your total fat intake, you also need to limit your intake of saturated fat to less than 15 g a day, trans fat to less than 2 g a day and dietary cholesterol to less than 200 mg a day to reduce blood cholesterol levels. Read food labels to help you track and limit your fat intake.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are naturally fat-free, and are not restricted on your low-fat diet plan. To limit your fat intake, be sure to prepare your fruits and vegetables without sauces or added fats. In addition to being naturally fat-free, fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber, and can help reduce your blood cholesterol levels.
Grains
Grains are also a good source of fiber, but can be a source of fat. Read food labels to help you limit your intake. Depending on your calorie needs, you should include five to 11 servings of grains a day. Good choices include whole wheat bread, whole grain cereals, fat-free crackers, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, couscous, millet, quinoa and air-popped popcorn.
Meat and Meat Alternatives
Meats can be a source of fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. To limit your intake, choose lean cuts of meat such as lean pork chops and beef tenderloin, white meat poultry and fish. You should limit your intake of meats to 5 to 6 oz. a day. Legumes, such as chickpeas and kidney beans, make healthy meat alternatives for your low-fat diet for gallstones and cholesterol. In addition to being low in fat, legumes are also high in fiber.
Dairy Products
Some dairy products also contain fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. Choose low-fat or nonfat items to limit your intake, such as nonfat milk, 1 percent fat milk, nonfat yogurt and low-fat cheese. Include two servings of dairy foods a day on your diet plan.
Fats
You need to limit your intake of all fats to less than three servings a day on your low-fat diet plan for gallstones and cholesterol. Choices and serving sizes include 1 tsp. of butter, margarine or oil, 10 peanuts, 1 tbsp. of low-fat mayonnaise or salad dressing or eight olives.
References
- RD411; Low Fat Diet; Sheryl Lozicki; January 2010
- American Heart Association: Step I , Step II and TLC Diets
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders; Gallstones; July 2007
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan, Sylvia Escott-Stump; 1996
