Patients with gallstones need to be more selective in choosing foods. This is because there are types of food that are good for relieving and preventing recurrence of gallstone symptoms, but there are also foods that can worsen this condition.
The gallbladder is a small organ located behind the liver. Its function is to collect the bile produced by the liver. When food enters the intestine, the gallbladder will channel bile into the intestine to help digest fat.
When stones are formed in the gallbladder, bile discharge can be obstructed, causing gallstone symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
The formation of gallstones is more risky to occur in people who often consume fatty foods, suffer from obesity, often smoke, have high cholesterol, or experience drastic weight loss in a short time. In addition, pregnant women, people who consume certain drugs (for example birth control pills), or sufferers of liver disease are also more at risk of developing gallstones.
Good Food for Gallstones
Gallstones can be treated with medication or surgery. There is no specific diet or diet that can eliminate gallstones. However, consumption of the following foods can relieve symptoms of gallstones and prevent their formation in the future:
1. Vegetables and fruits
Patients with gallstones are advised to increase the intake of fiber that can be obtained from vegetables and fruits. Besides being rich in fiber, both of these foods also contain lots of antioxidants, magnesium, and vitamin C which are thought to prevent the formation of gallstones.
2. Whole grains
Whole grains are also a good food group for gallstones. Foods that include whole grains include wheat, barley, oats, brown rice, and cereals.
3. Fish oil and olive oil
Omega-3-rich fish oil can help reduce the risk of gallstones. Consumption of fish oil and olive oil can also help empty the gallbladder in a healthy and regular way.
4. Low-fat meat
Red meat that is high in fat is generally not a good food for people with gallstones. Therefore, replace red meat with skinless chicken or fish, because both of these foods contain less fat.
5. Other foods
Other foods that are also good for alleviating and preventing gallstones are tofu, tempeh, nuts, and milk and its processed products (such as yogurt). However, milk consumed must be low in fat.
Although these foods are safe for consumption, you are not advised to eat large portions at once. It can cause bloating which actually aggravates the symptoms of gallstones. You are advised to eat small portions but more often.
Be careful also in consuming vegetables that contain lots of gas, such as broccoli and cabbage, because these vegetables can make flatulence.
Bad Food for Gallstones
Foods that are high in trans fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol should be avoided. When the cholesterol content in the bile is high, the cholesterol can precipitate and cause the formation of gallstones. Examples of foods that are bad for people with gallstones are:
Processed meat and red meat that is high in fat
Bacon, sausages, ham, burgers, and chicken skin contain lots of saturated fat, especially when cooked by frying. These foods can increase the risk of gallstones forming and worsen the symptoms of existing gallstones.
Fried
Foods that are processed by frying, such as fried potatoes, potato chips, and fried chicken, and coconut milk dishes are not recommended for consumption by patients with gallstones. This is because these foods contain a lot of fat and oil, so that they can aggravate the symptoms of gallstones.
Refined sugar
Processed sugar contained in many cakes, donuts, chocolate, and soft drinks. Research shows that these foods and drinks can increase the risk of gallstones.
In addition to the above foods, milk or dairy products that are high in fat, such as ice cream, cheese and butter, should also be limited by people suffering from gallstones.
Choosing the right food for gallstones sufferers can relieve symptoms and prevent this disease from reappearing. However, if the gallstones symptoms still recur or even get worse, for example, appear severe pain in the upper right abdomen or changes in skin color and eyes become yellow (jaundice), immediately consult a doctor to get treatment.
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