After recovering from a gallbladder attack in which you've had gallstones removed, you probably want to avoid a repeat performance. Although most gallstones produce no symptoms, an unlucky 10 percent or so of sufferers experience acute pain from their gallstones. Although it's not entirely clear if changing your diet will keep gallstones from forming, there's some evidence that certain foods can help. Fortunately, the foods recommended to prevent gallstones can improve your health in other ways, as well.
Gallstone Formation
Gallstones occur more frequently in women than in men and in certain ethnic groups. Notably, people of northern European and Hispanic descent suffer from them more often. In addition, if you're overweight or if you have diabetes, you're at a higher risk of developing gallstones. People who consume a high-fat diet seem to develop gallstones more often, especially if they're also obese. Therefore, even if you don't make other dietary changes, you should cut back on the fat in your diet -- especially the saturated fat found in animal products -- to prevent future gallstones. However, the oil found in fish may help you prevent gallstones, and monounsaturated oils such as olive oil also may play a protective role.
Food Groups
Advice to avoid future gallstones probably sounds like a lot of other dietary advice: Eat more fruits and vegetables. But eating plenty of plant-based foods may help you prevent a repeat of your gallbladder problem and forestall gallbladder-removal surgery. When you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, you also get plenty of fiber -- and that has been shown to help your gallbladder health, as well. Finally, nuts may reduce your risk of gallstones, so reach for a handful of almonds, walnuts, peanuts or pecans. Of course, all these foods may have benefits for your heart and your waistline, as well.
Foods to Avoid
When you're trying to prevent gallstone attacks, eliminate foods that may aggravate your condition. That means ditching most sugar-laden products. Although small amounts of sugar probably won't hurt you, very high consumption of sugar seems to promote gallstone formation. Skip sugar-sweetened sodas and candies, except as a special treat. In addition, avoid highly refined baked goods, because white flour quickly turns to sugar in the bloodstream. Whole grains may help protect against gallstones.
Considerations
Even if you need to lose weight after gallstone removal, you shouldn't try to lose it too quickly. Very low-calorie fad diets and liquid diets may promote gallstones, so you should avoid them. Talk with your doctor about how aggressively you can diet without risking a repeat gallstone attack. In most cases, if you drop the pounds slowly and steadily, you can return to a healthy weight safely. In some cases, your physician may recommend that you take a prescription medication designed to break down gallstones as a preventive measure during your diet.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease - Symptoms; June 26, 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease - Risk Factors; June 26, 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease - Prevention; June 26, 2009
- NetWellness.com; What Type of Diet Should I Be On If I Have Gallbladder Problems?; University of Cincinnati Lisa Cicciarello Andrews, MEd, RD, LD; July 14, 2010
