Gallbladder is a storehouse of bile, which is produced by liver for digestion of dietary fats. It plays an important role in our digestive system. This article will recommend foods that can be consumed by a gallbladder disease patient.
Gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ beneath the liver that stores the bile which is generated by the liver. Bile is a highly essential gastric juice which helps to digest the fats that we consume. The gallbladder secretes bile through a common bile duct, which connects the bladder and liver to the small intestine. Sometimes, a malfunctioning of this organ can lead to gallbladder disease. Here are a few facts about the disease and a recommended food intake to quickly cure the ailment.
Facts About Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder disease is commonly known as gallstones. A person’s liver and gallbladder can get overworked, if he regularly consume a lot of fatty foods. When a gallbladder gets affected, gallstones start developing through crystallization of cholesterol and bile salts. As the bile duct gets blocked with gallstones, the amount of bile secreted significantly drops. As a result, digestion of fats gets directly affected. People severely affected with this problem, experience chronic abdominal pain. Severe cases need surgical remedies. For milder problems, doctors recommend a change in one’s diet.
Diet For a Faster Recovery
Basically, a gallstone patient needs to follow a low-fat diet. Avoiding meat, especially red meat is extremely crucial. Another important thing to remember is to eat small amounts of food throughout the day, instead of stuffing yourself with large meals at one time.
Breakfast
- Apple, 1
- Banana, 1
- Whole wheat toast, 2 slices
- Jelly/jam, 1 tbsp.
- Margarine, 2 tsp.
- Black coffee, 1 cup (optional)
Lunch
- Vegetable soup, 1 bowl
- Lean hamburger, 1
- Lettuce, ½ bowl
- Sliced tomato, 1
- Fresh fruit salad, 1 small bowl
- Hamburger bun, 1
- Skimmed milk, 1 cup
Dinner
- Herbed rice, 1 cup
- Broccoli with low-fat cheese sauce, 1 small bowl
- Hard dinner roll, 1
- Carrot salad, 1 cup
- Strawberry yogurt, 1 cup
Foods Allowed and Prohibited
Vegetables and Fruits
✔ Fresh green vegetables
✔ Fresh fruits and juices
Bakery Products
✔ Whole grain breads
✔ Fat-free cakes and cookies
✘ Bread with cheese
✘ Biscuits
✘ Waffles
✘ Muffins
✘ Sweet rolls
✘ Donuts
✘ Cream puffs
Dairy Products
✔ Skimmed milk
✔ Cream cheese
✔ Non fat frozen yogurt
✘ Whole milk
✘ Dairy products made from whole milk
✘ Butter
✘ Cheese
✘ Ice creams
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Foods
✔ Oatmeal
✔ Fat-free pancakes
✔ Low-fat snack crackers
✔ Popcorn sans butter
✔ Almonds
✔ Peanuts
✔ Jams/marmalade
✔ Maple syrup
✔ Plain pasta
✔ Fish
✔ Skinless poultry products
✔ Lean cuts of beef (max. 2 oz.)
✘ Eggs
✘ Pancakes
✘ Potato chips
✘ Creamy soups
✘ Fried rice
✘ Stir fried noodles
✘ Fried vegetables with cream and cheese
✘ Red meat products
Desserts and Confectioneries
✔ Hard candy
✔ Jelly beans
✘ Chocolates and pastries
✘ Puddings made from whole milk
The key to cure a gallbladder disease is consuming a low-fat, and fiber-rich diet. You can create your very own diet plan by browsing through the above mentioned permissible foods. You may find it difficult to give up your favorite foods. But on a brighter side, a low-fat diet will help you in losing weight and maintaining physical fitness! Need I say more?
