5 Foods for gallstone sufferers that are safe and healthy

The gallbladder is an organ that stores bile and is located between the liver and the intestines. Well, this bag can become clogged with a pile of cholesterol or liquid from the liver that hardens into stones. This condition is called gallstones. People with this condition must maintain their lifestyle, especially food choices. What are the foods for gallstone sufferers? Come on, see the following reviews.

Various types of food for gallstone sufferers

The gallbladder passes bile produced by the liver to the small intestine to help digest food, especially fatty foods. Usually, symptoms will appear when cholesterol has accumulated and clogs the bile ducts.

Symptoms of gallstones vary, generally they can cause pain in the upper abdomen or back, nausea, vomiting, and other digestive problems.

This condition is very disturbing and even hinders your daily activities. If you have gallstones, in addition to taking medication, taking care of and choosing foods is important. Because not all foods support gallbladder health, some foods may make the condition worse. In addition, the food consumed should not make you gain weight.

Some foods for gallstone sufferers that are safe and healthy to enjoy include:

1. Vegetables and fruit

Vegetables and fruit are fat-free foods, except for avocados which have good fats. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that are important for the body.

Well, for you gallstone patients, fruits and vegetables can be the best choices for you to consume. Especially those high in vitamin C, calcium, or B vitamins, such as citrus fruits, mushrooms, strawberries, or papayas.

Although healthy, also pay attention to how to wash and process it. We recommend that you wash the fruit under clean running water and choose how to cook it steamed, boiled, or baked.

2. Seeds and nuts

Bread and whole grains are foods high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are good for the body. Most whole grains are also low in fat, making them a safe and healthy food for gallstones. So, choose bread or cereal made from wheat germ.

Apart from whole grains, various types of nuts are also safe as food for gallstone sufferers. There are tempeh and tofu, simple foods made from soybeans and very easy to prepare.

You can also enjoy other nuts, such as almonds or walnuts for an added vegetable salad, oats, or yogurt for a snack. However, you must also pay attention to the portions, don't overdo it.

3. Fat free milk

Usually, people who are on a strict diet will be advised to eat fat only as much as 30 percent of their total calories. Now, people with gallstones should consume less fat than that number.

So indeed the intake of fat for people with gallstones is very limited. For that, patients need to pay attention to milk and milk products that do contain fat. You can still enjoy the delicious milk as long as you choose dairy products, such as cheese or low-fat milk.

4. Lean meat

Apart from milk, meat is a food that tends to contain lots of fat. But don't worry, you can still enjoy chicken or beef. Choose beef that has been set aside for the fat. Meanwhile, for chicken, just choose the meat without the skin.

5. Sweet foods

If you are a person who likes sweet foods, you can still eat sweets. For example, fruit ice, fruit ice cream, or yogurt. In addition, candy or marshmallows are also fat-free foods that are still safe for consumption. However, the portions must still be limited to prevent excess calorie intake.

6. Fish

Fish is also one of the healthiest foods recommended for gallstone sufferers. Fish contains omega-3s which can help reduce the risk of gallstones. You can choose types of fish that are lower in fat content such as cod or pollock.

You can also eat fish with higher fat such as salmon and tuna. However, if gallstones are causing pain, you should reduce or avoid consuming them altogether. Also stay away from consumption of canned fish, especially those given oil.

7. Nuts

Not only do they contain high fiber and healthy fats, nuts also contain sterols. Sterols are compounds that can block the body from absorbing more cholesterol, so consuming them will help protect the body from the formation of gallstones.

Its usefulness has also been shown in a study at the end of 2004 conducted by researchers from Harvard University. It appears that consumption of nuts as much as 5 ounces or more per week can reduce the risk of gallstones by 30 percent.

Those are the various types of food that are safe for consumption for sufferers of gallstones. Please note, the way of processing food is also very important. We recommend that you cook food by roasting or boiling.

If you still have questions about safe foods or need advice about your daily diet, contact your doctor or nutritionist for the best solution.